Once the towbar has been installed, you or the installer must present the vehicle for its technical inspection straight away.

If the maximum permissible load of the trailer or caravan is less than 750kg, the inspection centre will issue a certificate valid for 4 years. If, however, the maximum permissible load of the trailer or caravan exceeds 750kg, you will have to present the vehicle for inspection each year at your own expense.

First of all, check your vehicle documents to see if you already have an inspection certificate and if so, how long it is valid for. In general, the following rules apply:

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  If your car is fitted with a towbar, the first inspection must take place upon delivery of the vehicle. You will then receive a certificate valid for one or four years. If the vehicle tows less than 750kg, the certificate will be valid for four years. If you tow more than 750kg, you must present your vehicle for inspection every year.
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  If your vehicle is registered as a light goods vehicle, you must present it for inspection every year. For light commercial vehicles intended for special purposes, such as being hired out with a driver or driving schools, you must present your vehicle for inspection every six months.

* A passenger car must be presented for inspection for the first time four years after its original registration date. After four years, you'll receive an inspection certificate that is valid for one or two years (depending on the mileage).

You can always have your vehicle inspected without receiving an invitation to do so. The mandatory documents required for an inspection are as follows:

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  Registration certificate
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  Certificate of conformity
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  Insurance certificate

Anyone who cannot present a valid insurance card will not be rejected, but will receive a note on the inspection certificate: "The vehicle does not have a valid green insurance card".

An electric vehicle requires less maintenance. This is due to the engine's reduced number of moving parts compared to a conventional combustion motor, which therefore leads to reduced wear. Moreover, oil changes are a thing of the past and the vehicle does not have an exhaust or gears. In addition, the brakes are less susceptible to wear thanks to the regenerative braking capacity.

You can present your vehicle for a technical inspection anywhere in [local country]. You can find an overview of all the inspection centres at [website]. Bear in mind, however, that when resubmitting your vehicle following a failed inspection, you must take it to the same inspection centre.

A technical inspection is required by law no later than the fourth year following the date of first registration. If you use the car after this date, you will still have to present your vehicle for inspection. If you do not do so, you run the risk of receiving a fine and you will still have to present your vehicle for inspection.

If the cost is included in your contract, you will find an order form on My driver app that you can present to the inspection centre. This will enable the cost to be invoiced directly to Ayvens.

The fact that you haven't received an invitation to present your vehicle for inspection is not a valid reason to justify using a vehicle that doesn't hold a valid inspection certificate. You can present your vehicle for a technical inspection at any time without having received an invitation. It is your responsibility to check that your vehicle documents are in order and to keep track of when your vehicle inspection is due.

The time needed for a repair depends on various factors (the cause of repair, whether parts need to be repaired or replaced, whether parts are in stock, etc.). The garage is best placed to inform you of how long it will take.