The SNCT gets a new look

The Société nationale de contrôle technique is the historical body for roadworthiness testing in Luxembourg. At the moment, there are three bodies authorised to carry out roadworthiness tests in the country, and we account for around three quarters of the national market. Our main missions are road safety, consumer protection and environmental protection. For example, when we talk about safety, we immediately think of brakes, but the environment is also affected by automotive technology. For example, coolant or oil leaks are an integral part of roadworthiness testing.

We are a private company, a Société Anonyme. There is still some confusion because, historically, the SNCT was responsible for everything to do with roadworthiness tests, vehicle registration and driving licences. At the end of 2016, beginning of 2017, the company was split up in order to open up the roadworthiness testing market. The original SNCT became the SNCA, which took over the tasks relating to driving licences and vehicle registration. A new entity, SNCT S.A., was created to continue the roadworthiness testing business. Finally, many of our customers still confuse the two structures, notably because of the proximity of the buildings and the name, but we are independent.

Last year, we carried out around 280,000 technical inspections, covering all the major categories of vehicle. Unsurprisingly, passenger cars account for the majority of inspections: almost 75% of the vehicles inspected are the everyday models of “the man and woman in the street”, such as a Volkswagen Golf or a Ford Mondeo.

Light commercial vehicles, mainly used for transporting goods, make up around 13% of the vehicles inspected. Motorbikes account for 4%, while classic vehicles – those over 30 years old – account for 2.2% of inspections. To carry out this nationwide task, the SNC relies on a team of around 150 employees who are mobilised on a daily basis.

Yes, the customer experience has changed radically. Up until a few years ago, motorists had to drive their vehicles themselves to the inspection pits, guided in real time by the technical inspectors: right and left indicators, brakes, etc. This procedure was often a source of stress, especially when the vehicle was being tested. This procedure was often a source of stress, especially for drivers unfamiliar with the instructions or intimidated by the inspection environment.

Today, the process is much smoother and more comfortable. On arrival, customers simply hand over their vehicle keys and can wait in a modern reception area, equipped with Wi-Fi and free coffee. The inspector takes charge of the entire process, from vehicle entry to exit, without any intervention from the customer.

This change is designed to reduce the stress associated with roadworthiness testing, by creating a more serene atmosphere for both customers and inspectors. In the event of non-conformity, explanations are now given in a calm setting, conducive to understanding, far from the noise and pressure of the workshops. This transformation reflects a clear desire to make the technical inspection a more humane and less anxiety-provoking experience.

Florent Fernandez: The inspectors themselves find it a relief. Direct contact with motorists, who were often stressed and didn’t always understand the instructions, could generate tension. Sometimes the stress was even shared, which complicated the operation. Before, some customers didn’t know how to activate their fog lights, or there were misunderstandings about the manoeuvres to be carried out. This also lengthened the inspection unnecessarily. Now, trained professionals take charge of the entire process, ensuring that it is carried out more quickly, more smoothly and without transferring responsibility to the customer.

Around 17% of vehicles submitted for roadworthiness testing in Luxembourg fail. This is a relatively low figure by European standards, which reflects the high level of maintenance carried out on Luxembourg’s vehicle fleet.

Among the most frequent causes of rejection, the braking system comes top, accounting for almost a quarter of the defects found. This is followed by suspension, axle and shock absorber components, which account for around 20% of cases.

This vigilance is also explained by Luxembourg regulations, which are stricter than in other countries. From the sixth year onwards, vehicles must undergo a technical inspection every year. This frequency could soon become the norm throughout Europe, but it has already been in force in Luxembourg for several years. This frequency encourages motorists to maintain their vehicles regularly, thereby contributing to road safety and the reliability of the vehicle fleet.

The first piece of advice is simple: don’t come stressed. The SNCT has redesigned its customer service to make the experience more relaxed. There’s no longer any need to drive yourself to the pits: today, you just hand over the keys, make yourself comfortable, and the inspector takes care of everything.

After that, good preparation can make all the difference. Before going to the inspection, it’s a good idea to check a few basic things at home:

• Check that the lights, indicators and windscreen wipers are working properly;
• The presence of windscreen washer fluid;
• The condition of the seat belts;
• And, of course, the validity of documents: insurance, road tax, vehicle registration document, certificate of conformity.

