With the EURO standards and the introduction of the Crit’Air sticker to place on the windshield in order to drive in a LEZ, one might wonder whether classic cars will still be allowed on the road in the future. Classic cars are often seen as highly polluting, though that’s not necessarily true. Want to drive vintage but also stay eco-friendly? Here’s what lies behind the anti-pollution standards check for our collection of classic cars.
The technical inspection: an opportunity to pass the anti-pollution check
Technical inspection of a modern car
You’re probably familiar with the principle of the technical inspection. Drivers of new cars or those built after 1960 are required to complete this inspection every two years to avoid having their registration certificate revoked by the Prefecture.
This inspection was introduced to help ensure road user safety by identifying and preventing failures that could occur in vehicles in circulation.
Since then, the technical inspection has become stricter (136 inspection points). It also includes anti-pollution tests, which can create extra hurdles for older vehicles.
Technical inspection of a classic car
This is where things get interesting! A classic car may sometimes have more difficulty meeting the requirements of a technical inspection. Fortunately, it’s possible to benefit from a special status if you have a collector’s registration certificate.
This registration allows you to:
- officially designate a vintage vehicle (over 30 years old) as a “classic car”;
- extend the interval between technical inspections to 5 years;
- be completely exempt from inspections for classic cars built before 1960;
- adapt the inspection criteria;
- have fewer reasons for re-inspection.
- A more aesthetic license plate: a black plate with white characters. Your vehicle thus keeps its charm.
- Cheaper insurance. Since classic cars are driven very little (an average of 1,071 km compared to 12,000 km for modern cars), insurance policies are therefore cheaper for this type of vehicle.
To obtain the collector’s registration certificate, you must apply through the FFVE (Fédération Française des Véhicules d’Époque). One of the key advantages of this special vehicle status is that the sticker certifying the technical inspection is no longer required on the windshield.
The concept of a classic car: what it means for the anti-pollution check
When a technical inspection is carried out on a classic car over 30 years old, the pollution and braking requirements are slightly adjusted to match the vehicle’s age.
However, just like for a new car, the certified mechanic checks:
- The engine condition, as a poorly tuned engine can consume too much fuel, pollute the air, and wear out prematurely. During a re-inspection, ignition, carburetion, or the injection pump may need adjustment to meet the desired anti-pollution settings.
- The spark plugs, air filter, and fuel filter, to avoid excessive emissions of polluting gases;
- The exhaust system, which ensures the emission of cleaned exhaust gases.
Even though the inspection points for a classic car are numerous, they can all be passed, provided the car is carefully and regularly maintained.
And what about the Euro standard?
What is the anti-pollution standard?
Did you know? The issue of polluting particle emissions in the atmosphere is far from new in the automotive world! The first European limits date back to 1970. Today, we refer to the EURO standard: an anti-pollution regulation introduced in 1992 within the European Union.
Since then, it has evolved through several versions known as Euro I, Euro II, Euro III, and Euro IV. These regulate emissions produced by motor vehicles:
- NOx, nitrogen oxides;
- PM-PN, particulate matter by mass and number;
- HC, hydrocarbons;
- CO, carbon monoxide.
How does it apply to retro cars?
These standards apply to new motor vehicles in Europe: passenger cars, utility vehicles, trucks, buses, coaches, two-wheelers, tricycles, and quadricycles.
Note: the anti-pollution standards do not apply to petrol cars registered before 01/10/1972. This therefore excludes a number of classic cars.
Drive vintage AND green with Voitures Passion!
In our team, we are convinced of one thing: driving a classic car CAN go hand in hand with eco-friendliness.
Why?
- Driving a used car also means helping to avoid consuming new resources. Buying a new car has an environmental cost when considering its production, consumption, and life cycle.
- Using a classic car helps extend its construction lifespan much longer than some modern cars, thereby reducing its overall environmental impact!
- Even though classic cars run on gasoline, they don’t pollute as much as some new cars with multiple features that increase fuel consumption.
- Through rental, we allow classic car enthusiasts to enjoy a genuine journey back in time under optimal conditions while respecting the environment.
One thing is certain: our mission is to celebrate the global heritage of classic automobiles by offering classic cars for rent around Aix-en-Provence, Nantes, and Lyon.
We take care to restore each of our models, finding the perfect balance between modern comfort and the authenticity of their original craftsmanship. That’s why we are committed to regularly checking anti-pollution standards, even when it’s not mandatory!
Feel free to contact us for more information while waiting for your next getaway!
