A total of 33,308 diesel cars have already been rejected because of the new stricter particulate filter test that was introduced in July. This is evident from figures that Flemish Member of Parliament Sofie Mertens (CD&V) requested from Minister of Mobility Lydia Peeters (Open VLD).
Since 1 July 2022, all diesel vehicles with Euro standard 5 or 6 must undergo a new particulate filter test during the vehicle inspection. If the car emits more than 1 million particulate matter per cubic centimeter, a red card will follow.
LOOK. Even new particulate filters fail the particulate filter test
A total of 33,308 diesel cars have already been rejected. In addition, another nearly 15,000 motorists received a warning. So the impact is huge, says Mertens. “The rotten apples involved in soot filter fraud must be removed (…) It is also extremely important for improving our air quality. Yet it cannot be that we put people without a car,” she says.
According to Peeters, owners are insufficiently aware of the condition of their car. That is why she advocates a central database that can be used to find out exactly how many particles the vehicle emits. When the exact emission figure is stated on the inspection certificate, consumers can intervene more quickly and avoid more expensive interventions later on. The results of the particulate filter test must also be stated on the Car-Pass for the CD&V member of parliament, which is used for second-hand sales.
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