"Contrary, a widespread belief, the prices for technical control aren't determined by the state, since each center sets its own," warns Simplauto, the comparator, in the preamble of its annual barometer on technical control in France.
It is evident that there are huge price differences between one area and another. The difference in cost is nearly 50% between Loiret (67.14 euro) and Haute-Savoie (99.532 euros). The price for Amilly (Loiret) is 45 euros. In Anthy-sur-Leman, (Haute-Savoie), it's... 115 euros.
An average cost of having a petrol or diesel vehicle inspected by one of the 5,625 centers is 78.52 Euros. It will be slightly more expensive for more polluting engines (e.g. hybrids, electrics, and LPGs): 84.8, 85.10, 93.24, and 93.24, respectively.
In general, it is the eastern side of France which is the most expensive, in particular the Alpine departments (Haute-Savoie, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Savoie), where the price is close to or exceeds 90 euros. Ain, Jura and Rhone, Hautes-Alpes and Hautes-Alpes are all above average. Haute-Saone and Doubs are just average.
Finally, Meurthe-et-Moselle and Bas-Rhin, Territoire de Belfort (68.87 euro) are some of the most affordable in the country.
Why such differences? It's all about local competition. The local parameters that determine the centers' prices (such as labor costs, real estate cost, and standard of living) will be used to decide the pricing. Simplyauto founder Mickael Barbosa explains that the centers set their prices relative to their competitors. "In Haute-Savoie for instance, the price of real estate can be quite high and there is a shortage in controllers. This increases their salaries, especially since some of them go to Switzerland. The standard of living is also higher than in other areas. The tariffs are therefore higher mechanically.
France has seen a slight decrease in prices since 2018, when there was a sharp rise in technical control. The average price of a French property was 77 euro last year.
Mickael Barbosa notes that the real novelty lies in the ending of free counter-visit. This service is currently offered by only 2% of centers. This is far less than what was offered in the past. Nearly three out of three centers offer the counter-visit in a commercial gesture.
It is the traffic jams in technical control centers that are most dangerous this year: professionals warned in March of the dangers of garage traffic explosions before summer holidays. The Covid-19 has delayed checks.
