Flemish Government Launches Pilot for Vehicle Re-Inspections

Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Flemish Mobility Minister Lydia Peeters announces a pilot project for repair company re-inspections to improve service quality and reduce waiting times, though concerns about impartiality remain.

Flemish Mobility Minister Lydia Peeters announced the pilot project at the Automobielgroep A&M company in Hasselt. The Flemish government has given its approval in principle for the decree and the implementation decision was given the green light on an earlier day. 

How Will the New Inspection Reforms Benefit Citizens?

“This reform focuses on quality services for citizens without sacrificing objectivity, reliability, quality or road safety. The re-inspection of repairers comes in addition to the extension of the periodicity, whereby we only have to go to the inspection every two years. In this way we hope to reduce waiting times and thus save time for the customer,” says Lydia Peeters.

Within the recognized repair company, there must be a strict separation between the repairer and the independent inspector who will issue the inspection certificate. 

Filip Rylant of Mobility Federation Traxio spoke of a historic moment on occasion. “This project is positive for consumers and for the garage, tyre and car window sectors. Traxio is fully committed to contributing to the practical implementation. We will develop a large network of garages where customers can go,” says Rylant. 

The re-inspections at recognized repairers relate to poorly adjusted lights, worn tyres, damaged windows and non-functioning seat belts and airbags. Inspections of second-hand vehicles upon sale, inspection of a vehicle after an accident and motorcycle inspections are not part of the pilot project.

How Will Recognized Repairers Conduct Vehicle Re-Inspections?

Authorized repairers and inspectors will be able to issue an inspection certificate via a web application set up by the Department of Mobility and Public Works (MOW). They will also be allowed to charge a fee for a re-inspection. This compensation may not exceed the rate this year of 15.40 euros for a re-inspection at a recognized inspection company.  

Approved repairers will have to meet the necessary conditions, while the inspector will have to follow theoretical and practical training and the necessary further training. The MOW Department will monitor the operation of the recognized repairers and inspectors and there will be a reporting point where customers or inspectors can report aggression, fraud or attempts to influence. 

After this approval in principle from the Flemish government, advice is sought from the Flemish administration-industry committee, the Mobility Council of Flanders, the Data Protection Authority and the Council of State.

What Criticisms Does GOCA Flanders Have About the Announcement?

GOCA Flanders, the sector federation for car inspection, speaks of premature communication. “The core values ​​of car inspection, namely objectivity, independence and impartiality, are not guaranteed within this pilot project,” the federation said in a response. 

“Approved garages will be able to carry out both a repair and a re-inspection and are therefore the judge and party, which increases the risk of commercial conflicts of interest. The control mechanisms that are being put forward to combat this are largely insufficient.”

According to the federation, Minister Peeters’ announcement just before the elections is premature, as the minister still has to request advice from various authorities. For example, the Council of State still has to provide legal advice. 

“Only then can the Flemish government give final approval to the implementation of this pilot project. Moreover, this pilot project, for a very limited number of re-inspections, can only start in a year and a half at the earliest,” says GOCA. In this way, according to GOCA Flanders, the citizen is again being “misled, which will cause confusion and disappointed customers”, according to the sector federation.