What Autovision does

Autovision is a French vehicle technical inspection network (legal entity: VIVAUTO S.A., a société anonyme headquartered in Montreuil) founded in 1985 by Jean Karras. The network comprises over 600 affiliated technical inspection centers staffed by more than 2,000 certified technical controllers, covering all 96 metropolitan French departments plus overseas territories (DOM-TOM: Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyane, La Réunion, Mayotte). Core service delivery is structured around standardized 137-point vehicle safety and emissions inspections for light vehicles, with parallel specialized sub-brands: Autovision PL for heavy goods vehicles (PL) and Motovision for L-category vehicles (motorcycles, scooters, quads). Per-inspection pricing at affiliated centers is referenced at €65-€75.

The company operates a franchise/affiliated-network business model with revenue generated primarily through technical inspection fees at network centers (transaction-fee model). Digital infrastructure includes the RDV-Online booking platform (separate instances for light vehicles and heavy goods), a smartphone application (launched in 2022 as a claimed first in the French market), and a free SMS reminder service. The corporate group includes wholly-owned ancillary subsidiaries: Autodidact (training organization for technical controllers, founded 1993, training 2,000+ trainees annually with Qualiopi certification since 2021), Karoil (IT services, founded 1992, building the network's digital tools), and AGROVISION (a carbon-offset lavender cultivation initiative in Greece).

Ownership remains with the founding Karras family, with no external PE/VC ownership disclosed. Leadership was transitioned in 2022 when Valentin Karras, age 25, was appointed President, while Bernard Bourrier continues as Président Directeur Général of the VL and PL networks. The company actively monitors and adapts to French regulatory changes, most recently the January 2026 reclassification of TAKATA airbag-related failures as critical on inspection reports. Marketing reach extends across social media, event sponsorships (4L Trophy, 24 Heures Stud'Kart), and partner promotions (FFCC, Triumph Club de France, Solly Azar), with CEO Bernard Bourrier maintaining a visible media presence on TF1, RTL, BFM Business, and other major French outlets.

Name

Autovision

Legal name

VIVAUTO, Société Anonyme

Website

https://autovision.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Autovision is a French franchise network of 600+ vehicle technical inspection centers, employing 2,000+ certified controllers, that performs mandatory 137-point safety and emissions inspections for light vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, and motorcycles across metropolitan France and overseas territories.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vehicle Technical Inspection Services

NAICS

General Automotive Repair (811111), Automotive Mechanical and Electrical Repair and Maintenance (81111)

SIC

Services-Automotive Repair, Services & Parking (7500)

akta.pro primary industry

Preventive Maintenance & Inspections (Oil, Fluids, Tune-Ups) (TLAKAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

DOT / Regulatory Compliance Inspections & Certifications (FMCSA/State) (TLAKAGAC), Vehicle Diagnostics & Fault Code Scanning Services (TLAKANAA)

Keywords

• Vehicle technical inspection
• Automotive emissions testing
• Heavy goods vehicle inspection
• Motorcycle technical control
• Vehicle safety certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreuil

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Technical Inspection Fees: Revenue generated from vehicle technical inspection services performed at affiliated network centers. Fees are charged per vehicle inspection, including initial inspections and follow-up counter-inspections (contre-visite).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Autovision operates a national network of over 600 affiliated vehicle technical inspection centers across France and overseas territories, performing mandatory safety and emissions inspections on light vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, and L-category vehicles (motorcycles, scooters, quads). The service covers 137 standardized inspection points carried out by 2000+ certified technical controllers, supplemented by digital tools including online booking (RDV-Online), a mobile app, and free SMS reminders.

Product overview

Autovision operates as a network of automobile technical inspection centers across France, providing mandatory vehicle safety and emissions inspections. The core offering is the Autovision Vehicle Inspection Network, which encompasses 133+ control points verified by certified technicians. The network extends through affiliated centers throughout France, supported by digital services including RDV-Online appointment booking platforms (for both standard vehicles and heavy goods vehicles), a mobile application, and free SMS reminder services. The group includes specialized branches: Autovision PL for heavy goods vehicles, and Motovision for two-wheelers. Training is provided through Autodidact, and environmental initiatives are conducted via AGROVISION. The company was founded in 1985 and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2015.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Autovision Vehicle Technical Inspection Network
• Autovision PL (Heavy Goods Vehicle Inspection)
• Motovision (L-Category Vehicle Inspection)
• Autodidact Technical Controller Training

