Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder (N-VA) wants to reorganize and simplify the mandatory car inspection in the region. She wants it to be more consumer-friendly and offer higher-quality service.
According to the Minister, the current organisational model of the vehicle inspection system in Flanders no longer meets contemporary citizens’ expectations regarding public authorities and service providers. Moreover, the existing framework constitutes an obstacle to free-market competition, preventing potential new entrants from entering the system.
The key changes in her concept vision are the possibility for garage owners to conduct inspections (now available only at certified technical inspection centers) and the elimination of the mandatory technical inspection for second-hand cars at the time of sale. Other changes include the abolition of a mandatory car inspection when a car has a tow bar and changes to the inspection periodicity.
In her comment, the Minister argues that the ‘gold plating’ of the current structure has to end: “In the past, the rules in Flanders were more stringent than Europe required; this ‘gold plating’ has to end. Useless and frustrating extra rules will disappear; only rules with real added value (safety, air quality, etc.) will remain. Less obligations when possible, more service where necessary.”
“We have already started with the jurisdictional preparation of all intended changes; we hope to land in 2028,” De Ridder points out.
Several sources of questions and criticism
When the Minister presented her concept vision in the Flemish Parliament, acceptance was fairly high. But many MPs also had questions. “How can we ensure car safety in a market where second-hand buying and selling are booming, and where mandatory inspections no longer exist? And what about the so-called ‘Car-Pass’, a system that assesses the quality of second-hand cars, introduced in Belgium quite a while ago? Many neighboring countries envy us in this respect.”
Of course, sector federation Traxio, which regroups garage owners and other mobility professionals, is not opposed to inspections conducted by all professionals in the sector. About how these inspections will be quality-controlled by a neutral/official instance, there’s still a lot to be said.
A federal colleague of the Minister, Rob Beenders (Vooruit), responsible for (among other things) consumer protection, isn’t entirely persuaded by De Ridder’s plans. Like the consumer organisation TestAankoop/TestAchats, he has doubts about abolishing the mandatory second-hand car inspection.
Importing seriously damaged cars
His doubts are supported by a recent survey of carVertical investigating the import of seriously damaged cars into Belgium from other European countries. The survey shows that 3% of the cars imported into Belgium have been involved in severe accidents, reducing their market value by more than 50%. Those cars are often repaired with cheap, non-conforming, low-quality parts, while their histories remain vague or hidden.
The rules for exporting and importing cars, which have in fact been declared ‘total loss’ by insurance companies in the country of origine can be situated in a grey zone. It’s a practice that results in the sudden disappearance of approximately 3.5 million written-off cars from EU registration records.
Some of these cars are being registered in another country, and others are being sold for parts that are often unsafe. Due to different rules regarding deregistration and technical inspection, such total-loss cars can be simply registered in another country.
There are significant differences between European countries in the percentage of heavily damaged cars on the market. Italy leads, with 7.8%, followed by Germany (7.7%), Sweden (5.8%), and Spain (4.5%). All countries from which many second-hand cars are exported.
“There is no uniform European system to check the history of an imported car,” says Matas Buzelis from carVertical. A history report is the only way for potential buyers to learn about the car’s entire history, but that’s not enough. We advise them to go and test drive the car and ask for a workshop inspection.” The technical inspection of second-hand cars in Belgium is a big aid here.
Safety first
Recent data from GOCA, the sector federation for car inspection, shows that the inspection of second-hand cars and LCVs in 2025 (more than 480,000 in total) resulted in some 25% of them being recalled for a second visit because of anomalies.
2% of all vehicles inspected were rejected because of a dangerous defect. That’s 26 vehicles per day or more than 800 per month. 17% of all vehicles received a temporary ‘red card’ due to a serious defect, amounting to 228 vehicles per day. The most common defects are linked to tires, brakes, and suspension, all crucial safety elements.
The second-hand inspection, as it works today, remains the most efficient filter to prevent safety and environmental risks associated with vehicle registration and to protect consumers.
GOCA also refers to an independent study by Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schulz (Zeppelin University, Germany), based on Flemish data. Schulz concludes that relaxations in the technical inspection offer only limited private benefits but lead structurally to more accidents, higher societal costs, and greater environmental impact.
Furthermore, GOCA points out that the planned changes are also endangering other policy objectives, such as climate resilience and consumer protection.
Financial impact
Finally, GOCA is also noticing that the changes will have a substantial financial impact at the Flemish policy level. GOCA estimates that this will lead to a structural loss (annually) of more than €27.5 million and a one-time cost of €45 million due to 500 jobs lost in the inspection centers.
Before the Flemish government takes a decision, GOCA insists on further analysis of the various consequences and a thorough, structural consultation with all parties concerned. To be continued.
