Imagine having to undergo a technical inspection every year simply because your car is more than ten years old. What seems unlikely today could, however, become a new requirement. A proposal from the European Commission is rekindling the debate. What does it specifically provide? And who will be affected? We explain.
Classic cars in the sights of European authorities
In France, a car must pass its first technical inspection after 4 years , then every two years . This frequency allows for the essential safety elements to be checked: brakes, steering, emissions, lighting, etc.
But vehicles over 10 years old represent nearly 60% of the French vehicle fleet , and even more so in some European countries. More prone to breakdowns, technical failures and pollutant emissions, they are attracting increasing attention . The European Commission is therefore considering imposing an annual technical inspection for these vehicles , in order to better prevent risks.
Road safety and pollution: the stated objectives
The European Union pursues a dual objective:
- Reduce the number of road deaths by 50% by 2030 ,
- Strengthen the fight against urban pollution .
In 2024, nearly 19,800 people lost their lives on European roads. Poorly maintained cars, especially older ones, are often identified as an aggravating factor .
The reform also aims to strengthen the detection of harmful emissions (nitrogen oxides, fine particles, etc.), which are often poorly measured during conventional technical inspections. Used vehicles will therefore have to comply with stricter environmental standards.
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