Seat Belts - Airbags

During the inspection of the vehicle’s safety systems, the following components are carefully checked:

• Seat belt anchorage points and mounting: The condition and secure mounting of the seat belt anchorage points are inspected.

• Seat belt webbing condition: The webbing is checked for wear, tears, visible excessive stretching, or any other damage that could affect its safe operation.

• Seat belt buckle: The condition of the buckle is inspected, and it is verified that the seat belt locks and releases correctly.

• Retractor / return mechanism: The seat belt retractor is checked to ensure that the return mechanism operates correctly.

• Load limiter and pretensioners: Where the vehicle is equipped with these systems, the condition and proper operation of the load limiter and seat belt pretensioners are inspected.

• Airbags: The airbags are inspected where they are fitted or specified by the vehicle manufacturer.

• SRS malfunction warning light and electronic diagnostics: The SRS malfunction warning light is checked, together with any fault or malfunction indicated through the vehicle’s electronic interface.

Section 7.1 of the applicable vehicle technical inspection table covers seat belts, buckles, anchorage points and restraint mechanisms. The classification of a defect depends on the specific finding and its severity.

Inspection codes and defect classification

7.1.1.a – Damaged anchorage point
This finding is classified as a major defect. If the damage affects the stability of the anchorage point, it may be classified as a dangerous defect.

7.1.1.b – Loose seat belt anchorage
A loose or inadequately secured seat belt anchorage is classified as a major defect.

7.1.2.a – Required seat belt missing or not fitted
If a seat belt that is mandatory for the vehicle is missing or has not been fitted, the finding is classified as a major defect.

7.1.2.b – Seat belt damage
General damage or limited deterioration of the seat belt may be classified as a minor defect, depending on its condition.

7.1.2.b – Tear or evidence of excessive stretching
If the seat belt shows a tear or visible evidence of excessive stretching, the finding is classified as a major defect.

7.1.2.c – Seat belt does not meet the requirements
If the seat belt does not comply with the applicable requirements, the finding is classified as a major defect.

7.1.2.d – Damaged or malfunctioning buckle
If the seat belt buckle is damaged or does not lock and release correctly, the finding is classified as a major defect.

7.1.2.e – Damaged or malfunctioning retractor
If the retractor, meaning the seat belt return mechanism, is damaged or does not operate correctly, the finding is classified as a major defect.

What this means in practice

Not all types of seat belt wear are assessed in the same way. A seat belt showing only minor or superficial wear may be assessed differently from one that is torn or shows clear signs of excessive stretching.

By contrast, situations such as a required seat belt being missing, a buckle that does not lock correctly, or a retractor mechanism that does not operate properly are treated by the vehicle inspection criteria as major defects. If damage to an anchorage point affects its stability, the defect may be classified as dangerous.

In modern vehicles, the seat belt forms part of an integrated restraint system and operates together with additional electronic and pyrotechnic safety components.

During the technical inspection, these related components are also checked where they are specified by the vehicle manufacturer and fitted to the vehicle.

Load limiter

The load limiter helps control the amount of force exerted by the seat belt on an occupant in the event of a collision.

• If the load limiter is visibly missing or is found to be unsuitable for the vehicle, the finding is classified as a major defect.

• If a fault in the load limiter is detected through the vehicle’s electronic interface, it is also classified as a major defect.

Seat belt pretensioners

Pretensioners form part of the restraint system and, where fitted, are designed to rapidly remove slack from the seat belt in the event of a collision.

• If a pretensioner is visibly missing or is not suitable for the vehicle, the finding is classified as a major defect.

• If a pretensioner fault is detected electronically through the vehicle’s electronic interface, the finding is also classified as a major defect.

What this means in practice

The inspection is not limited to the seat belt webbing and buckle. In vehicles equipped with load limiters and pretensioners, both the presence and suitability of these components are checked, together with any faults that can be detected electronically.

A missing or unsuitable component, as well as an electronically detected malfunction in these systems, is treated as a major defect.

The technical inspection is not limited to seat belts. The same section of the vehicle inspection criteria also covers airbags and Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS).

Inspection codes and defect classification

7.1.5.a – Airbag visibly missing or unsuitable for the vehicle
If an airbag is visibly missing or is found to be unsuitable for the specific vehicle, the finding is classified as a major defect.

7.1.5.b – System fault detected through the electronic interface
If the system indicates a fault through the vehicle’s electronic interface, the finding is classified as a major defect.

7.1.5.c – Airbag clearly not operational
If an airbag is found to be clearly non-functional, the finding is classified as a major defect.

7.1.6.a – SRS malfunction warning light indicates a fault
If the SRS / Airbag malfunction warning light indicates a system fault, the finding is classified as a major defect.

7.1.6.b – SRS fault detected through the electronic interface
If the SRS indicates a fault through the vehicle’s electronic interface, the finding is also classified as a major defect.

Important: SRS / Airbag warning light

If the Airbag or SRS warning light remains illuminated because the system has recorded a fault, this is explicitly treated as a major defect during the technical inspection.

