Last year ICTS carried out 9,950 periodic inspections in Zeebrugge, Ghent, Antwerp, and Uithoorn, on its own rental fleet and customers’ trailers.
Some trailers come in for the inspection alone, without ICTS preparing them first. The most common reasons a trailer is sent back are brake problems, faulty lights, tyre issues, shock absorbers leaking oil, loose bolts and chassis numbers that can no longer be read.
Public inspection data put tyres and lights high on the list too. In 2025 the Dutch RDW recorded 257,237 defects on 102,986 semi-trailers, led by damaged tyres, side marker lights, and rear lights. In Germany, the TÜV report for 2025 found no defect on 73.9% of trailers over 3.5 tonnes, with rear lighting the most common fault on trailers over 10 tonnes.
Paulina Zalewska, Workshops Manager at ICTS:
“Before sending a trailer for its technical inspection (MOT in Belgium or APK in the Netherlands), our technicians check the main safety points, including the tyres, brakes, lights, suspension, chassis, and coupling. We also look for visible damage, loose parts and any issues with the chassis number, such as whether it is still readable. This helps us identify and fix problems in advance, avoiding failed inspections, extra costs, and unnecessary downtime.”
Preparing a trailer usually takes one to three days, depending on the work needed and whether damage has to be repaired. If larger parts have to be ordered, it can take longer, depending on availability, so get in touch early to agree a date. Combining the work with the six-monthly A-service saves a second trip.
To book preparation and inspection, contact workshop@icts-group.eu.