In 2021, more than 17 million cars passed technical inspection. What are the models that the controllers have most often seen pass? Unsurprisingly, it is the French brands that are the most represented with the Peugeot 206 ahead of the Renault Clio 3 and Peugeot 207.
Which cars are the most subject to technical control? Dreaded passage for some motorists, this expertise is mandatory from the fourth anniversary of the vehicle and must be done every two years. In 2021, more than 17 million passenger vehicles passed technical inspection. Thanks to the data published by the OTC (Central Technical Body), discover the list of the most inspected models in France for all mileage and all ages, as well as according to their age group. It is important to note that the OTC only considers passenger vehicles here. Light commercial vehicles, vintage cars and vehicles subject to specific regulations are not included.
TO READ. Expired technical control. Risks in the event of sale, infringement or accident
The 30 most controlled models in France
The first ten places are occupied by the three main French manufacturers: Peugeot, Renault and Citroën. It is the Peugeot 206 which climbs to the top step of the podium with 474,249 checks, including the 206+. Nothing surprising for a model produced in more than 8.3 million copies.
It is followed quite closely by the Renault Clio III and its 425,046 inspections, then by the Peugeot 207 (405,105). These are once again very popular models, particularly appreciated by young drivers due to their low cost. They are part of used vehicles over 8 years old the most sold in 2021. The average age of cars passed the technical inspection last year was even higher, reaching 12.2 years according to the OTC.
Top 30 most checked models in 2021 :
| Brand / Model | Number of checks | Go |
| Peugeot 206 / 206+ | 474 249 | 2.76% |
| Renault Clio III | 425,046 | 2.48% |
| Peugeot 207 / 207+ | 405 105 | 2.36% |
| Renault Clio II | 387 161 | 2.26% |
| Renault Clio IV | 385,008 | 2.24% |
| Peugeot 208 I | 338,928 | 1.97% |
| Peugeot 307 | 269 391 | 1.57% |
| Citroen C3 I | 244,937 | 1.43% |
| Renault Scenic III | 232,419 | 1.35% |
| Renault Twingo II | 226,787 |
1.32% |
| Citroen C3 II | 223 194 | 1.30% |
| Renault Megane III | 220,959 | 1.29% |
| Renault Twingo I | 213,928 | 1.25% |
| Peugeot 308 I | 211,937 | 1.23% |
| Volkswagen Golf V / VI / Plus / EOS | 198,818 | 1.16% |
| Volkswagen Polo V | 195,543 | 1.14% |
| Peugeot 308 II | 189,083 | 1.10% |
| Renault Captur I | 186 252 | 1.08% |
| Citroen C4 Picasso I | 174,763 | 1.02% |
| Peugeot 2008 I | 170,740 | 0.99% |
| Renault Scenic II | 167,711 | 0.98% |
| Peugeot 3008 I | 166,518 | 0.97% |
| Dacia Duster II | 163 194 | 0.95% |
| Dacia Sandero II | 152,709 | 0.89% |
| Ford Fiesta VI | 143,598 |
0.84% |
| Citroen Xsara Picasso | 140,718 | 0.82% |
| Citroen C4 II | 131,907 | 0.77% |
| Volkswagen Golf VII / Sportsvan | 131,624 | 0.77% |
| Fiat 500III | 125,266 | 0.73% |
| Renault Modus | 122,865 | 0.72% |
Cars less than 4 years old
The OTC also offers a classification according to different age groups. With 2.3 million checks, vehicles less than 4 years old represent only 13.62% of the total. A share logically quite low since it is only in the six months before the fourth year of circulation that this examination becomes compulsory. Unsurprisingly, there are two bestsellers at the top of the list, namely the Renault Clio IV and the first Peugeot 208 of the name. Despite much lower new car sales than these two city cars, the second generation 308 completes the podium.
Top 5 of the most controlled models under 4 years old in 2021 :
- Renault Clio IV: 161,996
- Peugeot 208 I: 125,936
- Peugeot 308 II: 84,498
- Renault Captur I: 78,643
- Peugeot 2008 I: 76,611
Cars between 5 and 9 years old
With just over 5 million cars, cars between 5 and 9 years old represent 29.20% of technical inspections in 2021. The first two places are still occupied by the Clio IV and the 208 I. On the other hand, the Citroën C3 II slips into third position.
Top 5 Models aged between 5 and 9 years old the most controlled in 2021:
- Renault Clio IV: 222,993
- Peugeot 208 I: 212,949
- Citroën C3 II: 155,811
- Renault Scenic III: 150,249
- Renault Megane III: 123,096
Cars between 10 and 14 years old
This age group is almost on par with the previous one. Models between 10 and 14 years old also shared almost 30% (29.65% precisely) of technical inspections last year. The Peugeot 207, the Renault Clio III and the Renault Twingo II occupy the podium. These three little French girls alone accounted for 771,256 passages in 2021.
Top 5 models aged between 10 and 14 the most checked in 2021:
- Peugeot 207 / 207+: 324 119
- Renault Clio III: 292,340
- Renault Twingo II: 154,797
- Peugeot 308 I: 149,074
- Citroën C4 Picasso I: 137,032
Cars over 15 years old
The Citroën Xsara Picasso is one of those grannies who are resisting. With 140,718 past technical checks, the chevron minivan comes 26th overall.
This last age group is logically a little less important than the two previous ones. But models over 15 years old still reach 27.53% of the total. With, at the top of the list, the champion in all categories, the Peugeot 206, which is just ahead of its eternal rival, the Clio 2. By uniting their efforts, these two city cars border on 4% of checks carried out on this age group.
Top 5 most inspected models over 15 years old in 2021:
- Peugeot 206 / 206+: 339,999
- Renault Clio II: 312,364
- Peugeot 307: 208,435
- Renault Twingo I: 197,675
- Citroën C3 I: 121,564
