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New rules of technical inspection: less frequent but better?

From June 1, 2025 in Moldova, technical inspection of personal vehicles less than 10 years old will be carried out every two years instead of annually. For buses, cabs, ambulances, and cars more than 10 years old, it is mandatory to have a technical inspection once a year, instead of after six months, as now.
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New rules of technical inspection: less frequent but better?

These are the main changes contained in the new Regulation on Periodic Technical Inspection of Vehicles. The document was approved by the Government in December 2024.

In addition to the new terms of technical inspection, some other changes are envisaged in order to bring Moldovan legislation closer to the European norms. For example, a system of classification of technical defects is introduced: minor defects; serious defects; dangerous defects.

The National Road Transport Agency (ANTA) notes that one of the main objectives of the adoption of the new Regulation is to limit the movement of vehicles that do not meet technical standards, to stimulate the renewal of the vehicle fleet and to reduce road accidents.

In early June, ANTA provided an update on the modernization and customization of the state’s automated information system, Autotest. This is also one of the items required by the new regulation. The Agency notes that currently the process of periodic technical inspection services is carried out as usual. Out of 136 authorized stations for technical inspection in the country, 115 are fully functional and have successfully completed the update of the “Autotest” system. However, some stations face problems with outdated equipment.

When in December it became known about the new, from June, rules of periodic technical inspection, some experts expressed fears that there may be a 15-20% price increase. Allegedly due to the fact that more effort will be needed to conduct a more rigorous inspection. At the moment, there has been no price increase so far.

But in any case, the cost of passing a TO and buying a compulsory insurance policy for vehicle owners is relatively small. And even if they go up in price, it will not change the situation. They are not the problem. Because the main part of the expenses is to repair their car so that it can successfully pass the TO. Owners know that the car must be in good working order, otherwise it is impossible to pass the technical inspection. In this sense, the upcoming date of mandatory inspection is a kind of “red line” to decide what to do: repair or sell.

To avoid problems, when buying a car you should offer the seller to go to the inspection station together. If the seller refuses, he wants to hide serious faults in his car.

According to official data, more than 1.2 million vehicles of all types (including trailers) are registered in Moldova, of which about 770 thousand are passenger cars. About 60% pass technical inspection in a timely manner.

At the same time, more than 80% of registered vehicles have a service life of more than 10 years, cars from 5 to 10 years account for 15%, and only 5% of cars have been on the market for no more than five years.

There are 8 companies with the status of authorized dealers or manufacturer’s representatives operating in Moldova. Along with them, many small firms, as well as individual entrepreneurs are engaged in importing cars (mostly not new ones).

All this has a direct relation to passing technical inspection. Car owners should understand: the less number of cars of a particular brand in Moldova, the more difficult it is to find spare parts for it. The repair shop does not search for spare parts. You have to order delivery by mail, turn to intermediaries or acquaintances. And for old machines, taken out of production, spare parts are almost nonexistent. Very lucky if you manage to find spare parts second-hand, removed from another machine “for dismantling” through the site of announcements on the Internet. But this is a whole other story.

In this context, it is much better to deal with authorized dealers. and representatives of manufacturers. They work in cooperation with parts stores for their brands of cars. And can provide repair of cars of any age. And the prices are often more acceptable compared to car markets. Another important component is the authenticity of the goods and the manufacturer’s warranty.


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