Motorcycle Technical Inspection: Check Points and Associated Faults

Implementation of technical inspection of two-wheelers from April 15, 2024

The technical inspection of two-wheelers and quads is now registered in the Official Journal. Faced with the questions raised by the inspection for customized motorcycles, we were interested in a previous article in what was being done among our German neighbors ( Café Racer: Should we fear technical inspection? ). Despite the rigor of the controls carried out across the Rhine, it is clear that the Café racer world has not been impacted.

It remained to know the control points that would be applied in France, and in particular which failures would be subject to a second inspection. We invite you to discover, thanks to this complete and rigorous guide, the different points listed in the Official Journal.

In fact, the decision is now official, category L vehicles will be subject to a technical inspection from April 15, 2024 . ( decree n°2023-97 and order ). Will be affected:

• motor vehicles with 2 or 3 wheels and motor quadricycles;
• moped, motorcycle;
• motor tricycle;
• light motorized quadricycle;
• heavy motorized quadricycle;
• light motorized road quad;
• heavy motorized road quad;
• heavy all-terrain quad with motor.

However, it is important to note that competition motorcycles, such as enduro and trial motorcycles, will not be subject to this regulation, provided that their owner has a license from the French Motorcycling Federation.

Staging of the Motorcycle Technical Inspection

Not all control centers will be able, from April 2024, to accommodate all of the vehicles concerned. To overcome this problem, a staggering was therefore put in place.

The ^first motorcycle technical inspection must be carried out according to the following schedule:

Vehicle	Anniversary date of first circulation	Date of the 1st motorcycle technical inspection
Put into circulation before 2017	before April 15	04/15/24< >08/14/24
registered before 2017	after April 15	No later than 4 months after the anniversary date, within the limit of 12/31/24
registered in 2017, 2018 and 2019		At the latest 4 months after the anniversary date of their first release into circulation, within the limit of 12/31/25
registered in 2020 and 2021		2026: The check must be carried out no later than 4 months after the anniversary date of the first release into circulation, within the limit of December 31, 2026
registered from 2022		During the 6 months before the 5th birthday of their 1st release

In which center should your motorcycle be inspected?

Certain technical inspection centers, already authorized to carry out inspections on light or heavy vehicles, will have the possibility of requesting an extension of their authorization between April 15, 2024 and April 14, 2025. This extension will allow them to include in their services inspection of category L vehicles. However, these centers must meet at least one of the qualification requirements necessary to carry out these checks.

To carry out the technical inspection, you will need to go to an inspection center that has obtained approval from the prefect of the department where it is located .

It is therefore essential to contact the various inspection centers to check whether they are authorized to inspect category L vehicles.

Handling the motorcycle during technical inspection

The inspector responsible for checking the motorcycle may authorize the owner of the motorcycle to enter the control zone. You will be able to help him handle your motorcycle. Many motorcyclists feared seeing their Café racer moved by a third party. You must comply with the safety instructions of the control installation and the instructions given by the controller.

These instructions will be displayed at public reception and at the entrance to the control zone. However, it is important to note that this authorization is not applicable for categories L1e, L2e and L6e.

What failures trigger a second inspection?

We have listed the different control points and their associated level of failures on the government website. You can now better anticipate the technical inspection of your motorcycle, customized or not. Below you will find details of the points checked and the associated failures: minor, major or critical defects.

• Minor failures: they have a minor impact on the safety of the vehicle or on the environment.
• Major failures: they can compromise the safety of the vehicle, cause environmental problems or endanger other road users.
• Critical failures: they constitute an immediate threat to road safety or have serious consequences on the environment.

The periodic technical inspection and the counter-inspection result in the following results:

• No major and critical failure: favorable result (A).
• At least one major failure (S) without critical failure: unfavorable result. The validity of the inspection is then two months from the date of the periodic technical inspection.
• At least one critical failure (R): unfavorable result. The validity of the check is limited to the date of the check. Driving on public roads is prohibited from midnight on the day of the technical inspection .

