# Periodical Vehicle Inspections with Smart Technology
## 1 Introduction
### PTIs in EU Countries  
As per the [32] report, Luxembourg holds the highest record of passenger cars per thousand residents. In Luxembourg, all registered motor vehicles, trailers, and articulated forries are required to undergo regular technical inspections. The prescribed intervals for these inspections for automobiles are as follows: the first periodic inspection occurs four years after the vehicle has been put into service and the second periodic inspection takes place six years after the vehicle has been put into service. Subsequently, inspections are required annually. Technical inspections relate to the condition and maintenance of the vehicle and, in particular, to: vehicle identification (chassis number, licence plates), environmental nuisances (noise, exhaust emissions), the braking mechanisms, lights and reflectors, the electrical equipment, axles, wheels, tires and suspension, the chassis and its accessories, seat belts, steering, and visibility [33]. Italy has the second largest number of passenger cars per thousand inhabitants [32]. All vehicles must undergo a regular inspection at official test centers. This inspection is to ensure the car is legal and roadworthy with safe emissions. According to Article 80 of the Italian Highway Code (Codice della Strada), vehicles must be submitted to a compulsory test for roadworthiness within four years after their first registration and then every alternate year thereafter. This includes passenger cars and transport vehicles, as well as nopeds and motorcycles from 50 cc upwards. The tests focus on: brakes, tires, lights, steering, suspension, wheel alignment, transmission, windscreen and wipers, chassis, seat belts, and horn [34]. Finland has the third largest number of passenger cars per thousand inhabitants [32]. The vehicles are inspected within three years after their first registration, then within two years after and then every alternate year thereafter. This includes all passenger cars, vans, trucks, ATVs and for trailers with maximum structural weight of more than 750 kg. The tests focus on: brakes, suspension, emission, and a diesel test [35]. Nevertheless, the largest number of passenger cars in use in the EU is in Germany (more than 48 million according to [36]). All registered vehicles must be periodically tested for safety on the road and adherence to traffic safety regulations. The tests focus on: brakes, wheels, tyres, frame/body, exhaust system, steering, lighting/electrical systems, windows/mirrors, accessories, pedals, seats, seat belts, and electronic safety systems. Passenger cars have to be inspected within three years of their first registration and then every two years thereafter [37]. There are many countries using some kind of mobile/PC application in the PTI process. However, as far as we know, only in Germany, Croatia, Spain, Slovakia, and Belgium are safety-relevant OBD DTCs readings being performed during PTI checks. In the largest market, Germany, a special device named an HU adapter is used to obtain these data [38]. Starting from January 1 st, 2019, Croatia has implemented OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) testing methods. Vehicles belonging to emission classes Euro 3 and newer are required to have an OBD connection. The OBD scanning collects various data including the MIL status, readiness-code status, number of Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), coolant temperature, and engine speed. In addition to the OBD test, vehicles of all Euro classes are also subjected to the classic tailpipe test. Self-developed OBD bluetooth devices have been utilized in the process; for more details see, e.g., [39]. In Spain, an OBD reader [40] has been used at a number of PTI stations. In general, the OBD readers mentioned above are designed to offer a solution, which includes both the hardware device and the accompanying software. However, these closed solutions make it hard to replace the vendor of the reader devices or the software provider.