Good news: In the past year too, the number of vehicles with serious defects in the TÜV NORD statistics was slightly less. The percentage went down from 25.2 to 24.7 per cent of all vehicles tested. However, it is also true that almost every fourth vehicle has such serious problems that it has to be repaired before the TÜV badge can be attached. And: unfortunately there are fewer vehicles without any defects at all: the percentage has fallen from 63.2 to 61.9 per cent. Nevertheless, including the 13.4 per cent of vehicles where slight defects were found, altogether three quarters (75.3 per cent) of all vehicles receive their badge from the TÜV inspector at the first test. The number of cars which are considered unfit to be on the road and which have to be immobilised immediately continues to be low, at an encouraging 0.06 per cent. This is the result of the statistical analysis of all the regular periodic inspections which were carried out from mid-2014 to mid-2015 at the more than 200 TÜV STATIONS and in more than 10,000 partner workshops.
The changing trend regarding the number of vehicles with serious defects had already started in the year before. Whilst in previous years, the percentage rose continuously from 18.6 to as high as 25.8 per cent, it fell back to 25.2 per cent in 2014. This trend is now continuing with a further fall to 24.7 per cent.
As Hartmut Abeln, Managing Director at TÜV NORD, said: „We are pleased about this change of direction as regards the percentage of defects. The manufacturers build good vehicles which can still be on our roads after many years without serious defects. If drivers are now paying more attention to maintenance and care of their vehicles and have inspections and services carried out when they are due, that will have a positive effect on the safety of our roads. It is quite clear: those who take care of their vehicle and have it serviced in a specialist workshop need have no worries about the periodic TÜV inspection, like three quarters of our customers. We would also like it if people would check their lights before starting their journey as a matter of course.”
The distribution of vehicle defects found also shows that drivers may give their vehicle lighting less attention that it deserves. “Lights, electrical equipment“ are again way ahead at the top of the list of defects. And this despite the fact that it is relatively simple to check and repair the vehicle lighting. Not one, but several lighting defects are often found during the periodic inspection. The annual vehicle lighting initiative, which is offered each October by TÜV NORD among others, also serves to correct lighting defects before the dark time of year begins.
Overall, the TÜV statistics show that the most frequently found defects are, in order of occurrence, “lights, electrical equipment”, “brakes” and “environmental pollution”.
The older the vehicles that attend the TÜV inspection, the higher the number of those who do not receive their badge at the first visit. The current TÜV NORD figures make this clear: at the first inspection after three years, 8.3 per cent of the vehicles exhibit serious defects. After five years this already rises to 14.4 per cent, and so it continues up to eleven years, when 34.7 per cent of vehicles have to be sent to the workshop for repair.
The average mileage, which besides the age can be seen as a cause of wear and therefore of defects, is now 51,273 kilometres for three-year-old vehicles and 133,982 kilometres after eleven years.
Please note: those who are still driving with a yellow TÜV badge for 2015, should soon make an appointment at their local TÜV STATION. At the start of the new year, the colour of the “due” badges turns to brown and so the colour shows that the TÜV inspection date has been exceeded. After two months, this results in a fine, and from the 8th month, a point is recorded in Flensburg against the driver.
The B Class from Mercedes Benz is listed as the best car with the fewest defects in the TÜV Report 2016.
The TÜV Report, which lists vehicle defects according to make and model and can therefore be used as an aid to decisionmaking when purchasing a used car, is available at all TÜV STATIONS and at newsagents at a cost of 4.50 Euros.
About TÜV NORD GROUP
With over 10,000 employees, TÜV NORD GROUP is one of the largest technical service providers, offering its advisory, service and inspection expertise in over 70 countries throughout the world. Areas of activity include Industrial Services, Mobility, IT and Training. TÜV NORD GROUP occupies a unique position in the sector based on its work in the fields of natural resources and aerospace and is firmly committed to its guiding principle and watchword: “Excellence for your business”.