The Russian Union of Auto Insurers has issued a forecast that reflects a sharp shift in the market for vehicle maintenance and mandatory inspections. In March, the network of accredited maintenance points counted just over 1,500 facilities, a figure confirmed by Sergey Efremov, the RSA’s executive director, as cited by the working group. Today that number has grown to nearly 3,400. Projections shared by RSA officials indicate that by year’s end the total could triple relative to March levels, signaling a rapid expansion of inspection and maintenance capacity across the country.
When compared with the prior year, the number of maintenance operators remains below the peak seen before new requirements for inspection points were introduced. At that time, roughly five thousand operators were in operation. The introduction of more stringent inspection point standards has maintained a tighter market, even as the overall capacity expands in response to demand from car owners and fleet operators alike.
Following the shift to optional MOT for personal vehicles, many operators exited the market, finding the test less financially viable. This market rebalancing created a temporary contraction in the number of service providers. As the policy landscape evolves, operators have been adjusting to the new pricing framework and service expectations, with some sectors showing renewed resilience as demand stabilizes.
From January 1, 2023, the pricing for technical inspection services was adjusted upward. It is no longer possible to set MOT prices below 913 rubles. As a result, the cost of a technical inspection is projected to rise by roughly twofold and to be indexed annually thereafter. With these revised rates, the technical inspection business becomes profitable again, even for passenger cars that do not require mandatory MOT under the current regulations.
There are notable exceptions to the general pricing trend. Technical inspections for personal vehicles must be completed before registration with traffic authorities if the vehicle is older than four years. Inspections are also required when significant changes are made to a vehicle’s design, or when vehicles are driven abroad. Owners may also opt to have a vehicle inspected voluntarily, independent of regulatory requirements, as a precautionary measure and for peace of mind about roadworthiness.