This summer, the National Assembly issued an order aimed at tightening the rules governing automotive professionals. In practice, a business would have to conduct at least 200 vehicle transactions each year to gain access to the SIV, the Vehicle Registration System. Yet, according to a recent study, nearly three-quarters of micro and small-to-mid-sized garages don’t meet this threshold.
A Faulty Idea Against Fraud?
On July 21, an official decree concerning access to the SIV was published. For context, the SIV is the Vehicle Registration System, a framework launched in 2009. It is a centralized file accessible to garages and dealers that enables transactions to buy and resell vehicles.
However, numerous fraud cases have been noted in recent years by the authorities. This prompted a tightening of access to the SIV. Henceforth, automotive professionals must carry out at least 200 transactions per year and have been in business for at least three years. While the measure on paper may help curb fraud, it carries another consequence. According to some lawmakers and the FNA, three quarters of small, independent garages would not meet the threshold and could no longer sell vehicles.
The FNA highlights, via its own inquiry, that 78% of professionals in its network performed fewer than 200 operations per year. “The risk is even greater in rural areas, where 83.7% of the owners interviewed remain below the 200-transaction threshold. The FNA estimates that excluding them would shrink the territorial network and further distance motorists from a licensed professional.”
What Measures Should Be Taken Instead?
To halt the implementation of the decree, the FNA proposes alternative measures instead. According to the federation, these measures are fairer and prevent endangering the smallest garage operators. In the statement, it reads: “The FNA calls for the withdrawal of the contested provisions.”
“If withdrawal is not feasible, the Federation proposes lowering the threshold to 100 operations per year in order to preserve the activity of already authorized professionals and maintain territorial coverage. It also wants the condition of three years of activity to apply only to new professionals seeking accreditation.”
For professionals already authorized to access the SIV, they have until October 1 to meet the new criteria. For new entrants, the thresholds apply at registration. In addition to these measures, the FNA recommends granting access to ANTS as an alternative solution for professionals who can no longer access the SIV. This is a delicate situation for many garages across France.
Time will tell what the government will decide regarding this situation. In the meantime, thousands of garages could lose the right to sell vehicles.
