Mängelquote bleibt trotz Fahrzeug-Rekordalter stabil

For example, 60.2 percent of all cars were completely free of defects and 14.2 percent were found to have minor defects during the HU. The age was 11.9 years, which is a new record. Despite this stable rate, more than one in four vehicles (25.4 percent) still has such serious defects that it has to be repaired before the sticker can be affixed. At 0.06 percent, the number of unsafe vehicles that have to be taken out of service immediately remains at a pleasingly low level.

The fifth defect category, “dangerous defects”, which was newly introduced in May 2018, is classified as a “significant defect”. A “dangerous defect” represents a direct and immediate traffic hazard or significantly impairs the environment; for example, if all the brake lights on a vehicle have failed. This is the result of the statistical analysis of all main inspections carried out at more than 250 TÜV NORD stations and in over 10,000 TÜV NORD partner workshops from June 2023 to June 2024.

General inspection at TÜV NORD ensures road safety

The unbiased look at the defect rates of the TÜV experts is once again proof of the effectiveness of the independent and neutral main inspection, which is usually due every two years and for which vehicles with defects are sent to the repair stores. This encourages drivers to invest in keeping their cars in good technical condition - to the benefit of general road safety.

Hartmut Abeln, Managing Director at TÜV NORD Mobilität, says: “Despite the increasing age of vehicles - which is currently reaching a new record level - we are pleased to note that the defect rates are not increasing any further. This underlines the important role of regular general inspections at TÜV NORD. It ensures that even older vehicles are safe on the road and that potential defects are detected at an early stage. Particularly pleasing is the growing number of e-cars in the general inspection, which reflects the progress of the mobility transition and illustrates the increased interest in alternative drive systems.”

Although the vast majority of vehicles that come to TÜV NORD stations for an MOT are still powered by combustion engines, the number of fully electric vehicles is continuing to increase. The TÜV NORD GROUP is also promoting the expansion of electromobility. The number of zero-emission company cars continues to rise. In addition, the charging infrastructure at TÜV NORD GROUP locations is being successively expanded in order to make a tangible contribution as a company to greater sustainability and the reduction of the CO2 footprint.

Increasing vehicle age makes more intensive care and maintenance necessary

The older the vehicles are at their TÜV appointment, the higher the number of those that do not receive a sticker at the first attempt. The latest TÜV NORD figures prove this: At the first MOT at the age of three years, 6.2 percent of cars are found to have significant defects. At the age of five years, the figure is already over 9.1 percent.

The average mileage, which in addition to vehicle age is also a reason for wear and tear and therefore defects, is currently 44,097 kilometers for three-year-old vehicles and 65,987 kilometers for five-year-old vehicles. Important: If you are currently still driving with a green sticker, you should make an appointment with your MOT soon. This is because the color of the sticker will change from green to orange at the turn of the year. This means that the police, for example, will be able to see immediately if the MOT date has been exceeded. After more than two months, a warning fine is then due and from the eighth month, a point is even added in Flensburg.

Numerous e-cars among the top 50 with the lowest defect rate

The Honda Jazz is listed as the car with the fewest defects of all age categories in the entire TÜV Report 2025. The Volkswagen Group follows in second place with the VW Golf Sportsvan and the Q2 from Group subsidiary Audi. Bringing up the rear is the Model 3 from Tesla. In general, however, many e-cars make it into the top 50 in the overall assessment, including the e-Golf from Volkswagen, the Hyundai Kona Elektro, the Mini Cooper SE and the ID.3.

The TÜV report, which lists type-specific vehicle defects in detail and is therefore an important guide when buying a used car, is available at every TÜV STATION and in magazine shops for the price of 5.90 euros.

Further information on the study can be found here: https://www.tuev-nord.de/de/privatkunden/ratgeber-und-tipps/auto-ratgeber/tuev-report/
 

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