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Car inspection 2026 – see what is worth knowing and how to prepare for it?
Without a valid technical inspection, we cannot legally drive a car. How to prepare for a visit to a vehicle inspection station? What will a car inspection look like in 2026? In the article below we try to dispel any doubts.
What are the differences between technical inspection and periodic inspection?
Issues related to how a car inspection is carried out, where to have a car inspected and what are the consequences of not having an inspection are regulated by the Road Traffic Act.
Registered car inspection, periodic car inspection, registration inspection – these terms are sometimes confused, which may be due to the fact that they sound similar. What do they actually mean?
If we go to a vehicle inspection station to have a technical inspection done in order to get a stamp for the registration certificate, this is a periodic technical inspection. This is how the verification of the technical condition of the vehicle is defined in Article 81 of the Road Traffic Law. Let us add that the consequences of not having an inspection are very serious.
Formally, a registration inspection or periodic inspection of a car is the same as a technical inspection. However, in order for everything to be done in accordance with the regulations, a technical inspection must be performed before the first registration of the vehicle in the territory of the Republic of Poland.
The case of a technical inspection is not subject to zoning – In order to have a car inspected, you do not have to look for a specific station. The current technical inspection can be carried out at any point throughout the country.
A periodic car inspection is simply a visit to About, which we can go to at any time. It may consist of changing the oil and filters, checking the suspension, computer diagnostics, checking the condition of tires, etc. Regular technical inspections are crucial for safety.
What will be the new fees for technical inspections that will come into force in 2026?
From September 2026 Updated vehicle inspection tariffs will come into effect in Poland. These will be the largest increases we've seen in over 20 years. Fee for a passenger car technical inspection will increase to 149 PLN, which means an increase of 51 PLNThe new price list will cover various types of technical inspections and will also introduce rate adjustments based on average wages in the economy. These changes are intended to align fees with inflation and the rising costs of operating diagnostic stations.
For vehicles equipped with gas installations (LPG/CNG) there is an additional fee of 245 PLNThese changes are a response to rising energy costs and diagnostician salaries. The introduction of new rates is intended to ensure high safety standards and quality of research conducted.
Ministers of Infrastructure argues that the need to adjust fees results from the actual costs of operating vehicle inspection stations. The new tariffs are also intended to contribute to improving financial stability These changes will affect all drivers, meaning car owners will have to rethink their budgets given the rising costs associated with vehicle operation.
What procedures will change at vehicle inspection stations from 2026?
Od 2026. New procedures for technical inspections will come into force at vehicle inspection stations (SKP). The main goal of these changes is to raise the level safety and improving diagnostics. An integral part of the new system will be the obligation to create photographic documentation vehicles, as well as the use modern measuring devicesThese steps are designed to reduce fraud and ensure the accuracy of entries, which is crucial for reliability of technical research.
The new diagnostic system will be based on digital reports z CEPiK 2.0, which enables not only efficient data archiving, but also their exchange with other countries European UnionAdditionally, the regulations will introduce mandatory registration odometer readings immediately after the test is completed, which will certainly contribute to the elimination of manipulations related to the vehicle mileage.
Another important element of the changes will be professionalization of the diagnostic professionEmployees will be required to produce accurate reports and will also be subject to strict controls and mandatory training. The introduction of these rules will certainly contribute to increasing service standards in vehicle inspection stations. Adapting to the digitization of documentation and the introduction of modern diagnostic systems will prove crucial for the proper functioning of vehicle inspection stations in the coming years.
What is checked during a car inspection?
When we go to the diagnostic station to receive an entry in the certificate, the car will undergo a detailed mandatory technical vehicle inspection. The inspection of a registered car includes, among other things, comparing the data from the vehicle's nameplate with the car's documentation. This is how a car inspection works in practice.
In addition, the following elements will be checked:
- brakes,
- suspension,
- engine,
- steering system,
- lighting (efficiency and correct positioning of headlights),
- exhaust system (condition, noise level, exhaust emissions),
- bodywork (windows and load-bearing elements),
- tires.
Additionally, the diagnostician can verify whether the car carries the mandatory vehicle equipment, i.e. a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle. If the car has an LPG test, the gas installation will also be inspected.
How to prepare your car for inspection?
Before we go to have our car inspected, it would be a good idea to prepare it properly. It is best to show up at the vehicle inspection station in a car that shows that it has been well-maintained. The cost of the technical inspection is not everything - it is worth checking the condition of the car beforehand.
Before the test, we can wash the car and clean it inside. We write about how to get your car in good condition, among others: in articles How to care for your car's bodywork? and How and with what to wash the car?. Checking the cleanliness is essential.
Preparing your car for a periodic technical inspection is a good time to replacing wipers. We must also check the validity of the previous inspection and prepare accordingly for the next one. Let's make sure that the lighting works properly, the headlights are well adjusted, and all the bulbs are lit. Checking the technical condition ourselves can protect against unpleasantness.
