Vehicle Inspection in Belgium: Headlight Faults Affect 100,000 Cars
Passing the vehicle inspection is something every driver in Belgium hopes to do without problems. However, new figures from Flanders reveal a surprising reason why thousands of cars fail their technical inspection: faulty headlights.
More than 108,000 cases involving headlight problems were recorded during vehicle inspections, making this the most frequently reported defect, ahead of several other common vehicle faults.
According to the first statistical report published by “GOCA Vlaanderen”, headlight-related problems were identified in 5.3% of all inspections, representing a total of 108,879 cases.
The figures are based on inspections of 2,072,410 passenger cars carried out between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, across 43 authorised vehicle inspection centres in Flanders.
The problem affects both newer and older cars
Headlight problems are not limited to older vehicles. The statistics show that cars of different ages are affected.
Among vehicles aged between four and five years, 4.1% had headlight-related defects. The figure increased to 6.6% for cars aged between 14 and 15 years.
According to GOCA Vlaanderen, the most common issues involve incorrectly adjusted headlights or burned-out bulbs.
These defects are not simply a technical inspection concern. Poorly adjusted headlights can reduce a driver’s visibility, while headlights pointing in the wrong direction may dazzle oncoming motorists and create dangerous situations on the road.
How can drivers avoid failing the inspection?
GOCA Vlaanderen advises motorists to check their vehicle’s lighting system before attending a technical inspection.
Drivers should make sure that:
- All headlights and other exterior lights are working properly.
- There are no visible cracks or damage to the light units.
- Headlights are correctly adjusted and point in the right direction.
- Burned-out bulbs are replaced before the inspection.
A quick check or visit to a garage could help drivers avoid an unnecessary inspection failure, a repeat visit and additional costs.
What do the figures mean?
GOCA Vlaanderen stresses that the statistics represent the results of its first measurement of the inspection indicator and reflect the condition of vehicles at the time they were inspected in Flanders.
They do not mean that every vehicle has these defects. A technical inspection only provides an assessment of a vehicle’s condition at the moment the inspection takes place.
