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Car technical inspection in Luxembourg: process, laws and costs

Every vehicle in Luxembourg is required to undergo a technical inspection. This article provides information on the scheduling, locations and costs of such inspections.

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The control technique in Luxembourg or Car technical inspection, a mandatory and important procedure for all vehicle owners. This article will explain how to prepare for a technical inspection in order to pass it, where to go, and what to do if the car fails the technical inspection the first time.

What is technical inspection in Luxembourg?

Residents of Luxembourg must be prepared to undergo the Contrôle Technique (vehicle technical inspection) on their used cars at regular intervals.

All cars older than 4 years must undergo a technical inspection. If you are going to buy such a car, you will be asked to present a valid technical inspection certificate when registering it. Do not forget to collect it from the seller, otherwise the car will have to undergo the Contrôle Technique again. After a new vehicle becomes 4 years old, the technical inspection becomes inevitable.

There are several reasons why a car has to undergo this technical inspection:

Public safety: this procedure helps to ensure that the car is safe on the road for the driver and other people taking part in traffic;
Environmental impact: the car must meet certain requirements for the level of exhaust gases and the noise it produces.

Legal framework on contrôle technique in Luxembourg

Passing a technical inspection in Luxembourg is regulated by clear rules.

Аccording to the law in Luxembourg, every vehicle must undergo a technical inspection, four years after the date of registration. The next technical inspection should be in two more years, that is, for six-year-old cars. And then the test will have to be taken annually.

Let us consider a scenario in which a new car is purchased in 2022. According to the current regulations, the first contrôle technique is due in 2026, the second in 2028, and subsequently every year of ownership.

Which cars are affected by this technical test

Everyone who lives in Luxembourg and owns a vehicle that is 4 years old or older and whose technical certificate is about to expire.

Which vehicles are subject to regular inspection

Cars, motorcycles and trailers with a maximum authorized mass of between 750 kg and 3.5 tons. In addition, heavy goods vehicles, trailers over 3.5 tons, trailers for the transport of passengers, as well as vans and vehicles with fewer than nine seats, such as taxis, ambulances or rental cars, are subject to annual inspections.

Which vehicles do not require a Technical Inspection Certificate

Small trailers not designed to carry passengers with a maximum authorized mass of less than 750 kg, mopeds and light quad bikes, motorized vehicles that cannot travel at more than 25 km per hour, some tractors and historic vehicles first registered before 1 January 1950. However, they all require a valid certificate of conformity, which can be obtained from the SNCA (Société Nationale de Circulation Automobile) upon registration.

In which cases will the car have to undergo an extraordinary technical test

1. If the technical characteristics of the vehicle have been modified (increasing the vehicle's power, installing a body kit, etc.) 2. If the chassis has been repaired or rebuilt;after an accident requiring major repairs to the wheels, suspension, steering, brakes, etc. 3. According to specific instructions from a vehicle assessor or the police.

What parts of the vehicle are checked:

vehicle identification (chassis number, number plates);
environmental pollution (noise, exhaust gases);
brakes;
lights and reflectors;
wheels and tires, suspension;
chassis and chassis accessories;
seat belts;
vehicle steering;
visibility.

If the car was purchased abroad or the owner imported it to Luxembourg during a move, the roadworthiness test certificate of a vehicle previously registered in another EU Member State or in Switzerland will remain valid if the vehicle is registered in Luxembourg in a timely manner. The technical inspection is a mandatory and regulated procedure. It cannot be avoided.

How to pass the contrôle technique

Approximately 8 weeks before the expiry date of the technical certificate, the vehicle owner receives a letter from the National Vehicle Testing Centre (SNCT) to remind them about the technical test. This letter asks the owner to make an appointment with one of the roadworthiness inspection bodies in Luxembourg. Then proceed as follows.