Any unfavorable result requires a second inspection . It can only be carried out within two months after the periodic technical inspection. In the absence of this counter-inspection within the allotted time, a new periodic technical inspection must be carried out.

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
Elements controlled	State	Failure
Numberplate	Non-compliant, missing, damaged or poorly attached plate	Major
Identification, chassis or serial number	Slightly different from vehicle document(s); unusual identification	Minor
	Missing, incomplete, illegible, obviously falsified. Do not match vehicle documents	Major
State of presentation of the vehicle	The condition of the vehicle does not allow the verification of the various checkpoints	Major
	Modification involving compliance with the data in the identification document	Major
Control condition	Failure of the exhaust gas analysis device during inspection	Major
	Failure of the smoke opacity measuring device during control	Major
	Failure of the electrical resistance measuring tool during checking	Major
	Failure of the sound level measuring device during control	Major
	Speed ​​control device failure	Major

Return to summary

MECHANICAL CONDITION AND OPERATION
Elements controlled	State	Failure
Pivot of the service brake pedal or hand lever	Significantly advanced wear or play	Minor
	Pivot too tight	Major
Condition and stroke of the brake device pedal or hand lever	Brake release made difficult	Minor
	Stroke too large, stroke reserve insufficient	Major
	Brake device pedal or hand lever damaged	Major
Parking brake	Stroke too long (incorrect adjustment)	Minor
	Actuator missing, damaged or not working	Major
	Parking brake inoperative	Major
Power brake system, master cylinder (hydraulic systems	Defective power-assisted braking device	Minor
	Master cylinder or reservoir: defective or insufficient fixing, but braking still working	Major
	Defective or leaky master cylinder, insufficient fixing and inoperative brake	Critical
	Brake fluid warning light on or defective	Minor
	Brake fluid level below the MIN mark	Major
	Contaminated brake fluid	Major
Rigid brake lines	Misplaced pipes	Minor
	Damage, excessive corrosion, poorly placed pipes with risk of damage	Major
	Imminent risk of failure, rupture or loss of sealing	Critical
Brake hoses	Friction points, twisted or too short hoses	Minor
	Hoses damaged, porous, overly inflated, misplaced, or rubbing against another part	Major
	Imminent risk of failure, rupture or loss of sealing (damaged braid)	Critical
Brake linings or pads	Significant wear	Minor
	Excessive wear (minimum mark reached), dirty pads or pads	Major
	Excessive wear (minimal mark not visible), pads or pads missing or incorrectly fitted	Critical
Brake drums, brake discs	Slightly worn disc or drum	Minor
	Worn or dirty disc or drum	Major
	Excessively worn, excessively scratched, cracked, loose, broken or missing disc or drum	Critical
	Loose tray	Major
Brake cables, linkage	Damaged or loose cable or linkage	Major
Wheel cylinders or brake calipers	Minor watertightness or protection defect	Minor
	Cracked, damaged, excessively corroded, improperly mounted, or insufficiently sealed wheel cylinder or caliper	Major
	Cracked, damaged, excessively corroded, improperly mounted or insufficiently sealed wheel cylinder or caliper: imminent safety risk	Critical
Automatic braking corrector	Defective, poorly adjusted, poorly secured, seized or leaking	Major
Complete braking system	Device damaged or exhibiting excessive corrosion, modification presenting a risk	Major
Anti-lock system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC)	Warning light malfunction	Major
	Faulty, missing or damaged device	Major

Return to summary

MECHANICAL CONDITION
Elements controlled	State	Failure
Housing, steering rack, fork steerer	Unusually hard driving	Minor
	Damage or poor fixation	Major
Steering wheelhouse	Friction of a moving part of the wheelhouse against a fixed part	Minor
	Damage, wear of elements or play between organs which should be fixed	Major
Power steering	Insufficient fluid level (under the MIN mark)	Minor
	Abnormal operation	Major
	Element damaged, distorted, poorly fixed or rubbing against another part	Minor
STEERING WHEEL / HANDLEBAR / COLUMN
Elements controlled	State	Failure
Condition of the steering wheel or handlebars	Damage or poor fixation	Major
Column, fork crown, steering shock absorbers	Damage or poor fixation	Minor
	Damage or poor fixation: direction affected	Major
Steering play	Abnormal play	Minor
	Excessive play	Major

