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How often does a car need a safety inspection in Europe?
Vehicle safety inspection every 2 years. The commonly recommended range is every 1 to 2 years, set by country and the car's age. Driving past the inspection date risks a fine, and a failed insurance claim if the car was not roadworthy.
Most European countries require cars to pass a periodic roadworthiness test at an approved centre. The first test comes three or four years after first registration, then every two years, and some countries test older cars every year. The date is set by the car, not by when you bought it.
Why does your car’s safety inspection matter?
Driving past the inspection date risks a fine, and a failed insurance claim if the car was not roadworthy.
What happens if you skip your car’s safety inspection?
Driving with an expired inspection can mean a fine, a police stop that ends with the car parked, and an insurer questioning a claim if the car was not roadworthy. In several countries the car also cannot be sold or re-registered without a valid test.
What does the professional actually do?
- Checks brakes, steering, suspension, lights, tyres and the body for corrosion
- Tests exhaust emissions against the limit for the engine type
- Reads fault codes and checks safety systems such as airbags and ABS
- Records the mileage, which protects buyers against clocked cars
- Issues a pass certificate or a list of defects with a deadline to fix them
How do you choose someone qualified?
Only approved test centres can issue the certificate. Book early in the month it is due, and bring the registration document. If the car fails, most countries give you a set period to repair and return for a cheaper retest.
What does it take?
How do you know your car’s safety inspection is overdue?
- The date printed on your registration papers or the sticker on the plate or windscreen
- A warning light that has stayed on, which will usually fail the test
- Worn tyres, a cracked windscreen in the driver view, or a blown bulb
What changes how often you need to do it?
- The car’s age: older cars are tested more often in the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden
- Fuel type: in the Netherlands, diesel cars follow a different schedule from petrol and electric
- Commercial use, taxis and camper vans often have shorter intervals
When should you stop and call someone?
Always. Only an approved inspection centre can issue the certificate.
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Get the free appDoes this differ in the US, UK, Australia or Canada?
United States
There is no federal inspection. Periodic safety inspections are set by each state; many states have none, some require only an emissions test, and a few require a yearly safety inspection. Your state DMV lists the rules.
United Kingdom
Cars need an MOT when they are three years old and every year after that. Maintainly tracks it with the Vehicle registration and MOT task, and the DVSA offers a free reminder by email or text.
Australia
Rules are state based. New South Wales requires a yearly safety check (the pink slip) for cars over five years old, while Queensland and Victoria require a roadworthy certificate when a car is sold.
Canada
Rules are provincial. Some provinces require a safety inspection only when a used car changes owner, and a few require periodic inspections for older vehicles. Check your provincial transport ministry.
What about in Europe?
Germany
The Hauptuntersuchung (HU), done by TÜV, DEKRA, GTÜ or KÜS, is due 36 months after first registration and then every 24 months. The coloured sticker on the rear plate shows the month and year.
France
The contrôle technique is due within six months before the car’s fourth anniversary, then every two years. The date is on the registration certificate sticker.
Netherlands
The APK is due at four years, then every two years, and every year once a petrol or electric car is eight years old. RDW sends a reminder letter.
Spain
The ITV is due at four years, every two years until the car is ten, then every year. The windscreen sticker shows the next due month.
Italy
The revisione is due four years after first registration, then every two years, at a Motorizzazione office or an authorised workshop.
Sweden
Besiktning is due 36 months after first registration, then after 24 months, then every 14 months. There is no official reminder, so the date in Maintainly is worth keeping.
Norway
The EU-kontroll is due four years after first registration, then every two years. Statens vegvesen publishes the deadline for each registration number.
Denmark
Syn is due four years after first registration, then every two years, at an approved test centre.
Common questions
Why does your car’s safety inspection matter?
Driving past the inspection date risks a fine, and a failed insurance claim if the car was not roadworthy.
What happens if you skip your car’s safety inspection?
Driving past the inspection date risks a fine, and a failed insurance claim if the car was not roadworthy. Skipping it does not usually fail immediately, which is exactly why it gets forgotten: the consequence arrives months later as a repair bill rather than as an obvious fault.
Does your car’s safety inspection differ by country?
Germany: HU (TÜV) at 36 months, then every 24. France: contrôle technique at 4 years, then every 2. Netherlands: APK at 4 years, then every 2, yearly after 8 for petrol and electric cars. Spain: ITV at 4 years, every 2 until 10, then yearly. Italy: revisione at 4 years, then every 2. Sweden: besiktning at 36 months, then 24, then every 14. Norway: EU-kontroll at 4 years, then every 2. Denmark: syn at 4 years, then every 2.
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