Prepare the car for the technical test

Make sure that the headlights, windscreen washers, seat belts and wipers are in working order, that the car has a hazard warning sign, a spare wheel and a yellow vest. It is recommended to check the tire pressure, the cleanliness of the windows and the number plates.

Prepare the necessary documents

The following documents are necessary for the technical test:

Info

*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.

Registration card (grey card) or registration certificate Part I (grey).

Previous inspection certificate.

European certificate of conformity (for vehicles registered after 1 January 1998).

Proof of currently valid insurance (green card).

Currently valid tax disc.

The report from an approved service proving that the modifications made to the vehicle comply with the legal framework (if the vehicle has undergone a combination of modifications).

Info

*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.

Make an appointment

There are three organisations in Luxembourg where the car can undergo a control technique.

Name	Address	Phone	Email	Website
DEKRA AUTOMOTIVE S.A R.L. — Bertrange	4, rue du Puits Romain - Z.A.I. Bourmicht, L-8070 Bertrange	(+352) 27 400 791	automotive.luxembourg@dekra.com	dekra.lu
DEKRA AUTOMOTIVE S.A R.L. —Pétange	14, rue Robert Krieps L-4702 Pétange	(+352) 27 400 791	automotive.luxembourg@dekra.com	dekra.lu
LU KS Lorentzweiler	30, route de Luxembourg, L-7372 Lorentzweiler	(+352) 28 22 43 333	n/a	luks.lu
LU KS Gasperich	5, rue Robert Stümper L-2557 Luxembourg	(+352) 28 22 43 333	n/a	luks.lu

SNCT - National Technical Inspection Centre

The third organisation for technical control in Luxembourg is SNCT, It has five centres and several partner garages in different regions of Luxembourg. You can register for one of them on the organization's website by filling out the form.

It is best to book a technical inspection in advance, as it must be done within 8 weeks, and there are not always available slots. If you know that the technical inspection deadline is approaching, you can book an appointment without waiting for a letter.

Technical inspection prices may vary in different centers, so it is worth checking where you can do it not only quickly, but also profitably.

Some dealers offer a preliminary inspection and repair service so that the car is guaranteed to pass the contrôle technique. Of course, this will require additional costs, but it can save your nerves

After the technical inspection, there are 3 possible scenarios:

No deviations and car passed the test
If no deviations are found or only minor faults are found, the car will pass the technical inspection and receive a certificate, but all potential problems found will have to be eliminated. The certificate is valid from the date of the technical inspection.
Some faults that are repairable
If the checks reveal any faults, the owner will be issued a certificate for a limited period of time of 28 days. The driver will have to repair the vehicle or bring it into compliance, and then undergo a further technical inspection (for which he will again have to book and pay) within 28 days. During this time, the vehicle can only be used for trips between the inspection centre and a repair shop or the owner's place of residence. During the second technical inspection, only those elements that failed the first inspection will be checked.
The car didn’t pass the test
If organizationults are found during the inspection, the vehicle will fail the technical inspection and will no longer be allowed to be used on the road. Any vehicle that fails the test is labelled vehicule interdit a la circulation. This means that the vehicle is most likely beyond repair and must be towed to a recycling facility. It is forbidden to drive it.

Cost of contrôle technique in Luxembourg

As already mentioned, different inspection centers may have different prices for basic and additional repairs and services. We have compiled a small comparison table. Current prices can be found on theorganization’s websites:

Name	Cost	Comment
General price range	50 – 100 euro	Depending on the vehicle type and from the technical inspection center
Cost of secondary technical inspection after refusal (including tax)	30 – 52 euro	Depending on the inspection center
Issuance of a duplicate certificate	13 – 16,5 euro	Depending on the inspection center

You will have to pay for the service regardless of whether the car has passed the control technique or not.

If you take care of your car and keep it in working order, the control technique is not such a strict procedure. In any case, it was developed and adopted not for fines and restrictions, but to ensure the safety of Luxembourg residents who take part in traffic.