Filenews 28 September 2025 - by Angelos Nikolaou
The implementation of the Decree of the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, which provides from October 3, 2025, for the automatic cancellation of Certificates of Suitability (MOT) for all vehicles whose airbag recall has not been completed within the eight months provided for by the relevant legislation, is expected to have serious consequences for thousands of drivers.
This regulation is part of a wider network of prevention measures aimed at preventing tragic incidents, since, as underlined in the risk assessments of the manufacturers themselves, these airbags may explode dangerously, endangering the lives of passengers.
However, according to information, many vehicle distributors still have not even arranged an appointment with owners who came to replace the problematic parts. The problem is particularly acute in vehicles with Takata airbags, for which an increased number of pending recalls are recorded.
The situation is suffocating the market, as it seems almost impossible to complete the required work by the deadline. It therefore becomes a one-way street for the Ministry of Transport to proceed with an extension of the relevant deadline, which may happen even tomorrow.
The Minister of Transport, Alexis Vafeadis, characteristically stated "it has never left our mind whether we will be able to achieve the implementation of all the revocations within 8 months. We are monitoring developments daily and are in constant contact with those involved."
The Minister spoke of large information campaigns, both through television, radio and outdoor advertising, as well as through intensive efforts by the Department of Road Transport (TOM) to pressure distributors and crews to speed up the procedures.
During the meeting of the Road Safety Council last Monday, the Report of the Working Group was presented, which resulted from the study of the conclusion of the Three-Member Investigative Committee on the recalls and imports of vehicles from the EU and third countries.
Among the report's recommendations adopted by the Council are:
>Reopening of the Road Safety Unit, as an institutional coordination hub for the information, supervision and implementation of measures.
>Registration of professional importers and creation of a Register, to shield the profession and avoid "paratroopers".
>Institutionalization of mandatory control of recalls through VIN, before the registration of a vehicle in the Republic.
>Strengthening supervision and institutionalizing corrective measures, even in imported grey vehicles.
>Creation of a VIN Portal platform, for public access to recall information.
Legal gaps and questions
The report asks a series of questions to the Legal Service, asking for clarifications on:
* The role and obligations of distributors and importers in relation to the notification of recalls and the implementation of corrective measures.
*Whether importers of vehicles from third countries are considered manufacturers under Regulation (EU) 2018/858.
*The responsibility of the authorized repairer and whether recalls should be made exclusively through him.
* Whether corrective actions should be offered free of charge, even to imported "grey" vehicles.
Vafeadis: The state assumes its proper role
According to Mr. Vafeadis, "the Government is determined to proceed with targeted interventions, legislative regulations and institutional breakthroughs in the field of road safety. We will not leave gaps. We will not allow the repetition of past mistakes."
The restart of the Road Safety Unit is considered by the Ministry as the "return of the state presence" in an area characterized by complexity and to date a lack of effective coordination.
The Ministry invites all vehicle owners to visit the Ministry of Transport's website and check if their vehicle falls under the recalls. The process is free of charge and ensures the legality and safety of the vehicle.
In conclusion, the pressure on distributors is increasing, while uncertainty about the consequences for owners may lead to a universal extension of the measure. The state's intention to fix the malfunctions is clear, but implementation at the market level remains the big bet.
"Bell" from the Working Group
Important issues and serious deficiencies in relation to the import, approval and supervision of vehicles in the Republic of Cyprus are brought to light by the Report of the Working Group appointed by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, pursuant to Article 4(4) of the Road Safety Law of 1986.
The report, which was drafted by the heads of three critical services (Department of Road Transport, Department of Electromechanical Services and Traffic Department of the Police Headquarters), records a series of findings and submits recommendations aimed at a complete restructuring of the framework for the approval and supervision of vehicles, especially those imported from third countries, the so-called "grey vehicles".
The Working Group proposes an extensive set of institutional, legislative and organizational interventions that are deemed necessary to enhance road safety and the proper management of vehicle imports in Cyprus. The implementation of the recommendations will require strong political will, close cooperation between actors and, above all, the establishment of a clear and enforceable legislative framework.
The recommendations are the result of the study of the findings of the report of the Three-Member Investigative Committee on the placing in the Cypriot Market of Vehicles from the EU, the import of vehicles from third countries, as well as the recall of these vehicles and recommendations.
Gaps in communication between actors
The Working Group identifies serious shortcomings in the flow of information among the members of the Road Safety Council. Characteristically, as noted, reports of the Department of Electromechanical Services on serious issues, while sent to the Police, were not communicated to the Ministry of Transport or other members of the Council. This fact demonstrates, according to the report, the need to institutionalize a mechanism for immediate and meaningful information between all those involved.
Legislative gaps and the need for compliance
Particular reference is made to the need to abolish the existing legislation on the type approval of vehicles (Law of 2005 and Regulations of 2003), which are now considered obsolete, and to completely replace them with the provisions of European Regulation 858/2018.
The Group recommends the introduction of alternative requirements for the national individual approval of vehicles, the establishment of an independent Market Surveillance Authority, separate from the Type Approval Authority (which is currently the Department of Road Transport), as well as the creation of a framework for the supervision and recall of vehicles, including those imported from third countries.
Reconstitution of the Road Safety Unit
The recommendations of the Three-Member Committee for the restructuring of the institutional framework, the establishment of a new Road Safety Unit, the risk assessment, and the regulation of the car importer profession are detailed.
The creation of a specialized Road Safety Unit, with expanded responsibilities and a clear role in the coordination and implementation of the national road safety policy, is recommended by the Three-Member Committee in the context of the conclusions of the Investigative Committee.
