Newsroom
Companies conducting vehicle inspections as part of the Takata airbag recall are under fire for imposing hefty administrative fees, with some charging up to €160 for inspections that should be free under European regulations. The issue was at the center of Thursday's Parliamentary Transport Committee meeting, where MPs demanded urgent action to protect consumers.
According to reports, several owners have paid the inspection fee only to discover their vehicles did not have the defective airbags. MPs argued that the fees contradict EU laws, which stipulate that recall measures should be carried out at no cost to consumers.
Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades explained that 80,000 recall notifications were issued based on distributor data, as the ministry lacked the technical knowledge to verify which vehicles contained the faulty airbags. He defended the decision to notify all potentially affected owners, prioritizing driver safety.
The Ministry expects the recall rate to accelerate significantly from mid-March, once replacement parts arrive in Cyprus. So far, approximately 6,000 vehicles have undergone the recall process.
MPs also raised concerns about how the recall process is delaying vehicle transfers, prompting the Ministry to propose legislative amendments. The Legal Service will return to the committee next week with further clarifications on the legal framework surrounding administrative fees, with MPs seeking a quick solution.
Investigations into the recall process are ongoing, with a three-member committee tasked to examine the issue, dating back to 2004 when Cyprus joined the EU. The Ministry remains in regular contact with distributors to monitor progress and ensure safety targets are met.
