EU vehicle inspection

What is EU-kontroll?

EU-kontroll — officially the periodic vehicle inspection (PKK) — is the mandatory safety and emissions inspection every registered vehicle in Norway must undergo at fixed intervals. It does not assess the car's general condition, only whether it meets the minimum requirements for road safety and emissions. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen) sets the inspection schedule, and only approved inspection bodies may carry it out. Din Firmabil AS is an approved inspection body for passenger cars and light vans.

How long does an EU inspection take?

An EU inspection takes 30–60 minutes for an ordinary passenger car, typically around 45 minutes. You can usually wait while the inspection is carried out.

• Electric car: 30–45 minutes — no exhaust or emissions measurement needed.
• Petrol or diesel passenger car: 30–60 minutes.
• Van: 45–60 minutes — more components and often fitted interiors to check.
• Re-inspection: 15–30 minutes — only the failed items are checked again.

Inspection time is not the same as time at the workshop. If we find faults you want fixed straight away, repair time is added — but you always get a price and an estimate before we start.

How often does a car need an EU inspection?

Passenger cars and light vans are inspected for the first time in the year the car turns 4, and every 2 years after that. Heavy vehicles, buses, taxis and ambulances are inspected annually.

Reminders are no longer sent by post. Your deadline is held in the vehicle records at Statens vegvesen, and meeting it is your responsibility. The deadline is always the last day of the inspection month.

What the inspection covers

The inspection follows the Statens vegvesen checklist item by item. The main areas are:

• Brakes and braking system — including a roller brake test
• Steering and suspension
• Visibility: windscreen, wipers, washers and mirrors
• Lights, indicators and reflectors
• Axles, wheels and tyres — tread depth, wear and damage
• Underbody, bodywork and load-bearing structure — corrosion in particular
• Emissions and noise (not applicable to electric cars)
• Seat belts, airbags and other safety equipment
• Electronic safety systems via the OBD port

The inspector records the findings directly in the Statens vegvesen system. You do not submit any form yourself, and you do not need the registration document — we look the vehicle up by its registration number.

Want every item in detail, and what you can check yourself before driving in? See the EU inspection checklist.

What happens if the car has defects?

Defects fall into three groups, and the group determines what you must do:

• Group 1 — minor defect. The car passes. You are obliged to fix the fault, but you do not need to present the car again.
• Group 2 — major defect. The car fails. The fault must be repaired and the car presented for re-inspection within two months of the inspection date. You may drive the car in the meantime.
• Group 3 — dangerous defect. The car fails and is banned from use. It must not be driven until the fault is corrected.

If you miss the re-inspection deadline, Statens vegvesen removes the number plates. Read more about re-inspection and deadlines.

What does an EU inspection cost?

The price is not regulated and varies between workshops. The inspection itself costs the same whether the car passes or fails — you pay for the inspection, not the result. Any repairs come on top, and you should always have an estimate before work starts. See prices and available slots at our Sandefjord workshop.

Can I prepare the car myself?

Yes, and it pays off. A large share of failures come down to small things you can fix yourself in fifteen minutes: a blown bulb, empty washer fluid, worn wiper blades, or loose items blocking access to the seat belt anchorages. Work through the pre-inspection checklist before you arrive.

EU inspection for electric cars and vans

Electric cars follow the same inspection interval as combustion cars, but the emissions measurement is dropped and the high-voltage system is inspected visually for damage. Vans follow the same interval as passenger cars as long as the gross weight is below 3,500 kg. Read more about EU inspection for electric cars and EU inspection for vans.

EU inspection in Sandefjord

Din Firmabil AS is based at Bekkeveien 11, 3236 Sandefjord — a few minutes from the town centre and a short drive from the E18. We are an approved inspection body for passenger cars and light vans, and we handle all makes, including electric and hybrid cars. You can wait at the workshop during the inspection, and customer parking outside the gate is free.

The advantage of having the inspection done at a full-service workshop is that we can repair and re-inspect the same day if the car fails — saving you a second trip and a separate re-inspection. You always get a price and an estimate before we do anything.

We are part of the Sjekkpunkt chain, which means you keep the new-car warranty even without using the main dealer — as long as the service follows the manufacturer's programme.

We serve customers across Vestfold, including Stokke, Andebu, Tønsberg and Larvik. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00–17:00. Book online whenever suits you, or call +47 41 17 32 24. If you are close to the deadline or already past it, say so — we prioritise cars at risk of losing their plates.

Not sure when your car is due? Check the EU inspection deadline using your registration number — free, no login.