However, a manufacturer-approved deactivation of the front passenger airbag for a specific purpose, such as the installation of a suitable child restraint system, should not be confused with a system malfunction.

What this means in practice

The inspection checks not only whether the airbags and SRS components are present where required, but also whether they operate correctly and whether the vehicle has recorded any related electronic faults.

A missing, unsuitable or non-functional airbag, as well as an active SRS fault indication, is treated as a major defect.

Most significant defects involving seat belts and restraint systems are classified as major defects during the vehicle technical inspection.

In certain cases, however, the severity of the finding may result in it being classified as a dangerous defect. One such example is damage to a seat belt anchorage point when the damage affects its stability.

Typical examples

Required seat belt missing
If a seat belt that is mandatory for the vehicle is missing, the finding is classified as a major defect.

Buckle does not lock correctly
If the seat belt buckle does not lock properly or does not operate correctly, the finding is classified as a major defect.

Retractor does not operate correctly
A damaged or malfunctioning seat belt retractor mechanism is classified as a major defect.

Torn or excessively stretched webbing
If the seat belt webbing is torn or shows clear signs of excessive stretching, the finding is classified as a major defect.

Loose seat belt anchorage
A loose or inadequately secured seat belt anchorage is classified as a major defect.

Damaged anchorage affecting stability
If damage to the seat belt anchorage point affects its stability, the finding may be classified as a dangerous defect.

SRS fault warning light illuminated
If the SRS / Airbag malfunction warning light remains illuminated because the system has detected a fault, the finding is classified as a major defect.

Airbag missing or not operational
If an airbag that is required for the vehicle is missing or is found not to be operational, the finding is classified as a major defect.

What this means in practice

In most cases, a significant fault involving the seat belt, buckle, retractor, SRS or airbags will result in a major defect classification.

The classification may become more severe when the fault directly affects the safe restraint of an occupant. In particular, if a damaged anchorage point can no longer provide the required stability, the defect may be classified as dangerous.

The section on seat belts and restraint systems is based on the applicable Greek legislative framework governing vehicle technical inspections, together with the relevant provisions of the Greek Road Traffic Code.

Ministerial Decision 340141/2022 — Government Gazette 5759/B/10.11.2022

Ministerial Decision 340141/2022 amended Ministerial Decision οικ. 19111/192/2019 and replaced Annexes I and II.

For the section concerning seat belts, buckles and restraint systems, the main reference is:

Annex I → Section 7.1 “Seat belts / seat belt buckles and restraint systems” → Items 7.1.1 to 7.1.6.

These provisions cover, among other things, inspections relating to seat belt anchorages, webbing, buckles, retractors, load limiters, pretensioners, airbags and the SRS.

Ministerial Decision οικ. 19111/192/2019 — Government Gazette 1003/B/26.03.2019, as amended and in force

This decision establishes the method, procedure and certification requirements for vehicle technical inspections carried out by public and private Vehicle Technical Inspection Centres (KTEO).

It forms a key part of the regulatory framework under which the relevant vehicle inspection procedures are carried out, as amended and currently in force.

Joint Ministerial Decision οικ. 49372/3352/2017 — Government Gazette 2726/B/04.08.2017, as amended and in force

This Joint Ministerial Decision forms a fundamental part of the legislative framework governing the periodic roadworthiness testing of motor vehicles and their trailers, in accordance with the applicable European roadworthiness testing framework.

Law 5209/2025 — Government Gazette 100/A/13.06.2025

Greek Road Traffic Code

The current Greek Road Traffic Code also contains important provisions relating to seat belts:

Article 16, paragraph 5
The use of seat belts is mandatory for both drivers and passengers. When children are transported by car, appropriate child restraint and protection systems must be used.

Article 85, paragraph 17
Passenger cars and goods vehicles with a maximum permissible weight of up to 3,500 kg must be equipped with seat belts on the front seats.

Article 88, paragraph 6
Passenger cars first put into circulation in Greece after 1 January 1993 must also be equipped with seat belts on the rear seats.

Main legislative reference for this page

For the eKTEO page “Seat Belts & Restraint Systems”, the primary reference is:

Ministerial Decision 340141/2022 — Government Gazette 5759/B/10.11.2022
Annex I → Section 7.1 → Items 7.1.1 to 7.1.6

Important notice

The exact classification of a defect depends on the type and severity of the fault, as well as on the category, specifications and equipment of the particular vehicle.

The information provided on this page is intended for general informational purposes only. It does not replace an official vehicle technical inspection, the assessment of an authorised KTEO inspector, or the full text of the legislation currently in force.

Sources: Hellenic Government Gazette — Ministerial Decision 340141/2022 (Government Gazette 5759/B/10.11.2022), Ministerial Decision οικ. 19111/192/2019 (Government Gazette 1003/B/26.03.2019), Joint Ministerial Decision οικ. 49372/3352/2017 (Government Gazette 2726/B/04.08.2017), Law 5209/2025 (Government Gazette 100/A/13.06.2025), as amended and in force.