Having your car inspected and/or re-inspected

The vehicle inspection is a technical check that examines whether your vehicle is safe for you, your passengers and other road users. It also assesses your vehicle’s eco-friendliness, checking for factors such as emissions, engine noise and the condition of the particulate filter.

In Belgium, this inspection is mandatory four years after your car’s first registration, following which annual inspection is required – at least it was until recently. In July 2024, a new rule was introduced for many vehicles: those under 10 years old, with less than 160 000 kilometres on the clock, and whose inspection certificate is valid until 1 September 2026, only need an inspection every two years. How convenient is that?

A number of specific inspections are also required:

• When selling a second-hand vehicle
• After an accident
• After installing a tow bar, an LPG system or making other alterations

Keep in mind that you are personally responsible for having your car inspected in time. Getting a reminder in your mailbox is convenient, but by no means an obligation.

On the inspection date, you drive your car to an approved inspection station. You decide where and when to have your car inspected and whether or not to schedule an appointment. To avoid long waiting times, it’s best to book your inspection online in advance on the inspection station’s website, where you can also check which days are busiest. On arrival at the inspection station, you hand over the relevant vehicle documents and then your car undergoes a comprehensive technical inspection. What exactly can you expect?

Step by step:

1. Report at the front desk with your vehicle documents (vehicle registration certificate, certificate of conformity, vehicle inspection certificate, certificate of insurance)
2. Wait while your vehicle undergoes the technical inspection
3. Receive a green or red vehicle inspection certificate (with or without additional remarks)

What is checked during this process?

• Lighting: from low-beam lights to fog lights (especially important if you suffer from night blindness)
• Brakes and suspension
• Tyres (wear and tear, tread depth and tyre pressure)
• Particulate filter (especially in the case of diesel vehicles)
• Chassis, steering system, seatbelts
• Number plate and chassis number
• Safety items you’re required to have in your car, such as a fire extinguisher, a warning triangle, a high-viz vest and a first-aid kit
• Modern systems like adaptive cruise control are also checked

How long will it take and what will it cost?
A standard inspection takes around 20 to 30 minutes and costs 40 euros. Re-inspections cost less, but not if you’re late: then you pay a surcharge of up to 36.30 euros.

Failing inspection isn’t great, but not a disaster either. You’ll receive a red vehicle inspection certificate with a clear explanation why your car failed the inspection.

Possible reasons for failing an inspection:

• Poorly adjusted headlights
• Worn tyres
• Rust on the chassis
• Defective particulate filter
• Illegible number plate

What happens next?
You have the necessary repairs carried out and present your vehicle for re-inspection.
Please note that this must take place within a certain period of time, usually within 15 days or two months, depending on the nature of the defects. If you’re late, you’ll face additional costs.

Bear in mind too that, without a valid vehicle inspection certificate, you are only allowed to drive home, to the garage or to the inspection station. If you’re involved in an accident, your insurer may refuse to provide compensation.

Good preparation is half the battle. Use this checklist to increase your odds of receiving a green inspection certificate:

Perform the following checks before you leave:

• Check every light (including fog lights and indicators)
• Check your tyres for wear and tear and check their pressure
• Wash your car, including the undercarriage (for the rust check)
• Fasten all seatbelts and put the seats in place
• Check the oil level and windscreen wipers
• Make sure the number plates are legible
• Don’t forget your safety items (fire extinguisher, high-viz vest, first-aid kit, warning triangle)

Regularly have children in your car?
If so, it’s important to know the rules on child seats. In Belgium, the child’s height and not their age determines whether a car seat is required. If your child is smaller than 1.35 metres, they are required to sit in an appropriate child seat or on a booster cushion secured with a seatbelt.

Still not entirely sure?
Have your car checked at your local garage first. Many garages offer a pre-inspection service, during which all the inspection points are checked. This ensures you know everything up front and so avoid any unwelcome surprises.

Passing the inspection is one thing, but you’ll want to hit the road with peace of mind too. That’s why taking out decent car insurance is advisable. With our insurance, you’re not just covered for damage to your car; you’ll receive support when technical problems arise too. This means you can always count on us. 

Work out your KBC Car Insurance with no obligation and find out how we can help you – before, during and after your vehicle inspection.

KBC Car Insurance for Passenger Cars is a third-party liability insurance policy required by law. More information on this product can be found in the insurance information document, which we recommend you read carefully before taking out the product.  