Quantifiable outcome

• Environmental offset through AGROVISION lavender cultivation compensating CO2 emissions from technical inspections
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• FFCC (Fédération Française des campeurs, caravaniers et camping-caristes)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational partnership offering discounts on technical inspections for FFCC members (campers, caravaniers, and motorhome users). Members present their FFCC card at participating Autovision centers to receive discounts on vehicle technical inspections.
• Triumph Club de FrancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with French Triumph motorcycle club offering member discounts on technical inspections for Triumph vehicles at participating centers.
• Solly AzarcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance partner Solly Azar offering discounts on L-category vehicle (motorcycle, scooter, quad) technical inspections at Motovision centers. Customers present their Solly Azar insurance memo at inspection.
• AutodidactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining organization created in 1993, major player in France for training technical controllers for automobiles and heavy goods vehicles. Welcomes over 2000 trainees annually. Part of Autovision ecosystem for training network controllers.
• KaroilcoreTechnology or IntegrationIT services company (ESN) created in 1992, providing computer hardware, web design, software development, and digital marketing services to Autovision network. Website developer and technical partner.
• Autovision PL (Poids Lourds)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialized subsidiary network for heavy goods vehicle technical inspections operating from pl.rdv-online.fr booking platform. Part of Autovision group.
• MotovisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational brand specialized in technical inspection of L-category vehicles (motorcycles, scooters, quads, three-wheelers). Separate brand under Autovision umbrella.
• 4L TrophyflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerAutovision became official partner of the 4L Trophy student rally in 2022 to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Partnership continued in 2023. Sponsors student teams, provides technical inspections for participating 4L vehicles, and raises awareness about road safety among young drivers. Event involves approximately 3000 participants traveling 6000km to Morocco.
• 24 Heures Stud'KartflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerAutovision became major partner of 24 Heures Stud'Kart 2022, a 24-hour karting race supporting AIDES association in fight against AIDS. Partnership with Automobile Club de l'Ouest (Le Mans). Two Autovision teams participated in the race.
• Enfants du DésertminorOthersMoroccan charity association supported through 4L Trophy rally. Participating teams deliver school supplies and donations collected during the rally to children in southern Morocco.
• AIDESminorOthersFrench HIV/AIDS association supported through 24 Heures Stud'Kart event. Prevention and screening actions conducted during the two-day festival to raise awareness among young people.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DEKRA Automotive: DEKRA is one of the largest vehicle inspection networks globally, operating technical control centers across France as a direct competitor to Autovision. Both companies perform mandatory vehicle safety and emissions inspections under French regulatory framework with similar affiliated center models.
• Contrôle Technique Autosur (SGS): SGS operates vehicle inspection services in France under the Autosur brand, part of the global SGS testing and certification group. The French operations directly compete with Autovision's network while benefiting from broader SGS international infrastructure and certification capabilities.
• Bureau Veritas Automotive: Bureau Veritas is a global testing, inspection and certification company with automotive services in France. While broader in scope than Autovision, it competes in adjacent automotive compliance and certification services for vehicles and fleet operators.

Direct peers

• Securitest: Securitest operates a nationwide French network of vehicle technical control centers offering the same mandatory inspection services as Autovision. The two networks compete directly for vehicle owners across metropolitan France with similar pricing, digital booking tools, and inspection scope.
• Autosur: Autosur is a French vehicle technical inspection network with affiliated centers competing head-to-head with Autovision. Both networks offer identical mandatory contrôle technique services under the same French regulatory framework with comparable pricing and customer segments.
• Auto Sécurité: Auto Sécurité is a major French technical control network operating affiliated centers nationwide. The company provides the same mandatory vehicle inspection services as Autovision and is part of the same competitive landscape for vehicle owners seeking regulatory compliance.
• Norisko Auto: Norisko is one of the leading French vehicle technical inspection networks with extensive nationwide coverage. It competes directly with Autovision for mandatory inspection services, operating under the same French Ministry of Transport regulatory framework with affiliated center model.
• CT Auto (Centre de Contrôle Technique): CT Auto is a French vehicle technical inspection aggregator and network operator. The platform enables vehicle owners to locate and book inspections across affiliated centers, competing with Autovision's RDV-Online platform and affiliated center network.

Emerging players

• Vroomly: Vroomly is a French digital platform that aggregates vehicle maintenance and inspection services including contrôle technique. It serves as a comparison and booking channel that competes with Autovision's online booking infrastructure while serving the same customer base of vehicle owners.

Others

• Autodoc: Autodoc is a European online retailer of automotive parts and accessories. While not a direct technical inspection competitor, it serves French vehicle owners preparing for inspections with replacement parts, representing an adjacent player in the vehicle compliance ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AutovisionOfficiel
• Facebookfacebook.com/AutovisionOfficiel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/autovisionfrance
• Instagraminstagram.com/autovision_officiel
• TikToktiktok.com/@autovision_france

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Autovision