Exhaust emissions inspection and maintenance for motor vehicles: effectiveness and efficiency

Federal Roads Office

Key facts

Once on the road, all motor vehicles are subject to two types of periodic checks. The first is compulsory emissions testing and maintenance, which is carried out by private garages. Here the different auto parts that make up the vehicle’s exhaust system have to be inspected, adjusted and if necessary replaced. The second check is periodic official inspection, performed by the cantonal vehicle licensing offices. As far as air quality is concerned, the purpose of both checks is to ensure that the exhaust system components continue to function correctly over the vehicle’s entire service life.