EU Proposal for Annual Car Checks Faces Roadblock, Likely to Be Scrapped
Brussels, Belgium - november 24, 2025 – A European Commission proposal to mandate annual roadworthiness checks for vehicles over ten years old is facing significant opposition from member states and is now highly unlikely to be adopted in its original form. The plan, initially presented as a measure to enhance traffic safety, has sparked concerns over cost and impact on lower-income motorists.
The proposed scheme would have required cars older than a decade to undergo inspection every year, a change from the current practice of checks every two or three years in most EU countries. This shift drew immediate skepticism, with several governments voicing concerns about the burden on citizens.
“The average age of cars in France is eleven years, meaning roughly half of our vehicle fleet would be affected,” stated French Transport Minister philippe Tabarot, highlighting the potential impact on a large segment of the population, particularly those unable to afford newer vehicles.
On November 21st, the proposal was decisively rejected by a majority of member states’ deputy ambassadors, according to reports from Contexte and Le Figaro. Transport ministers are scheduled to formally confirm this position on December 4th.
This Council decision establishes a preliminary political stance within the EU’s legislative process, setting the stage for upcoming negotiations with the European parliament. While the Parliament’s position remains unknown, the Council’s strong rejection significantly diminishes the likelihood of the proposal’s approval.
despite not being entirely abandoned, support for the annual check requirement has waned considerably. While compromises could emerge during “trilogue” negotiations involving the Parliament, Council, and Commission, a broad, EU-wide annual inspection for older vehicles appears increasingly improbable.
For European motorists, this signals that existing vehicle inspection regulations will likely remain in place for the foreseeable future. The prospect of a widespread expansion of the control scheme now appears less relevant than initially anticipated.
