{"id":197441,"date":"2026-11-08T09:00:51","date_gmt":"2026-11-08T08:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newmobility.news\/?p=197441"},"modified":"2026-11-07T11:11:01","modified_gmt":"2026-11-07T10:11:01","slug":"goca-barometer-3-why-headlights-drive-motorists-up-the-wall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newmobility.news\/en\/2026\/11\/08\/goca-barometer-3-why-headlights-drive-motorists-up-the-wall\/","title":{"rendered":"GOCA Barometer (3): why headlights drive motorists up the wall"},"content":{"rendered":"

Headlights are the most frequently recorded defect in Flemish car inspections, affecting almost 109,000 vehicles. Yet GOCA acknowledges that a car can fail a headlight test and subsequently pass without repairs. How consistent are the measurements, and how serious are the faults?<\/p>\n

A red inspection certificate for a slightly misaligned headlight, worn windscreen wipers or a defective rear fog lamp: few things frustrate motorists more than having to return to the inspection center for a seemingly minor problem, often after an additional garage visit and at extra cost.<\/p>\n

According to GOCA’s 2025 figures, 65% of formal complaints concerned disagreement with or a lack of understanding of inspection results. Headlight adjustment, tire tread, windscreen wipers, and emissions testing have also prompted questions in the Flemish Parliament.<\/p>\n

The first GOCA Barometer, covering more than two million periodic inspections, shows that headlights are the most frequently recorded defect category: 108,879 vehicles (5.3% of those with a known model). Exhaust emissions (57,807), wheels and tires (54,374), and suspension (46,129) follow.<\/p>\n

But how many of these faults pose an immediate danger, and how many could be corrected without another inspection appointment?<\/p>\n

Only one in seventy received a driving ban<\/h4>\n
\"\"
Only 1.4% of cars inspected in Flanders received an immediate driving ban, while another 16% required follow-up \/GOCA Vlaanderen \u2013 AI-assisted<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of the 2,072,410 vehicles analyzed, 360,981 (17.4%) had defects that required follow-up or resulted in a driving prohibition. However, just 29,980 cars, or 1.4%, received an immediate driving ban.<\/p>\n

That does not mean the remaining defects were harmless. Faulty brakes, tires, steering, or suspension can pose significant risks without an immediate prohibition.<\/p>\n

GOCA recorded 14,480 vehicles with service-brake performance defects and another 13,314 with mechanical brake problems. These categories can overlap, and the barometer does not distinguish the severity of individual faults.<\/p>\n

Failed today, passed tomorrow?<\/h4>\n
\"\"
Headlights are by far the most frequently recorded defect category in Flemish car inspections, followed by emissions, wheels and tires, and suspension. Individual vehicles can have several defects \/GOCA Vlaanderen \u2013 NMN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

GOCA acknowledged in November 2023 that a car can fail for incorrect headlight alignment, drive around the block and subsequently pass without repairs.<\/p>\n

According to the federation, even a small bump can shift a headlight beam that was just outside the permitted tolerance enough to produce a different result.<\/p>\n

GOCA maintains that the initial rejection remains justified: headlights that point too high can dazzle oncoming drivers, while those that point too low reduce visibility at night. Nevertheless, the phenomenon raises questions about the reproducibility of borderline measurements.<\/p>\n

The barometer does not reveal how many headlight defects involve marginal alignment errors, defective bulbs or malfunctioning leveling systems, nor how many vehicles failed solely because of headlights.<\/p>\n

From vacuum controls to modern LEDs<\/h4>\n

Many cars use manual or automatic headlight-leveling systems to compensate for changes in vehicle loading. Additional passengers or luggage can alter the car’s pitch, requiring the beam to be lowered.<\/p>\n

GOCA recommends checking alignment with the vehicle unloaded, one person behind the wheel, and manual adjustment controls in their zero positions. But the technology varies considerably.<\/p>\n

Some Mercedes-Benz models from the early 1980s already featured vacuum-operated leveling systems. Inspectors commonly ask drivers to switch off the engine during lighting checks, which can leave these systems without sufficient vacuum to function properly.<\/p>\n

An inspector unfamiliar with the technology could mistake an inactive adjustment control for a defect, even though it functions when the engine is running.<\/p>\n

Modern systems pose different challenges. Automotive lighting specialist HELLA has documented a specific adjustment issue affecting Skoda Enyaqs built between 2021 and 2024: their automatic leveling system must be reset to its reference position before mechanical adjustment.<\/p>\n

As reported in part two of our series, 21.6% of inspected Enyaqs had headlight defects, compared with just 3.4% of Volkswagen ID.4s, despite sharing the same electric platform. The HELLA bulletin offers a possible explanation worth investigating, although it does not establish the cause of the difference.<\/p>\n

Is Belgium stricter than its neighbors?<\/h4>\n

Headlight problems are not unique to Flanders. Germany’s T\u00dcV Report 2026, based on approximately 9.5 million inspections, also identifies dipped headlights as the most frequently defective component. Major defects generally require repairs and reinspection within one month.<\/p>\n

Britain’s MOT manual likewise checks headlight alignment but explicitly instructs inspectors to consider the driver’s adjustment control when a beam appears too low. It also recognizes that automatic leveling systems may require specific testing conditions.<\/p>\n

European regulations provide a common framework, with significant headlight misalignment classified as a major defect. This does not prove Belgium is uniquely strict, but it highlights the importance of consistent testing procedures and familiarity with vehicle technology.<\/p>\n

