Greece faces mandatory withdrawal of 2.5 million vehicles under new EU rules

A new European Union regulation regarding end-of-life vehicles, which came into effect on August 13, is set to impact approximately 2.5 million vehicles in Greece. The regulation aims to remove unsafe vehicles from the road and curb the illegal trade of dangerous used cars by clearly defining when a vehicle has completed its lifecycle and can no longer be legally operated or repaired.

Under these rules, a vehicle may be classified as an ‘end-of-life vehicle’ if it lacks a valid technical inspection (KTEO) for more than two consecutive years, provided the owner has not declared legal electronic inactivity through the submission of license plates. In Greece, a significant number of vehicles are currently at risk of mandatory withdrawal and de-registration, as well as potential fines, due to long-standing delays in completing required technical inspections.