Everything you need to know about vehicle inspections

Are you arriving in Luxembourg with your own car, or do you plan to buy one there? You should know that there are rules you need to follow regarding vehicle inspections in Luxembourg. Here you will find the following information:

• What is the purpose of the vehicle inspection?
• Is it mandatory for all vehicles?
• When must it be performed?
• How much does it cost?

Find out everything the law says about vehicle inspections in Luxembourg.

No technical inspection for cars less than 4 years old

In the Grand Duchy, the first technical inspection must be performed 4 years after the car is first registered. If your vehicle is new or less than 4 years old, you are not currently subject to this requirement.

Following the first technical inspection, it must be renewed after 2 years. The vehicle owner must then renew it annually starting in the 6th year.

Let’s say you bought a vehicle first registered in 2024:

• The first technical inspection must be performed in 2029,
• The second in 2031
• and then every year starting in 2033.

The older a vehicle is, the more it will need regular inspections to ensure it still meets certain standards.

Don’t worry—you won’t miss the deadlines. Two months before the due date, the National Technical Inspection Agency (SNCT) will send you a letter inviting you to schedule an appointment.

The technical inspection certificate is mandatory

If your vehicle is more than 4 years old, you must provide a valid technical inspection certificate for any registration or insurance application. This applies whether your vehicle was purchased in Luxembourg, imported, or brought with you as part of a move.

Mandatory for registration or insurance applications

If you are moving from abroad with a foreign-registered car, remember that you are required to change your license plates and purchase Luxembourg car insurance within the first 6 months. To do so, you must provide a valid technical inspection certificate.

Validity of technical inspections performed abroad

Normally, a roadworthiness certificate issued in another European country or in Switzerland remains valid in Luxembourg. However, be aware that validity periods vary from country to country, even within the European Union.

For example, in France, the law stipulates a two-year period between each certificate renewal. However, if you import a French vehicle that is more than six years old, the period since the previous technical inspection must be less than one year. Otherwise, you will need to have a new technical inspection performed in Luxembourg to comply with local laws.

Third-Party Technical Inspection

Make your life easier with AXA Luxembourg— we handle the process of changing license plates, getting the technical inspection, and arranging auto insurance for you.

If you’re buying a used car from a private seller, be sure to ask for the technical inspection certificate. Otherwise, the authorities will require you to get a new one.

Car dealers typically handle all the paperwork for you. They’ll provide you with a ready-to-drive vehicle, with license plates already installed and the technical inspection completed.

Where can you go to get a vehicle inspection?

You can have your vehicle inspected at several authorized inspection centers:

• The Société Nationale de Contrôle Technique (SNCT), in Sandweiler, Wilwerwiltz, or Esch-sur-Alzette;
• DEKRA, in Bertrange (5 km from downtown Luxembourg);
• Or choose the SNCT partner garage closest to you.

Remember to schedule an appointment within 8 weeks of receiving the letter from the SNCT.

Find all the information you need to prepare for your SNCT appointment here.

If you’d like to avoid the hassle of the technical inspection, contact our insurance partner AXA Luxembourg to take advantage of the Comfort Service. A partner will handle your vehicle and take care of all the necessary steps for you at a preferential rate.

How much does a technical inspection cost?

The cost of the technical inspection varies depending on several factors: vehicle type, location chosen, etc.

Each testing center or garage is free to set its own rates. If you choose to have your inspection done at SNCT or DEKRA, the cost ranges from €50 to €70. You can view their rates directly on their websites.

Would you like more information about the formalities related to your vehicle? Click here.

What happens if your vehicle fails the inspection?

The purpose of the technical inspection is to determine whether a vehicle is technically reliable enough to be driven safely. Among other things, the inspection checks that the brakes, lights, seat belts, etc., are working properly.

If a defect is found, you will be issued a temporary certificate valid for 28 days. This period will allowyou to bring the vehicle into compliance and present it for a second inspection. Be sure to meet this deadline; otherwise, you will be required to undergo a new comprehensive technical inspection.

Did your vehicle fail the technical inspection? Take advantage of Autofestival to buy a new car at great prices.