Can a car fail a contrôle technique check due to missing its reversing camera?

A driver in Lyon says his Renault Captur failed its contrôle technique - France’s roadworthiness test - because its reversing camera had been stolen.

The inspection centre deemed it essential safety equipment. The driver, named only as Michel L., has questioned the decision, Auto Plus reports.

In fact, reversing cameras have become targets for thieves stealing car parts. Renault models including the Captur, Clio and Mégane have reportedly been affected, with cameras integrated into the front badge of vehicles being the most vulnerable to theft.

So can a missing reversing camera cause a car to fail?

Under France’s vehicle inspection rules, rear-view systems, including cameras, are checked when they are necessary to provide the legally required field of vision.

A missing reversing camera should not automatically result in a failed inspection if the vehicle’s required field of vision is otherwise covered by its mirrors and direct visibility through the rear window.

If, however, the camera was needed to cover a required field of vision, a missing device would indeed be a defect.

What are the rules for France’s contrôle technique?

The contrôle technique is a compulsory roadworthiness inspection for most cars in France. The first inspection takes place in the six months before a vehicle’s fourth anniversary and they are then required every two years.

The inspection covers 133 points, including the brakes, steering, visibility, lights, tyres, suspension, seatbelts and vehicle emissions.

Defects are classified according to their severity as minor, major and critical.

Minor defects (défaillances mineures) have no significant consequences for the vehicle’s safety or the environment and do not require a follow-up inspection.

Then, major defects (défaillances majeures) can compromise safety, harm the environment or endanger other road users. This means the driver must arrange a follow-up inspection within two months.

Finally, critical defects (défaillances critiques) present an immediate danger to road safety or have a serious environmental impact. 

A car receives a favourable result if no major or critical defects are found. If at least one major defect is recorded, the result is unfavourable and a follow-up inspection is required. 

A critical defect also results in an unfavourable result. However, the vehicle’s roadworthiness certificate is valid only on the day of the inspection, meaning the car cannot be driven on public roads from the following day until the required repairs have been completed and a follow-up inspection has provided a favourable result. 

Can motorists challenge a contrôle technique result?

Drivers who disagree with an inspection result can consult the appeal procedures displayed at the centre that issued the report.

A follow-up inspection can also be carried out at another approved centre. However, motorists should not assume that changing centres automatically overturns the original result or removes the obligation to address recorded defects.

If the dispute remains unresolved, they can make a formal written complaint to the inspection centre. If they are still dissatisfied with the response or have not received one within two months, they can refer the matter to the centre’s designated consumer mediator. 

Motorists can also escalate the complaint to the Direction départementale de la protection des populations (DDPP), a body based within the local prefecture, or take legal action in court.

When making a complaint, motorists should provide a copy of the inspection report (procès-verbal) and the vehicle registration certificate (certificat d’immatriculation) to help the complaint be assessed.