Technical control evolves. Since May 20, two novelties have appeared in this compulsory health examination four years after the first registration of a car, then every two years, and even every year for certain professionals.
Not everyone is affected because these two new features only affect recent vehicles.
Checking the “e-call” button
The “e-call” emergency call button, mandatory since 2018 in new cars marketed in the European Union, is now checked in the technical inspection.
“Our database tells us if this button should be present and therefore checked. Only the complete absence of this button or the fact that it is broken will lead to a counter-visit,” explains Laurent Palmier, President and Director overview of the Securitest network.
An absence of the e-call that can be caused, for example, by a replacement of the roof part, where this button is most of the time, by an older part, which did not yet integrate the function.
Other malfunctions, such as control panel messages “GPS signal failure” or “incorrect software version”, will simply be reported as a minor fault, without the need for a counter-visit. At least one way to inform the potential buyer of a vehicle, all second-hand sales must undergo technical control for less than 6 months.
Consumption data for Europe
The other novelty refers to the declaration of consumption, or OBFCM (for “On Board Fuel Consumption Counter”).
“Specifically, this makes it possible to measure the amount of energy used since the vehicle was put on the road: fuel and/or electricity consumption, which also makes it possible to deduct CO2 emissions”, summarizes Laurent Palmier.
In detail, the technical control center will upload the VIN, the vehicle’s serial number (which makes it possible to determine its engine), the amount of energy used and the number of kilometers driven.
These data are then transmitted to the European Commission to feed their statistics. Data that, therefore, are anonymized and not kept by the technical control center. The vehicle owner can also refuse this data collection.
On the contrary, if you accept, a consumption report will be delivered to you. Quite interesting information in these periods of relatively high pump prices. In addition, this consumption statement will allow, for example, to identify the real consumption level of plug-in hybrid models, which are often criticized for not being used enough in 100% electric mode.
This procedure only affects vehicles put into circulation as of January 2021. Therefore, only vehicle owners such as taxis, VTCs or ambulances will initially be affected, with a control that will be carried out every year. For natural persons, the question will only arise from January 2025.
Source: BFM TV
