New Delhi, Sept. 16 -- Consumers are showing a marked preference for stringent automated vehicle testing over testing at regional transport offices (RTOs).

In 2025, one in four vehicle testing appointments was for automatic testing centres, as shown by data available on the Parivahan Analytics and Reporting Portal, operated by the road ministry. Last year, 1 in 10 appointments was for automatic testing.

Newer and more advanced vehicle testing methods are gaining importance because of India's decarbonization drive and crackdown on end-of-life vehicles.

Older vehicles undergo routine tests to determine whether they have reached the end-of-life stage. At automated testing centres, checks related to emissions and braking, for instance, can...