When to Get a Vehicle Inspection: 2026 Guide

The vehicle inspection (controle technique) is a legal requirement for all motor vehicle owners in France. Poor planning can lead to vehicle immobilisation, a fine or complications with insurance. Knowing the exact deadlines and conditions helps avoid these situations.

The First Vehicle Inspection: When Is It Mandatory?

For a new vehicle, the first vehicle inspection must be carried out in the 6 months preceding the 4th anniversary of its first registration. This initial registration date appears on the vehicle registration certificate (field B).

In practice, if a car was first registered on 15 March 2022, the window for the first inspection opens on 15 September 2025 and closes on 15 March 2026. Missing this deadline constitutes an offence.

This 4-year rule applies to virtually all passenger vehicles, whether a city car, an SUV or a premium saloon. It also covers motorhomes under 3.5 tonnes and, since April 2024, powered two-wheelers.

It is advisable to use this first inspection as an opportunity to check other compliance requirements, such as the vehicle’s Crit’Air sticker, whose class affects access rights in low-emission zones.

The Periodic Vehicle Inspection: Frequency and Deadlines

Once the first inspection has been passed, renewal takes place every 2 years for passenger cars and motorhomes. This frequency is set by the Highway Code and applies uniformly, regardless of the vehicle’s age or mileage.

Two important clarifications on deadline calculation:

• The new deadline is calculated from the anniversary of the previous inspection, not from the date of the next test. Having the inspection done 2 months early does not shorten the next interval.
• No official grace period exists beyond the expiry date. From the day after expiry, the vehicle is in breach of regulations.

For vehicles over 10 years old, the frequency remains the same: 2 years between each inspection. Some owners mistakenly believe that older cars require annual tests, which is not the case for standard passenger vehicles.

Addressing mechanical maintenance before the test significantly improves the chances of passing. A frequent area of concern is the condition of the timing belt, whose deterioration can trigger a re-test if visible wear is detected during the inspection.

Special Case: Used Vehicles

Buying a used car changes the inspection schedule depending on the vehicle’s status at the time of the transaction:

• Purchase from a professional dealer: the dealership or professional seller must provide an inspection report less than 6 months old if the vehicle is more than 4 years old. The cost is borne by the seller. The buyer then has the standard 2-year period for the next inspection.
• Private sale: the seller must provide an inspection report less than 6 months old. If the report is older or a re-test is pending, the sale remains legal but the buyer must regularise the situation immediately after purchase.
• New vehicle bought used before 4 years: no inspection exists yet. The buyer must comply with the 4-year deadline calculated from the original registration date.

Before any purchase, it is recommended to review the vehicle inspection history (result, recorded faults, any re-test) by requesting the report from the centre that carried out the last inspection.

What Happens If the Vehicle Inspection Expires?

Driving with an expired vehicle inspection carries several concrete risks.

Legally, a fixed fine of 135 euros can be issued during a roadside check. The vehicle can also be immobilised if its general condition poses an obvious safety hazard.

Insurance-wise, insurance contracts are not automatically voided by an expired inspection. However, in the event of a claim, the insurer can cite the driver’s fault to apply a higher excess or, in certain cases, refuse coverage entirely.

For sale, a vehicle with an expired inspection cannot legally be sold between private individuals without prior regularisation.

The steps to regularise the situation are straightforward: book an appointment at an approved centre and present the vehicle. If the result is favourable, the vehicle can return to the road immediately. The choice of engine type also affects exhaust emission results: for a detailed look at the differences between diesel and petrol on this specific criterion, a comparative guide covers the thresholds applicable to each fuel type.

How to Find Out the Date of the Next Inspection

Several sources make it easy to retrieve the next inspection deadline:

1. The vehicle registration certificate: the next inspection date is printed on the back.
2. The adhesive sticker on the windshield: it shows the validity date of the last inspection carried out.
3. The inspection report: the document issued by the centre after each test states the next deadline.
4. The approved inspection centre: a simple phone or online enquiry can retrieve the vehicle’s inspection history.

Some approved centres offer SMS or email reminders a few weeks before the deadline. This optional service makes deadline management easier for owners of multiple vehicles.

What Inspection Centres Check During the Test

A standard vehicle inspection covers more than 130 checkpoints, grouped into several main categories:

Faults are classified into three levels: minor (no re-test required), major (re-test mandatory within 2 months) and critical (immediate ban on driving until the fault is rectified). Since the 2018 reform, a single critical fault is sufficient to prohibit the vehicle from being driven.

Preparing the vehicle before the test is the most effective way to avoid a re-test: check fluid levels, inspect all lights, verify tyre pressure and ensure no warning lights are showing on the dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions