For two years, there is a war on technical inspection (TO): price ! And for good reason, France has never had so many approved centers: almost 6,800, compared to 6,264 in 2016, while the number of vehicles subject to inspection varies little (around 25.5 million per year). year). Consequences? To gain market share, some are reducing prices and/or increasing promotions. This is particularly the case for brand new centers – mostly independent – ​​which sometimes benefit from business start-up or takeover aid, or from favorable set-up conditions (e.g. to revive areas of activity). Contenders that force other centers to adapt…

Moderate increase

The result: According to a new study by comparator Simplauto.com, the average price of a technical inspection has increased by only 2.4% in four years, half of this increase occurred between 2022 and 2023… while inflation was +8.2% (from June 2022 to November 2023)! Will the controllers have a hard time? In any case, what is certain is that they have not yet passed on the increase in their operating costs. Let’s face it, in this day and age of high living costs, it’s all good for the customer. Yes, but for how long? Will the price of this mandatory periodic review increase dramatically this year? Not sure, especially as the advent of roadworthiness testing for motorized two-wheeled vehicles should cause a surge in activity in centers that may then be less incentivized to do the hard work of restoration.

On average, from 69 to 99 euros, depending on the department

From one corner of the country to another, the average price of a car (gasoline or diesel) inspection shows a dizzying difference of… 43%. Where is the best place to live to save your wallet? From the Moselle to Haute-Savoie, the score is not the same! In this Grand Est department, the price of the test ranges from €49 to €90, with an average of €69.57, while Haute-Savoie pays between €75 and €120, or an average of €99.46 ! In total, prices rose in 92 departments: often in symbolic proportions (a few cents in Orne, Seine-Saint-Denis or Marne), sometimes more directly: + €2.97 in Bas-Rhin, + €3.64 in Loire and + €6.21 in Val d’Oise! Conversely, the drops are rare and insignificant: – 0.36 euros in the Var, – 0.63 euros in the Hautes-Pyrenees… The only notable exception, swimming in the Val de Marne for €5.50.

The regions are not in the same boat

If we look at the map above provided by Simplauto.com, the regions that experienced the greatest growth are Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Savoie, the former Rhône-Alpes region and Burgundy. Two departments of Brittany and two Pays-de-la-Loire were also affected. Conversely, the countries with the lowest growth are Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Languedoc-Roussillon, Haute-France and a large part of the Center. If you live near another department, the price difference can be interestingso study this map carefully…

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