Pickerl intervals: Criticism of costs for 2 million vehicle owners

“Because it also intervenes in ongoing assessment periods, the proposed law means that two million vehicle owners have to go to an assessment center specifically to pick up a sticker and have a new due date entered in the central inspection database,” said Bernhard Wiesinger, head of the Öamtc interest group, on Friday. This would not only be tedious, but would also cause administrative costs of around 23 million euros.

“This additional effort would not have to be necessary if the announced ‘digital gadget’ were introduced at the same time as new intervals. That would be a real relief – even if the implementation phase would then take a little longer,” says Wiesinger.

From 3-2-1 to 4-2-2-2-1 system

The change from 3-2-1 to a 4-2-2-2-1 system should be decided in the National Council before the summer break. Previously, vehicles had to be inspected for the first time three years after initial registration, then again after two years and then annually (3-2-1 rule). In the future, the first assessment should take place after four years, then initially every two years and annually from the tenth year onwards (4-2-2-2-1 rule). The minimum standard in the EU is an initial inspection after four years, then every two years.

The Öamtc also pointed out regional differences: According to figures recorded in the “Pickerl database”, serious defects occur more frequently in Alpine regions. The difference becomes clearer the older the vehicle is. ÖAMTC data shows large differences in the defects complained about in corrosion-prone components such as brakes, exhaust and axles.

The §57a inspection in the lowlands found at least one serious defect in around 25 percent of cars after five years. According to the ÖAMTC, this applies to around 38 percent of the cars in the largest Alpine district of Liezen. After ten years, the imbalance shifts to 35 percent in the lowlands and 56 percent in the Liezen district.

More winter, more road salt in alpine regions

According to the club, the reason for the higher number of §57a defects in the Alpine region is due to harsher winters and the increased use of road salt. “Longer inspection intervals will mean that such damage will be detected later in the future, which in turn can massively increase repair costs,” said Wiesinger. Financial relief for vehicle owners in Alpine areas is therefore “often not to be expected”. If “everyone wants to benefit, we should reconsider a two-year inspection interval starting from a vehicle age of seven years”.

There are also apparently safety concerns: “Although there are no reliable studies in Austria, it is claimed that the reform has no impact on road safety,” criticized Wiesinger. The legislature must collect valid data “in order to be able to take rapid countermeasures if necessary.”