The Unit will consist of a minimum of a civil engineer specializing in road safety, a transport engineer and an administrative officer. Its core responsibilities will include:
The handling of all issues of the Ministry's competence in the field of road safety.
The role of the executive and administrative body for the implementation of the decisions of the Road Safety Council.
Participation in European bodies, such as the European Commission's High Level Group on Road Safety.
The drafting of bills and the continuous cooperation with the Police, the Department of Public Works and the Department of Road Transport for the revision of the Road Traffic Code.
The Unit will also function as an information hub, with responsibilities in data analysis, recording road accidents and connecting to European databases such as CARE.
Evaluation and upgrade of the Road Safety Council
The Committee is making a series of recommendations to modernize the operation of the Road Safety Council and ensure its direct involvement in important issues:
Definition of a convening procedure in cases of urgency.
Activation of subcommittees to examine issues and present them to the Council.
Participation of non-governmental organizations and private bodies (e.g. Vehicle Technicians) in subcommittees.
Creation of a mechanism for continuous mutual information between Departments for serious incidents.
Establishment of a communication plan and awareness campaigns.
Establish annual accountability and performance indicators.
The committee recommends the creation of a stable accident control and expert sub-group, with appropriately trained staff.
Preparation of a risk assessment mechanism
With the aim of improving market surveillance and consumer protection, it is proposed to establish a risk assessment mechanism, in line with the EU Risk Assessment Methodology.
The mechanism will specialize in the characteristics of the Cypriot market, which includes a large number of imported vehicles from third countries. The analysis will take into account parameters such as: Vehicle Age, Type and Origin, Import Status, Recall History.
The Commission recommends that the Market Surveillance Authority cooperate with experts to develop the relevant methodology, while a sample of vehicles from the Register will be used for annual checks.
Legislative regulation of the profession of car importer
In an effort to control the quality and reliability of vehicles imported into the Republic, a proposal is submitted for the establishment of a Register of Vehicle Importers and Manufacturers Distributors.
The conditions for registration in the register include:
Certification of compliance with Regulation (EU) 858/2018.
Criminal record, financial viability and technical competence.
Infrastructure (offices, exhibitions) and compliance with a Code of Conduct.
Penalties and bans for violations.
The new arrangement is expected to work in tandem with other regulators, such as the Contractors Council or the Real Estate Agents Council.
Modernization of the NIVA process
The Commission is also proposing significant changes to the way individual vehicles are imported and checked from third countries. Among other things, the following are proposed:
Alignment with Regulation (EU) 2018/858 by setting strict alternative requirements.
Mandatory VIN check before importation, with verification of the existence of active recalls.
Establishment of Pre Delivery Inspection by an authorized body.
Creation of a recall platform with access for citizens, customs and other stakeholders.
Create a dashboard of compliance indicators by importer.
Information campaigns to the public on recall controls.
For vehicles that are already on the road, it is recommended that all models be inspected without European type approval by the CPI, while it is also proposed to establish a procedure for vehicles without a representative in the Republic.
Necessary clarifications from the Legal Service
The Working Group, without commenting on the conclusions of the Investigative Committee and the positions/opinions/conclusions that have been sent to the Legal Service for its own actions, considers that they should be asked in the form of questions to the Legal Service in order to determine both the competences and the responsibilities of the Supervisory Authority, the Press Approval Authority and the economic operators so that the legislative framework can be established in this way. which will regulate both imports of vehicles from third countries and national individual type-approval procedures and the application of corrective measures. The Report lists a series of legal questions to the Legal Service, requesting an interpretation of critical articles of Regulation 858/2018, such as:
-Designation and responsibilities of the manufacturer, agent and importer.
-Distributors' obligations for recalls and implementation of corrective measures.
-If private importers bear recall responsibilities after the transfer of the vehicle.
-Obligations of authorized repairers.
-Institutional recommendations for the strengthening of Road Safety
The Working Group proposes clear changes to the way the Road Safety Council operates, including:
>Establish issues that should be discussed directly in the Council and which are promoted through subcommittees.
>Institutionalization of a rapid convocation of the Council for serious incidents.
>Annual report on actions and performance indicators.
>Widening the participation of actors, including NGOs and professional organizations.
*In addition, it proposes the re-establishment of the Road Safety Unit, staffed with expert scientists and technocrats, which will function as:
*Executive body of the Road Safety Council.
* Central coordinator of road safety strategy issues.
*Representative of Cyprus in European committees, such as the European Observatory CARE.
Need for mutual information and risk assessment mechanisms.
The Exhibition also highlights the need to create:
>>A mechanism for mutual information between state departments, not only for traffic accidents, but also for wider road safety issues (e.g. black spots, ambulance delays, inadequate markings).
>>A Risk Assessment Mechanism for market surveillance, in accordance with EU guidelines and based on Cypriot statistical data.
Importers and "grey zones" of responsibility
One of the most sensitive and poorly regulated issues is that of the responsibilities of importers of vehicles from third countries. The Working Group points out the need for:
>Registration and regulation of the profession of vehicle importer, with a clear obligation to comply with the provisions of Regulation 858/2018.
>Establish a register of importers and distributors, based on specific criteria of reliability, financial solvency and technical ability.
>Determination of the obligation to inform about recalls, but also responsibility for the implementation of corrective measures, even in gray vehicles.
It is noteworthy that the group's observation that the drastic limitation of national individual approvals to specific categories (such as ambulances, vehicles for disabled persons or returnees' vehicles) is not in line with the spirit of Regulation (EU) 2018/858.