Rear fog lamps are another potential source of frustration, particularly on older or imported vehicles. Contrary to popular belief, they are not exclusively mandatory in Belgium: international UNECE regulations require them on vehicles within their scope, though older-car requirements depend on the vehicle’s original approval and registration.<\/p>\n

Could simple defects be fixed immediately?<\/h4>\n

Since September 2026, Flanders has extended the reinspection period after a major defect from 15 days to two months. Eligible minor defects can receive a green certificate without mandatory reinspection.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, headlight alignment faults can still trigger a red certificate and another visit. The \u20ac16.40 reinspection fee is in addition on the original inspection charge and excludes any garage costs.<\/p>\n

Allowing minor headlight adjustments during inspections is technically feasible and already permitted under Britain’s MOT system. Flanders’ Mobility Council (MORA) has recommended a similar approach, explicitly citing headlight alignment.<\/p>\n

More complex LED systems may still require specialist intervention. The challenge is to allow straightforward corrections while safeguarding the independence of inspections.<\/p>\n

Inspections can already take place at approved garages under Flanders’ Inspection on Location (KOV) system, but only through inspectors employed by recognized inspection organizations. Planned reforms for 2027\u20132028 aim to admit additional independent providers, subject to accreditation and safeguards separating inspection from repair activities.<\/p>\n

How consistent are borderline measurements?<\/h4>\n

The GOCA Barometer provides valuable information about Flanders’ vehicle fleet, but leaves important questions unanswered.<\/p>\n

Would a car rejected for marginal headlight misalignment receive the same result if immediately retested under identical conditions? How consistently are different measuring devices and inspection lanes calibrated?<\/p>\n

A controlled repeatability study could help establish whether borderline measurements are reproducible. Determining whether motorists actually had repairs performed between separate inspections would be harder.<\/p>\n

These questions become particularly relevant as Flanders moves toward less frequent inspections and prepares to abolish mandatory pre-sale checks for used vehicles<\/a> already registered in Belgium from January 2027.<\/p>\n

Although the reforms aim to reduce costs and inconvenience, fewer mandatory checks could also allow serious defects to remain undetected for longer. That makes the accuracy of the remaining inspections all the more important.<\/p>\n

The challenge is to reliably identify genuinely dangerous vehicles while proportionately addressing minor, easily corrected problems. After all, a red inspection certificate should signal a problem requiring attention, not confusion about how a vehicle’s technology works.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Headlights are the most frequently recorded defect in Flemish car inspections, affecting almost 109,000 vehicles. Yet GOCA acknowledges that a car can fail a headlight test and subsequently pass without repairs. How consistent are the measurements, and how serious are the faults? A red inspection certificate for a slightly misaligned headlight, worn windscreen wipers or […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":197424,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{title}\r\n\r\n{excerpt}\r\n\r\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[77170,25,31,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-197441","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-belgium","category-legislation","category-road-safety","category-top-stories-today"],"acf":[],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1",2560,1707,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1",640,427,true],"large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1",640,427,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?fit=1536%2C1024&ssl=1",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?fit=2048%2C1366&ssl=1",2048,1366,true],"trp-custom-language-flag":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?fit=18%2C12&ssl=1",18,12,true],"related-thumb":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1",640,480,true],"gform-image-choice-sm":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1",300,300,true],"gform-image-choice-md":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1",400,400,true],"gform-image-choice-lg":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1",600,600,true],"mailchimp":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?fit=560%2C373&ssl=1",560,373,true],"unipress-phone":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?resize=640%2C100&ssl=1",640,100,true],"unipress-tablet":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C240&ssl=1",1536,240,true],"unipress-tablet-portrait":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C180&ssl=1",1536,180,true],"unipress-tablet-landscape":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C180&ssl=1",2048,180,true],"unipress-smartphone":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C168&ssl=1",1080,168,true],"unipress-wide-screen":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newmobility.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/skoda-headlights-scaled.jpg?resize=2560%2C180&ssl=1",2560,180,true]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"

Headlights are the most frequently recorded defect in Flemish car inspections, affecting almost 109,000 vehicles. Yet GOCA acknowledges that a car can fail a headlight test and subsequently pass without repairs. How consistent are the measurements, and how serious are the faults? A red inspection certificate for a slightly misaligned headlight, worn windscreen wipers or a defective rear fog lamp: few things frustrate motorists more than having to return to the inspection center for a seemingly minor problem, often after an additional garage visit and at extra cost. According to GOCA’s 2025 figures, 65% of formal complaints concerned disagreement with…<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"Belgium<\/a>, Legislation<\/a>, Road safety<\/a>, Top Stories Today<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"Joris Van Roy","url":"https:\/\/newmobility.news\/en\/author\/jorisximcom-be\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","yoast_head":"\nGOCA Barometer (3): why headlights drive motorists up the wall - newmobility.news<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/newmobility.news\/en\/2026\/11\/08\/goca-barometer-3-why-headlights-drive-motorists-up-the-wall\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"GOCA Barometer (3): why headlights drive motorists up the wall - newmobility.news\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Headlights are the most frequently recorded defect in Flemish car inspections, affecting almost 109,000 vehicles. 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Yet GOCA acknowledges that a car can fail a headlight test and subsequently pass without repairs. How consistent are the measurements, and how serious are the faults? 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