Leaseurope has welcomed the new proposal, which incorporates the principle of mutual recognition of proof of testing. This will address the current lack of coherence in this area, which complicates leasing and rental vehicle movements between member states as well as posing an obstacle to the single market.

Leaseurope’s director general, Tanguy van de Werve, commented: ‘With over 30% of motor vehicles sold in 2011 across the European Union being financed by leasing and rental companies, Leaseurope’s members attach great importance to the quality of national vehicle testing schemes, which can play a vital role in improving road safety while simultaneously mitigating the environmental footprint of vehicle fleets.’

Leaseurope also welcomes the Commission’s acknowledgement of the impact of odometer fraud on road safety, which the current proposal aims to address by calling upon the Member States to regard manipulation or tampering of the odometer as an offense.

A number of elements of the proposal will require further clarification, especially in relation to the actual testing regime. It is of key importance that the new regime does not become unnecessarily burdensome and recognises national specificities where appropriate.

‘Hence we call on the members of the European Parliament and on the Council to maintain the general approach set out in the proposal, whilst ensuring the testing regime remains workable and easy to implement across the EU,’ he added.