KBC Car Insurance may include one or more of the following types of insurance cover: Compulsory Third-Party Liability Insurance, Legal Assistance Insurance, Comprehensive All-Risk Insurance, Semi-Comprehensive Insurance, KBC-VAB Roadside Assistance Insurance and Driver Accident Insurance.  
  - This product is governed by the laws of Belgium.  
  - Insurance cover under this policy is valid for a term of one year and tacitly renews, unless it is terminated no later than three months before the main renewal date.  
  - Your intermediary is the first point of contact for any complaints you may have. If no agreement can be reached, you can contact KBC Complaints Management by post at Brusselsesteenweg 100, 3000 Leuven, by e-mail at complaints@kbc.be, by telephone on + 32 16 43 25 94 or + 32 78 15 20 45 (paid number), or by fax on + 32 16 86 30 38. If you cannot find a suitable solution, you can contact the Belgian insurance industry’s ombudsman service: Ombudsman van de Verzekeringen, de Meeûssquare 35, 1000 Brussels, info@ombudsman-insurance.be. This does not affect your legal rights.  

Contact your Insurance Expert or visit our website to request a quote for KBC Car Insurance for Passenger Cars.  

KBC Car Insurance is a product of KBC Insurance NV – Professor Roger Van Overstraetenplein 2 – 3000 Leuven – Belgium VAT BE 0403.552.563 – RLP Leuven – IBAN BE43 7300 0420 0601 – BIC KREDBEBB Company licensed by the National Bank of Belgium, de Berlaimontlaan 14, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, for all classes of insurance under code 0014 (Royal Decree of 4 July 1979; Belgian Official Gazette, 14 July 1979). Member of the KBC group.  

* What is and isn’t covered under third-party liability insurance  

Covered   
Loss, damage or injury you cause with your vehicle to third parties, both material (e.g., exterior damage, damage to buildings, etc.) and physical (i.e. death or injuries). Injuries sustained by pedestrians, cyclists or passengers in traffic accidents in which your car is involved. Even if you are not liable, you can claim on this insurance.  
   
Not covered   
Some key exclusions are: 
  - Damage to your own vehicle  
  - Bodily injuries sustained by the driver in a traffic accident  
  - Damage caused during participation in competitions  
  - Damage you cause intentionally  
  The complete list of exclusions can be found in the General Conditions.  

* What is and isn’t covered under semi-comprehensive insurance 

Covered  
  - Damage caused by martens gnawing on your car’s cables and conduits   
  - Breakage of car window glass or sunroof glass - Break-ins, theft and vandalism during theft   
  - Hail damage or damage caused by another force of nature (storm, lightning, flood, etc.)   
  - Damage caused by fire, explosion or fire-extinguishing activities (including damage caused by melting due to a short circuit)  
  - Damage caused by collisions with wild or stray animals  
  - Crashing aircraft or falling aircraft parts  
  - Any additional vehicle features which you can no longer use after your car has been declared a total loss (e.g., a set of winter tyres or a roof box)  
   
Not covered  
  - Damage to your own car following an accident (for which you can take out our Fully Comprehensive Insurance)  
  - Your physical injuries as the driver, which you sustained in an accident (for which you can take out our Driver Accident Insurance)  
  - Theft you have facilitated by leaving your car unattended and unlocked on a public road  
  - Damage to parts caused as a result of wear and tear or by a lack of maintenance  
  - Damage you cause intentionally  
  The complete list of exclusions can be found in the General Conditions.  

* What is and isn’t covered under fully comprehensive insurance  

Covered  
  - Damage caused by a collision, fire, glass breakage, theft, vandalism, forces of nature, filling up with the wrong type of fuel, collisions with stray animals or birds, and gnawing martens  
  - The cost of replacing locks or reprogramming the locking system if your car keys are stolen  
  - Medical expenses if you’re injured during a car-jacking or home invasion  
  - Vehicle registration tax is covered free of charge if your vehicle is declared a total loss  
  - Damage to transported items  
  - We provide compensation of up to 1 500 euros for items you transport in your car which are intended for personal use if your car is also damaged, including bicycles on your bicycle rack or luggage in your roof box  
  - We also cover any additional vehicle features which you can no longer use after your car has been declared a total loss, such as your winter tyres or roof box  
   
Not covered  
  - Damage you caused under the influence of alcohol (more than 0.15%) or in a similar condition due to the use of substances other than alcohol  
  - Damage you caused while driving your car in violation of the conditions laid down in Belgian laws and regulations  
  - Damage you cause intentionally  
  - Theft you have facilitated by leaving your vehicle unattended on a public road or unlocked in another location accessible to the public  
  - Your physical injuries as the driver of your vehicle (for which you can take out our Driver Accident Insurance)  
   
The complete list of exclusions can be found in the General Conditions.  Read the product information in full before taking out insurance.