What Vérif'Autos France does

Vérif'Autos France is a branded network of more than 50 prefecture-approved vehicle technical inspection centers operating across metropolitan France, providing the mandatory periodic technical inspection (contrôle technique périodique) required of all vehicles over four years old every two years, together with counter-visits, complementary pollution inspections for utility vehicles, and voluntary pre-sale or pre-trip inspections. The company was created in 2004 as a brand of the SECURITEST SA network (legal entity headquartered in Le Mans, share capital €2,745,000), which is itself a subsidiary of SGS Group, the Swiss-listed global leader in testing, inspection, and certification. Inspections are performed by certified controllers using a 133-point control checklist covering identification, braking, steering, visibility, lighting, wheels, suspension, chassis, and emissions, with sessions lasting 30-45 minutes and results delivered immediately; specialized lines exist for 4x4s, camping cars, classic/collection vehicles, GPL/GNV-powered vehicles, and utility vehicles.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer and direct-to-fleet model through its owned and affiliated center network, supported by digital services including online appointment booking, online payment at select centers, a customer account portal, a professional fleet account system (agenda-pro.securitest.fr), and a free email/SMS reminder service that alerts customers to upcoming inspection deadlines. Revenue is generated entirely on a per-transaction basis — one-time inspection fees, counter-visit fees for failed inspections, complementary pollution check fees, and voluntary inspection fees — with prices varying by center, region (higher in Paris, Corsica, and overseas departments), vehicle type, and energy source. Customers are predominantly individual vehicle owners subject to the regulatory compliance cycle, with a secondary segment of business fleet operators; approximately 9 out of 10 vehicles pass the pollution test and around 4% exhibit critical failures.

At the parent-group level, SGS holds 32% of the French vehicle technical inspection market through the combined SECURITEST and AUTO SECURITE networks with nearly 2,000 centers nationally, while Vérif'Autos itself contributes the 50+ center subset. The CEO and director of publication is Laurent Palmier. The brand holds the "Label Enseigne Responsable" from Collectif Génération Responsable since 2019 for its sustainability commitments, and the underlying business is operated under strict regulatory oversight from the OTC (Organisme Technique Central) for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes.

Name

Vérif'Autos France

Legal name

SECURITEST SA

Website

https://verifautos.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Vérif'Autos France operates 50+ prefecture-approved vehicle technical inspection centers across metropolitan France, delivering the mandatory 133-point roadworthiness and pollution inspection plus counter-visits and specialized checks for individuals and fleet operators, as a brand of SGS Group subsidiary SECURITEST SA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vehicle Technical Inspection Services

NAICS

Automotive Repair and Maintenance (8111)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

DOT / Regulatory Compliance Inspections & Certifications (FMCSA/State) (TLAKAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emissions Testing (I/M Programs) & Smog Check Stations (TLAKANAF), Multi-Point Inspections & Safety Checks (DVIR/Annual/Periodic) (TLAKAGAB)

Keywords

• Vehicle technical inspection
• Anti-pollution testing
• Counter-visit inspection
• Periodic vehicle control
• Utility vehicle inspection

Headquarters

HQ city

Le Mans

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vehicle Technical Inspection Fees: One-time fees charged for periodic technical inspections (contrôle technique périodique), the first inspection for new vehicles, and periodic inspections every 2 years for regular vehicles or every 5 years for classic cars. Prices vary by center location, vehicle type, and energy source.
2. Counter-visit Fees: Fees charged when a vehicle fails the initial inspection and requires a follow-up visit (contre-visite) to verify repairs. Must be completed within 2 months.
3. Complementary Pollution Inspection: Additional inspection for utility vehicles (véhicules utilitaires) performed between 11th and 12th month following periodic inspection.
4. Voluntary Inspection Fees: Optional pre-emptive inspections at customer request, covering regulatory inspection points fully or partially based on customer preference.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Vérif'Autos France operates a network of more than 50 prefecture-approved vehicle technical inspection centers across metropolitan France, performing mandatory periodic technical inspections (contrôle technique périodique), counter-visits (contre-visite) for failed vehicles, complementary pollution checks, and voluntary inspections. The network uses a 133-point control checklist covering safety, braking, lighting, emissions, and chassis, with certified controllers serving private vehicle owners and professional fleet customers.

