The European Union is preparing a revision of the rules for periodic vehicle inspections, in a legislative process that has already advanced in the European Parliament and now moves to negotiations with the Council. The objective is to update the technical inspection rules, strengthen road safety, and combat fraud in the automobile market, including odometer tampering. The European Parliament approved in May 2026 the mandate to start negotiations with the Council, with 369 votes in favor, 126 against, and 84 abstentions.
Among the main changes under discussion is tighter control of odometers, with workshops being required to register the odometer reading of cars and vans, and connected vehicle manufacturers potentially being required to send these readings to national databases. The European Commission may also create a European portal to explain to buyers how to freely consult a vehicle's mileage history before purchase, aiming to combat fraud in used car sales between EU countries.
The revision also provides for facilitating the carrying out of inspections in another Member State, allowing a vehicle to undergo inspection in a country other than the one where it is registered, receiving a temporary European certificate valid for six months. Inspection certificates may be issued in electronic format through the European Digital Identity Wallet.
Parliament rejected the initial Commission proposal to shorten the inspection interval for cars and vans over ten years old, from an inspection every two years to an annual inspection, arguing that the current frequency should not be reduced. MEPs also want to strengthen motorcycle inspections, making periodic inspection mandatory for engines with displacement above 125 cubic centimeters. There is still no date for the application of the new rules, with the legislative process not yet concluded.