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VISIBILITY
Elements controlled	State	Failure
Field of view	Obstruction in the driver's field of vision	Minor
Condition of the glazing	Cracked or discolored glazing	Minor
	Glazing in unacceptable condition	Major
Mirrors or rear-view mirrors	Slightly damaged mirror or device	Minor
	Mirror or device inoperative, heavily damaged, missing or poorly secured	Major
Wiper	Missing or obviously defective wiper blade	Minor

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LIGHTING & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Elements controlled	State	Failure
Headlights	Slightly defective light (lamp, reflector or glass)	Minor
	Missing or faulty device	Major
	Inoperative headlight range adjustment device	Minor
	Emitted color, position or intensity not conforming to requirements	Major
Front, rear and daytime running lights	Non-regulatory color or impaired visibility	Minor
	Failing device	Major
Stop lights	Failing device	Major
	Colored light other than red: significantly reduced light intensity	Major
Direction indicators and hazard warning lights	Emitted color, position or intensity not conforming to requirements	Minor
	Failing device	Major
Front and rear fog lights	Failing device	Minor
Reverse light	Failing device	Minor
Rear license plate lighting device	Failing device	Minor
Reflectors	Defective, damaged or poorly fixed reflector	Minor
Mandatory indicators for the lighting system	Inoperative device	Minor
Electrical wiring (low voltage)	Damaged or loose wiring	Minor
Service battery	Sealing or fixing fault	Minor
Traction battery box	Battery box badly damaged or poorly secured	Major
High voltage wiring, connectors and ground straps	Deterioration	Minor
	Significant deterioration	Major
	Bad fixation	Minor
	Poor fastening: risk of contact with mechanical parts or the environment of the vehicle	Major
Mass continuity	Test not feasible	Minor
	Improper	Major
Charging cable, charging socket and its protection	deterioration	Minor
	Significant deterioration or lack of protection	Major
	Test not feasible	Minor
	Failing fixing	Major
Electrical and electronic equipment on high voltage circuits	Significant deterioration, lack of sealing or faulty fixing	Major
Immobilizer device	Not working	Minor

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AXLES, WHEELS, TIRES, SUSPENSION
Elements controlled	State	Failure
Axles	Damaged axle	Major
	Bad fixation	Major
	Modification presenting a risk	Major
Rocket carriers	Abnormal play	Major
	Fractured steering knuckle	Critical
Wheel bearings	Abnormal play or noise	Minor
	Excessive play or noise or bearing too tight: stability disturbed	Major
Wheel hub	Missing or loose wheel nut or stud	Minor
	Missing or loose wheel nut or stud: risk of wheel detachment	Major
	Worn or damaged hub	Minor
	Poor condition of the spokes	Minor
	Seriously deformed, worn, poorly assembled wheel or modification presenting a risk	Major
Tires	Friction or risk of the tire rubbing against other flexible elements	Minor
	Tire size, load capacity or speed index category not meeting requirements	Major
	Abnormal or uncontrollable tire pressure	Minor
	Worn, damaged, cut tire, unsuitable assembly or repair	Major
	Severely worn, damaged, cut tire: imminent safety risk	Critical
Springs and stabilizers	Damaged or loose spring or stabilizer element	Major
Shock absorbers and fork	Poor attachment of shock absorbers without risk of stalling	Minor
	Shock absorber damaged, loose or showing signs of leaking or serious malfunction	Major
Thrust tubes, struts, wishbones and control arms	Deterioration of a connecting element	Minor
	Element damaged, poorly secured or exhibiting excessive corrosion	Major
	Poor orientation of the rear wheel	Minor
Suspension ball joints	Excessive wear	Minor