A point that is often overlooked is the technical modifications made to the vehicle: non-approved rims, tinted windows, tuning kits and so on. These items of equipment, which are often installed without being checked beforehand, can pose a problem during the inspection. If a modification has been made, it is essential to ensure that it is approved and recorded on the vehicle registration document, with a certificate issued by the relevant authorities. Sometimes customers buy accessories in good faith, without realising that they do not conform. It’s best to call the SNCT, the SNCA or consult your garage before investing. In short: prepare your vehicle, check your papers and don’t hesitate to ask for advice. Roadworthiness tests are not there to catch you out, but to ensure everyone’s safety.

Yes, there have been several major changes in recent years. Since October 2023, there has been a new regulatory requirement to collect vehicle fuel consumption data via an electronic connection to the on-board system, also known as the OBD (on-board diagnostics) system. This measure has necessitated major investment: the acquisition of new equipment, staff training and software updates to meet government requirements.

And that’s not all. In a few months’ time, a new brake performance test – inspired by the German model – is due to be introduced. This system, known as FSD, will provide a more accurate and rigorous assessment of braking efficiency. Unlike current methods, this new system links the data from the brake test bench to information from the vehicle’s on-board electronic system (via connection to the OBD socket). The braking efficiency calculation takes into account the vehicle’s maximum authorised weight (MAM), the braking force from the test bench and the vehicle’s internal hydraulic brake pressure.

On the environmental front, the tests remain aligned with current Highway Code standards, with differentiated tests for diesel and petrol engines. No major changes have been introduced recently in this area.

Finally, the infrastructure has also evolved. The network of inspection centres across Luxembourg has grown denser, providing better territorial coverage and greater accessibility for users.

The legal framework in this area is very strict. When a roadworthiness test is carried out outside traditional centres, as part of a partnership with a dealership, it is known as an external roadworthiness test (ETT), and is strictly regulated by law. In this case, only sworn inspectors belonging to approved operators such as the SNCT are authorised to carry out the checks.

The operation is well established: the partner garage takes charge of the relationship with the end customer, offering any additional services – such as an oil change, a pre-check or servicing – and preparing the vehicle for the inspection. The inspector, on the other hand, only works in the area dedicated to technical inspections at inside the garage, without any direct contact with the customer. Once the inspection is complete, the certificate is given to the garage owner, who then finalises the service with the customer.

This model, which is very popular with motorists, makes it possible to centralise several services in a single appointment, while guaranteeing the neutrality and rigour of the roadworthiness test.

: No, insofar as the dealer is free to set the price, since he is also free to add additional services, as I have just explained. However, if consumers want to have a technical inspection at the best price, they are free to go to one of our nine sites, since we have the most competitive prices on the market.

The SNCT relies on several levers to stand out in the technical inspection sector. Firstly, its local network, which covers the whole of Luxembourg efficiently, and its competitive rates, which are among the most affordable on the market. But beyond accessibility, it’s the quality of its teams that makes the difference: around a hundred inspectors, regularly trained to keep up with the rapid development of automotive technologies.

Every year, all our technical staff receive a complete refresher course in rules and procedures, accompanied by investment in cutting-edge teaching equipment. A new training centre is currently under construction, designed to enhance inspectors’ skills in the face of technological challenges: intelligent brakes, electric vehicles, on-board electronic systems, etc.

The SNCT is also anticipating future developments, such as the inspection of driver assistance systems (radar, distance control, autopilots), which could become compulsory after certain collisions. To do this, it maintains an active technology watch, in liaison with manufacturers, equipment suppliers and counterparts in other countries (Germany, France, Belgium).

Finally, in 2024, the company launched new software to digitise its processes. This system directly integrates the data from the inspection equipment, reducing the margin for human interpretation and enhancing the transparency and reliability of the results. This is a breakthrough that guarantees an objective judgement, to the benefit of the customer.

For the moment, artificial intelligence has not yet been integrated into the SNCT’s processes. But that could soon change. Thanks to the increasing digitalisation of operations and the collection of increasingly reliable data, the idea of exploiting AI – or more precisely machine learning techniques – is gaining ground.

The aim would be to eventually offer predictive services, such as preventive maintenance, based on historical breakdowns and observed trends. For example, if the data reveals that a vehicle model frequently leaks after a certain number of years, the system could alert the inspector – or even the customer beforehand – to check this precise point before the inspection.

This would be a win-win situation. The customer wants to pass the inspection, and so do we. AI could become a tool for anticipation and advice, so that everyone leaves with their certificate, satisfied and in complete safety.