The rise in prices for vehicle inspection, commonly known as MOT in Russia, appears to correlate with a softer demand for the service. This view comes from an interview with the Public News Service, where automotive expert Vladimir Sazhin explained that the obligation to maintain passenger vehicles not used for commercial purposes has also been withdrawn.
Sazhin emphasized that this is a significant market segment. The price increase is expected to hit mainly commercial and passenger transportation hard. Yet there is a counterpoint: as inspection stations adjust to higher costs, their operations may become profitable, potentially stabilizing the sector in the longer run. This nuanced perspective suggests the market could see a shift from volume-driven to margin-driven economics, with service providers gradually recalibrating to new revenue realities. [Source: Public News Service attribution]
Automotive analyst Alexander Koval added a cautionary note, suggesting that firms offering maintenance services could unexpectedly raise their prices in response to broader cost pressures. This could compound the overall price environment for fleet operators and individual vehicle owners alike, influencing decisions around routine maintenance and inspections. [Source: Public News Service attribution]
The reporting reminds readers that private vehicle users must undergo a technical inspection only if the vehicle is over four years old, during registration and re-registration, or when design changes are made to the vehicle. This clarification underscores how regulatory requirements interact with pricing changes, affecting how often a vehicle must be inspected within different ownership or usage scenarios. [Source: Public News Service attribution]
Kommersant reported in December that regional authorities are set to establish maximum tariffs for technical inspections, with the new rates taking effect on January 1. In many regions of the Russian Federation, the cost of maintaining a passenger car is projected to rise by about 12%, moving from 913 rubles to 1022 rubles. The figure reflects a nationwide trend while highlighting regional disparities in pricing. [Source: Kommersant attribution]
According to the same report, the highest inspection fees were observed in Chukotka, where the procedure can reach around 4.5 thousand rubles. In St. Petersburg, the price is expected to be about 1.72 thousand rubles, and in the Amur region around 1.5 thousand rubles. Conversely, several regions are noted for comparatively cheaper inspections. Ivanovo is listed with an increase from 586 rubles to 913 rubles, Volgograd from 576 rubles to 913 rubles, and Kemerovo from 913 rubles to 947 rubles. These regional differentials highlight how local costs and policy decisions shape the consumer price landscape for MOTs. [Source: Kommersant attribution]
There is also mention of a proposal once debated in the State Duma to introduce mandatory technical inspections for private and rental electric scooters. The discussion signals an ongoing interest in expanding inspection regimes to newer modes of transport, with potential implications for enforcement, safety standards, and the broader regulatory framework. [Source: Kommersant attribution]