Controletechniquegratuit.com

Controletechniquegratuit.com, operated by the parent company 1806, was a French digital platform that connected motorists with automotive service centers. Launched in 2016 by founder Jonathan Habersztrau, the company aimed to disrupt the vehicle inspection market. After securing approximately $789K in an Angel funding round in early 2017, the business grew to a team of twelve people.

The firm's business model was centered on providing vehicle technical inspections to car owners at no cost. In exchange, users provided detailed information about their vehicles and maintenance habits, creating a digital service record. This data was the core asset monetized by the company. Revenue was generated from partner garages and service centers who paid to be on the platform, gaining access to a stream of potential customers needing maintenance, repairs, or other vehicle-related services. The platform functioned by allowing car owners to book an appointment for their technical inspection at a partner location and leave without payment, while their data was collected and stored securely.

The service, however, faced significant opposition from industry professionals who argued it devalued the work of certified inspection operators. This led to legal action by the professional trade organization CNPA. In June 2019, the High Court of Paris ruled against the company, deeming its brand 'deceptive' and ordering the closure of the website and the nullification of its domain name. The company had reportedly ceased operations and entered liquidation earlier that year.

Keywords: vehicle inspection, automotive services, digital service record, car maintenance data, lead generation for garages, French auto market, 1806, Jonathan Habersztrau, CNPA lawsuit, deceptive trade practices, auto tech platform, free vehicle check, data monetization, garage partnership model