Product overview

Vérif'Autos France operates a network of over 50 technical inspection centers across metropolitan France, offering mandatory periodic vehicle inspections (contrôle technique périodique) as its core product. The company, founded in 2004 as part of the Sécuritest network within the SGS group, provides multiple inspection types including counter-inspection (contre-visite), complementary pollution checks (contrôle complémentaire pollution), and voluntary inspections (contrôle technique volontaire). The service portfolio includes specialized inspections for vehicles such as 4x4s, camping cars, utility vehicles, and classic cars, supported by digital services for online appointment scheduling (agenda en ligne), online payment, customer accounts (espace client), professional accounts (espace pro), and free inspection reminder alerts. The network performs 133-point inspections covering safety, braking, lighting, emissions, and environmental standards, with inspections lasting 30-45 minutes and results delivered immediately.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Contrôle Technique Périodique
• Contre-Visite
• Contrôle Complémentaire Pollution
• Contrôle Technique Volontaire
• Contrôle Technique Camping-Cars et 4x4
• Contrôle Technique Véhicules Utilitaires
• Contrôle Technique Véhicules de Collection
• Compte Pro (Espace Pro)

Quantifiable outcome

• 9 out of 10 vehicles pass pollution tests
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SECURITEST SAcoreOthersSECURITEST SA (registered capital €2,745,000, RCS Le Mans B 380 169 193) owns the Vérif'Autos brand. The company is headquartered at 1 place du Gué de Maulny, 72019 Le Mans cedex 2. Monsieur Laurent Palmier serves as CEO and publishing director.
• Collectif Génération ResponsableminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollective organization that awards the 'Enseigne Responsable' label to companies demonstrating sustainable development commitments. Vérif'Autos has been labeled since 2019.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bureau Veritas: Global TIC leader with automotive-related services in France (and wider EMEA) as part of its diversified inspection and certification portfolio. Adjacent competitor for fleet and B2B mandates.
• Apave: Major French TIC group offering vehicle technical inspection as part of a much broader portfolio spanning industrial inspection, building control, and certification. Indirect overlap on the vehicle-inspection product line.
• Intertek France: Global TIC incumbent offering automotive testing and inspection services as part of a diversified portfolio. Operates in the same French regulatory environment and competes for B2B fleet and OEM-side mandates.
• TÜV Rheinland France: German-headquartered TIC group with French operations covering automotive, industrial, and product testing. Broader portfolio but participates in the same regulatory and consumer-testing ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Dekra France: Major German-rooted TIC group operating a competing French vehicle technical inspection network alongside its broader testing, certification, and automotive services. Competes head-to-head for the same mandatory inspection volumes.
• Norisko Auto: Independent French vehicle technical inspection network offering the same mandatory contrôle technique and counter-visit services through its own center base. Direct competitor for both consumer and fleet customers.
• SECURITEST: Direct sister brand also owned by SECURITEST SA / SGS Group, operating under the same mandatory French vehicle technical inspection model with a parallel network of prefecture-approved centers. Same parent, same regulatory framework, same 133-point checklist — the closest direct competitor.
• AUTO SECURITE: Sister brand under SGS Group (acquired August 2005) operating in the same French vehicle technical control market with the same service portfolio. Together with SECURITEST it forms the bulk of SGS's 32% market share.
• Autovision: Approved French vehicle technical control network operating centers nationwide under the same prefecture-approved regime. Competes on price, convenience, and geographic coverage against Vérif'Autos.

Others

• UTAC (Union Technique de l'Automobile du motocycle et du Cycle): French automotive technical services group providing type approval, testing, and homologation services. Not a direct competitor in the periodic contrôle technique retail market, but operates in the same regulatory/automotive TIC ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/V%C3%A9rif-Autos-767823636749434
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/v%C3%A9rif-autos-france

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Vérif'Autos France