Return to summary

CHASSIS AND ACCESSORIES
Elements controlled	State	Failure
General condition of the chassis	Minor deformation or corrosion of a chassis element	Minor
	Crack, deformation, excessive corrosion or assembly defect of a chassis element	Major
	Modification not allowing control of part of the chassis	Minor
	Modification presenting a risk	Major
	Slightly damaged pipe	Minor
	Severely damaged pipe	Major
	Risk of fire due to fuel leak, poor protection of the fuel tank or exhaust system, condition of the engine compartment	Critical
	Poorly secured tank, protective covers or fuel lines	Major
	Missing or inoperative fuel leak or filler cap	Major
Bumper, side protection	Improper attachment or damage likely to cause injury if contacted	Major
Spare wheel holder (if equipped)	Damaged, poorly secured support or poorly attached spare wheel	Major
Transmission	Loose or missing mounting bolts	Minor
	Excessive wear of universal joints	Minor
	Severely deteriorated, missing or cracked dust cap or protective device	Minor
	Transmission modification	Minor
	Light wear on chain, crown, pulley	Minor
	Drivetrain damage or abnormal chain or belt tension	Major
Engine mount	Fixing anomaly	Minor
	Severely damaged bindings	Major
Cabin, bodywork or fairing	Damaged or poorly secured panel or element	Minor
	Damaged or poorly secured panel or element: protruding part presenting a risk or risk of falling	Major
	Cabin or basket poorly secured	Major
Doors, door handles and other openings	Damaged opening, hinge, lock or striker	Minor
	Sash, hinge, lock or striker that is defective, missing, poorly secured or likely to cause injury	Major
Seat/Saddle	 Slightly defective or missing seat/saddle (excluding absence of driver's seat/saddle)	Minor
	Severely defective or missing seat/saddle	Major
Driving controls	Control necessary for driving the defective vehicle	Minor
	Control necessary for driving the vehicle defective: compromised safety	Major
Other interior and exterior equipment and fittings	Faulty attachment of an accessory or equipment	Minor
	Attached part or accessory presenting a risk	Major
Mudguards, anti-splash devices	Missing, loose	Minor
Crutch	Missing or seriously damaged	Major
Handles and footrests	Missing or seriously damaged	Major

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SEAT BELTS, BUCKLES AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
Elements controlled	State	Failure
Seat belts, anchors and buckles	Protective cover missing or damaged	Minor
	Seat belt, anchor or clip missing, not installed or seriously damaged	Major
Airbag and supplemental restraint system	Failing device	Major
Buzzer	Does not work correctly	Minor
Speed ​​indicator	Missing (if required) or inoperative	Major
Odometer	Mileage recorded lower than that recorded during a previous check	Minor
	Obviously inoperative	Major
Speed ​​Limit	Not compliant with requirements	Major

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NUISANCES
Elements controlled	State	Failure
Exhaust nuisance reduction equipment	Damaged device without leak or risk of falling	Minor
	Leak, faulty fixation (risk of falling), absence or alteration of the device	Major
Sound emissions	Unstable measurements	Minor
	Excessive noise level	Major
Pollutant emissions	Emissions of pollutants exceeding applicable limits	Major
	Impossible to control exhaust pollutant emissions	Major
Fluid loss	Excessive leakage of liquid other than water likely to harm the environment or constituting a risk to the safety of other road users	Major

Return to summary

Prepared Motorcycles vs Technical Inspection?

For years, the question of the passage of Café racer type motorcycles to technical inspection has been a source of debate and concern. It is understandable that owners of modified motorcycles may be concerned about the implementation of motorcycle technical inspections in France next April.

However, as we mentioned in our previous article , TÜV certification in Germany, renowned for its rigor, does not pose any particular problems to the passion that drives us. As the terms of technical inspection may vary from one country to another, it was necessary to have the complete details of the French procedure in order to make a decision. It is now done.

By going through the different checkpoints and the type of failure associated with each condition observed, you can best anticipate your CT. Pay attention to how your modifications affect the motorcycle's components. Make sure they do not compromise safety or compliance with noise and emissions standards.

If the modifications are carried out cleanly and in compliance with regulations, your motorcycle will pass the inspection without problems.

The Blackpines team remains at your service to advise you and offer you quality parts , accessories and equipment to satisfy you as best as possible.