When is a CT roadworthiness test needed to sell a vehicle in France?
Motorbikes also needed a contrôle technique since April 2024
Rules are different if selling directly to a garage
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Reader Question: I want to sell my car and buy a new one – do I need to take it for a roadworthiness test before I do, even if selling to a garage?
Whether you need a new contrôle technique (CT) roadworthiness test for your vehicle before selling it depends several conditions, including age and vehicle type, as well as if you wish to sell it privately or to a business.
Cars less than four years old do not need a CT test, and this includes when selling them privately.
However, cars older than this need a CT test every two years.
In the case of selling an older car, it must have had a roadworthiness test no more than six months before the new driver changes the certificat d'immatriculation (vehicle registration, commonly called carte grise) to their name.
So, if it has not had one recently, you may well need to provide a new CT for the vehicle.
In this case, it is the responsibility of the seller to organise the CT, not the purchaser.
Tests can be booked at garages across France and cost around €80, although there are no legal limits in place on price.
An official government comparison site is available to help you compare local prices and find centres close to you.
Read more: Drivers can compare local contrôle technique fees at new official French website
Note this requirement is only the case if you are selling your vehicle privately.
If selling to a garage or car dealership, you are not obliged to give the vehicle a CT test as the firm will do so, however this is one of the factors that is liable to decrease the price you receive when selling to them.
Classic cars that do not generally need a routine CT also do not need one before being sold.
Rules for motorbikes
Motorbikes and other ‘L-category’ vehicles (including voitures sans permis licence-free cars, three-wheeled vehicles and quad bikes) previously did not need CT tests, but the rules changed this year.
Read more: What are France's contrôle technique rules for motorbikes?
These changes include the requirement of a CT test prior to selling one of these vehicles, unless it is less than five years old (from the date of the first vehicle registration).
Otherwise, the same six-month minimum rule applies.
Read more: Will roadworthiness tests penalise drivers in France for removing emission-limiting liquid?
