Your ageing car may not face annual roadworthiness checks after all. The European Parliament’s transport committee has rejected the Commission’s proposal to shorten inspection intervals for vehicles older than ten years. Instead, the standard test would expand to cover airbags, safety recalls, and electric vehicle components for the first time.
The Transport and Tourism Committee adopted its position on Tuesday by 30 votes to 11. MEPs argued that moving from biennial to annual inspections was not proportionate and lacked evidence it would reduce accidents.
The vote gives Parliament a mandate to negotiate with EU member states. The full Parliament must approve it at its mid-May plenary before trilogue talks begin.
Safer roads, not more paperwork
Advanced driver assistance systems, such as airbags and automatic emergency brakes, are not currently subject to regular checks. Under the new rules, they would be, along with components specific to electric and hybrid vehicles.
Cars that have not complied with an outstanding mandatory safety recall would not pass inspection. MEPs also backed including particle number and nitrogen oxide emissions measurements, though on a voluntary basis.
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To tackle fraud on the second-hand car market, repair garages would have to record odometer readings. For connected vehicles, manufacturers would upload readings to a national database, but only for repairs lasting more than one hour.
Cross-border checks and motorcycles
Drivers living in a different EU country from where their car is registered could get it inspected locally. This would result in a temporary EU roadworthiness certificate valid for six months, after which the next inspection would have to take place in the country of registration. MEPs also backed mandatory periodic inspections for heavy motorcycles over 125cc, including electric ones, removing existing flexibility for member states to opt out. The committee adopted its position on vehicle registration documents, the other part of the roadworthiness package, in April.
No annual general inspections for vehicles over ten years old and no additional testing requirements for light commercial vehicles: this sends a clear signal of relief for consumers and, in particular, for small and medium-sized enterprises.
— Jens Gieseke, rapporteur, European Parliament (EPP/DEU)
Rapporteur Jens Gieseke (EPP/DEU) said the aim was to improve safety without burdening drivers or small businesses. “No annual general inspections for vehicles over ten years old and no additional testing requirements for light commercial vehicles: this sends a clear signal of relief for consumers and, in particular, for small and medium-sized enterprises,” he said.
