With the ambitious goal of reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on European roads by 50% by 2030, the European Commission unveiled this month a series of proposals designed to strengthen inspections of vehicles in circulation. Among them, one particularly scrutinized measure: making annual technical inspections mandatory for passenger vehicles over 10 years old.
An existing European framework
Currently, European regulations on technical inspections are defined primarily by Directive 2014/45/EU of 3 April 2014 on the roadworthiness of motor vehicles. This directive requires Member States to regularly inspect passenger vehicles, with a minimum frequency: an initial inspection four years after first registration, then every two years. However, it leaves countries free to introduce stricter rules.
France, for example, has aligned itself with these minimum requirements: after four years, a car must undergo a technical inspection every two years. But this system could soon change.
Why target vehicles over 10 years old?
According to data from the European Road Safety Observatory, older vehicles are disproportionately involved in serious accidents. On average, a car over 10 years old has a 30% higher risk of fatal accidents than a more recent vehicle. Mechanical wear, obsolete safety equipment, and the increase in polluting emissions with age are all factors highlighted by Brussels.
In addition to safety, the Commission also emphasizes environmental issues. In line with Regulation (EU) 2019/631 setting strict standards for CO₂ emissions from new vehicles, the increased inspection of older vehicles would allow for better monitoring of actual pollutant emissions, particularly in terms of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particles.
A measure that would affect more than 22 million vehicles in France
According to the latest statistics from the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, more than half of the French vehicle fleet is more than 10 years old. In concrete terms, this would represent around 22 million vehicles affected by this new obligation, a very large proportion of French motorists.
The cost of a technical inspection, currently around 78 euros on average according to the DGCCRF, would therefore weigh more heavily on household budgets. For some, particularly in rural areas, this additional annual expense could be perceived as an unfair financial burden.
Adoption far from certain
To enter into force, this proposal will have to be validated by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, then transposed by each Member State. A process that could take several years. In France, for example, the introduction of technical inspections for motorized two-wheelers (imposed by European Directive 2014/45/EU but long postponed) required nearly four years of debate and adjustments before being effectively implemented in 2024.
Member States will also be able to negotiate specific arrangements according to their national circumstances, as permitted by Annex III of Directive 2014/45/EU concerning inspection methods and criteria.
In substance, the European proposal is part of a global drive to strengthen safety and combat automobile pollution. But in terms of form, it risks fueling the discontent of some motorists, already weakened by the increase in transport costs.
In France, several road user associations have already expressed their opposition, such as the French Federation of Angry Motorcyclists (FFMC), which fears a "financial bludgeoning" of owners of older vehicles, who are often less well-off. Conversely, NGOs such as Transport & Environment welcome an initiative that is "essential to save lives and protect the planet".
The debate has only just begun! And as is often the case with European regulations, finding a balance between harmonizing standards and respecting national specificities is likely to be tricky.
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