A lot of fraud with car inspections in the so-called EU Kontroll
The Norwegian Public Roads Authority has discovered many fictitious and incorrect EU controls in recent months. The result can be on roads life-threatening cars.
In the fall of 2021, we discovered more than 80 fictitious inland controls. Now we are ending a major case in Telemark where more than 100 checks turn out to be fiction, says Einar Eskilt of the Norwegian Public Road Administration.
A lot of fraud with car inspections in the so-called EU Kontroll. Fear that the fraud numbers are greater
- EU Kontroll is an important contribution to the detection of dangerous cars. Workshops that conduct inspections have a great responsibility for screening out these cars. The Norwegian Public Roads Authority takes very seriously the fact that some companies and inspectors cheat on EU controls, says Eskilt.
The customer is also responsible
The scam could be that the car was registered as fully approved without being checked, or that obvious flaws and defects were not registered. In a few cases, it turns out that customers have paid the inspector directly, in cash or via Vipps.
- All warning lights should flash if you are paying for the inspection directly to the inspector and not the workshop. We have reason to believe that customers are also implicated in scams in many cases because they have a car they know will not pass inspection without costly repairs, says Eskilt.
Typical faults detected are brake, tire and rim faults, dangerous rust in the car's supporting structure or damage limiting visibility.
"Unfortunately, there are a lot of cars on the road that should never be in that condition," says Eskilt.
Serious cases reported to the police
Both the workshop itself and the inspection staff must be approved by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
- We supervise the industry's compliance with the laws and regulations applicable to controls. In the event of irregularities or violations, we may withdraw consent for a shorter or longer period. Particularly serious cases of irregularities reported to the police, says Eskilt.
EU Kontroll is not a status report
EU Kontroll provides a picture of the car's condition. During the inspection, there is a detailed checklist that the inspectors must follow. Its purpose is to verify the identity of the car, detect dangerous traffic errors as well as severe high emissions or leaks.
- EU Kontroll is not a general condition report. The report does not say anything about the operational reliability of the car or the need for repairs in the near future. Therefore, it is always good to check the actual condition of the car with the help of experts before buying, says Eskilt.
Pictured: Einar Eskilt, Norwegian Public Roads Administration
Source: Norwegian Public Roads Authority
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