WHEELS 'N CUSTOMS TECHNICAL GUIDE: BELGIAN GOCA VEHICLE INSPECTION & LOWERING RULES

For car enthusiasts in Belgium, lowering a car with lowering springs or a coilover kit is often a source of great uncertainty. Whereas in the Netherlands the MOT only checks that the springs do not come loose in the spring seats at maximum droop and the tyres do not rub, the Belgian Technical Inspection (GOCA / Flanders & Wallonia) enforces one of the strictest regulations in the world. A lowered car that does not have the correct paperwork will be rejected on the spot and issued a Red Card (prohibited on public roads).

Frequently asked questions from our Belgian customers are: "How do I get a lowered car through inspection in Belgium without problems?", "What is the difference between the 9 cm and 11 cm ground clearance rule?", "What is the mandatory installation certificate and who may complete it?" and "Which brands provide an approved GOCA validation report?" In this complete guide, the chassis specialists at Wheels 'N Customs break down the entire inspection procedure, the required documents and the measurement methods step by step.

During the specific 'Inspection after Lowering' the inspection centre drives the car over an official GOCA detection beam. This measurement beam is 80 cm long and tests the free ground clearance under the vehicle while the driver (or a ballast weight of 75 kg) is seated in the car:

To legally homologate a lowered vehicle, the inspection centre requires three official, original documents. If even one signature or stamp is missing, the inspector may not register the lowering:

An inspection after lowering is an additional inspection that takes place by appointment at an accredited inspection station of SBAT, ACT, Autoveiligheid or AIBV. This is the sequence of the inspection lane:

• 1. Document check: The inspector verifies that the chassis number on the validation report matches the car and that the installation certificate is correctly stamped by the installer.
• 2. Physical Inspection of the Strut Assemblies: On the inspection ramp the inspector checks with a mirror lamp whether the numbers stamped on the coil springs and shock absorbers (such as the KBA or manufacturer number) 100% match the numbers on the certificate. So make sure the springs are clean and the numbers are legible!
• 3. Measurement Hub to Wheel Arch Edge: Using a calibrated measuring rod the inspector measures the distance from the exact centre of the wheel hub straight up to the edge of the wheel arch. These values are recorded.
• 4. The Detection Bar & Suspension Test: The vehicle slowly drives over the 11 cm detection bar and is placed on the plate unit to check for play in ball joints and spring seats. The springs must remain firmly clamped in the seats at maximum extension.
• 5. Issuing the Tuning Report: Is everything approved? Then the station issues a Tuning Report. This official document should from that moment be kept with your onboard documents (alongside the registration certificate and the green inspection certificate) and must be presented at any police check and subsequent inspection.

Wheels 'N Customs supplies only A-brands that have the required official documentation for the Belgian market:

Make sure you avoid these common faults before you enter the inspection lane:

• 1. Self-completed installation certificate: You may never sign the installation certificate yourself. Even if you are an experienced mechanic, the law requires the official company stamp and signature of a registered car workshop.
• 2. Illegible part numbers on the springs: Due to road grime, salt or tectyl the white numbers on the springs are sometimes unreadable. Clean the springs thoroughly with a soft cloth before the inspection. If the inspector cannot read the number, they may not approve the vehicle.
• 3. Coilover screwed lower than the TÜV/GOCA range: The certificate states exactly what the minimum distance from the lockring to the mounting eye must be (e.g. "Restgewinde min. 25 mm"). If you screw the kit lower than this range, it will be rejected, even if you achieve the 11 cm ground clearance.
• 4. Too wide wheels or wheel spacers: In Belgium, wheel spacers and protruding wheels are strictly forbidden for the inspection. Ensure your wheels sit 100% within the arches and remove spacers before the inspection appointment.
• 5. Alignment not within specification: A wheel alignment report showing negative camber or toe outside the tolerance limits of the certificate will result in immediate re-inspection.