We can enter the technical inspection of the car into our driver's calendar, or a list of tasks related to the use of a car. Remember that even the shiniest car will not pass the inspection if it has defects. The period before the inspection is a good time to have the car inspected initially at a service center, change the oil and filters, check the suspension, steering and exhaust systems, and the operation of the brakes. Regular technical inspections will help keep the vehicle in good condition.
How often is a car serviced?
The frequency of mandatory technical inspections of vehicles in Poland depends on their age and category.
Newly registered passenger cars i delivery vans They must undergo their first technical inspection three years after registration. Subsequent inspections occur every two years until the vehicle reaches ten years of age. After that, an annual inspection is required.
However, other types of vehicles, such as motorcycles, agricultural tractors, mopeds, and trucks and their trailers have strictly defined inspection deadlines, in line with legal regulations. Timely completion of these inspections is crucial, as it ensures road safety and complies with applicable legal standards.
Failure to comply with the requirements related to technical inspections may lead to CEPiK system intervention, which may result in financial penalties being imposed on owners of such vehicles. Therefore, regular inspections are fundamental to ensuring the technical efficiency of vehicles and the safety of their users on the roads.
Additional technical inspection – who can order it?
Additional vehicle inspections are ordered by road inspectors and police officers authorized to inspect vehicles. Additional technical inspections are necessary if the car poses a safety hazard or violates environmental protection requirements.
An additional vehicle inspection may be ordered, for example, due to poor tire condition, lighting and exhaust system defects, damaged or excessively tinted windows. A post-collision technical inspection may also be required.
The starosta also has the right to refer a vehicle for a technical condition test. In this case, too, the reason may be the suspicion that the vehicle poses a threat to road safety or violates environmental protection requirements. In addition, tests will be necessary if there are errors in the vehicle documents (for example, imported from abroad) that require a diagnostic check to correct.
An additional inspection must also be carried out if the vehicle has had its load-bearing system repaired, if any parts have been replaced that will require changes to the registration certificate, or if the vehicle is to be used as a taxi, driving school car or emergency vehicle. The inspection of a vehicle registered as a taxi is subject to special requirements.
What EU and national regulations will affect technical inspections in 2026?
In 2026, important regulations will come into force at both EU and national levels, which will significantly impact the way vehicle technical inspections are carried out. For example, the new reform will enable the recognition of the results of technical inspections carried out in other EU Member States for a period of six months. This solution will simplify the vehicle registration process in cross-border situations and international traffic, which is crucial given the growing volume of traffic between countries.
Additionally, these changes will include an amendment to Directive 2014/45/EU, which aims to increase the effectiveness of the technical inspection system. The following will be introduced:
- new, higher safety standards,
- new, higher environmental protection standards,
- digitization of documentation related to technical tests,
- electronic certificates,
- more efficient data exchange between countries through a new EU platform.
These regulations will introduce more stringent oversight of vehicles and diagnosticians. Penalties for missing or delaying technical inspections may be tightened, aiming to strengthen compliance with regulations. These legislative amendments are of key importance for the future of the technical inspection system both in Poland and in other European Union countries.
What are the consequences for drivers for a late or invalid technical inspection?
Failure to have a current MOT can lead to serious legal and financial consequences for drivers. In 2026, the penalties for failing to have an MOT will be:
- od 1500 PLN do 5000 PLN,
- depending on the circumstances of a given case.
The police have the right to retain the registration certificate, which will prevent you from continuing driving until the inspection is completed.
Additionally, if a vehicle is deemed unsafe due to a lack of a valid inspection, it may impact the possibility of obtaining compensation from the insurer. Drivers are also subject to penalties for late MOT inspections. It's worth noting that these penalties increase over time and can reach approximately 400 PLN, if the delay period exceeds 90 days.
Although drivers have the right to appeal against a fine, It is crucial that inspections are carried out on time. Regular technical inspections are extremely important for the proper functioning of vehicles and for minimizing the risk of road accidents.
FAQ
How much will a car inspection cost in 2026?
From September 2026, the fee for a passenger car technical inspection will increase to 149 PLN, which is PLN 51 more than currently. For vehicles with installation LPG/CNG the price will be 245 PLN, and for motorcycles approximately 94 PLNThe increases are due to rate adjustments and the rising costs of maintaining diagnostic stations.
What changes await drivers during the technical inspection in 2026?
From 2026 there will be an obligation photographic documentation of the vehicle, digital reports in CEPiK 2.0, and immediate recording of the courseDiagnosticians will be required to undergo regular training, and the tests themselves will include a more detailed assessment of safety and emissions systems.
What is the fine for not having a valid technical inspection in 2026?
In 2026, the penalties for not having a current inspection will range from 1500 PLN to 5000 PLNThe police may retain the registration certificate, and for delays of up to 90 days, an additional fine of approximately 400 PLNFailure to inspect may also affect insurance compensation.
Will a technical inspection performed abroad be valid in Poland?
Yes. From 2026 technical tests carried out in other European Union countries will be recognized in Poland for a period of 6 miesięcyThis will allow drivers travelling or living abroad to legally register their vehicle without having to repeat the inspection.
