Buenos Aires deregulates vehicle inspections, opening system to new providers

The City of Buenos Aires is overhauling its vehicle technical inspection (VTV) system following legislative approval of national deregulation changes. The reform, championed by La Libertad Avanza and supported by the ruling party and the UCR, passed despite opposition from the Peronist bloc.

The new law opens the VTV system to new service providers and removes price controls, allowing each authorized workshop to set its own fees. The government anticipates that increased competition will lead to lower costs for vehicle owners. Premium Wheels, a workshop in Parque Patricios, has already begun acquiring equipment and training staff in anticipation of the changes. Several major automotive dealerships are also reportedly preparing to become authorized VTV inspection centers.

Previously, the VTV in Buenos Aires was limited to seven designated centers, with four concentrated in Barracas. The revised system requires new providers to register in a unique workshop directory and meet specific technical and control requirements. Federico Sturzenegger, the Minister of Deregulation and State Transformation, stated that vehicles will be able to undergo inspections at any authorized facility starting in October, contrasting this with the province of Buenos Aires, which will maintain its existing system.

Key changes for users include the ability to get inspections at private workshops and dealerships. The age for the first inspection for new private vehicles is extended from four to five years. The inspection's validity period remains two years until the vehicle is ten years old, after which the validity period shortens, a change from the previous system where it reduced at eight years.

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Starting in October, vehicles will be able to perform the technical review at any authorized workshop, including dealerships.