Catching Expensive Surprises: Why Your Car Might Fail a Safety Check
- By Christian Hensen
- 2.5 Min
Cars unable to pass the TÜV certification due to minor flaws - Cars falter and collapse during TÜV inspections due to minor flaws.
Last year, nearly one in five vehicles flunked the mandatory safety check in Germany. Only 67.8% of vehicles sailed through with flying colors. Luckily, avoiding the cost of a retest isn't rocket science.
During a safety check, the vehicle is evaluated based on four main categories. Vehicles with no detected defects receive a pass and a sticker without a hitch. However, "minor defects" don't necessarily deem the vehicle unworthy. Scratched mirrors or troublesome license plate lights, for instance, might fall under this category. These issues are noted but don't require a retest.
However, "major defects" are a different ballpark: Worn tires, defective brakes, or rusted supporting parts will cause a failure. You'll then have four weeks to rectify the issues and re-register for another inspection. During this period, the vehicle can be driven. If the necessary repairs are duly certified, a new sticker is awarded.
Matters get more grave with "dangerous defects." These defects pose a direct threat to traffic safety or the environment and could lead to the refusal of a sticker outright. Moreover, if a dangerous defect is recorded, the vehicle can only be driven to your home or workshop. You must re-present the vehicle within a month to receive a sticker.
If an inspector identifies an "immediate traffic hazard," however, the vehicle can be immobilized on the spot. Road access is promptly revoked until the issue is resolved.
Effortless Passing: Tips to Acquire the Sticker on the First Attempt
Securing the sticker without a retest is achievable—TÜV offers checklists to guide you. Some items on the list call for rudimentary checks, while others are easy to verify. Here's a rundown:
- Are all interior and exterior lights working?
- Are all glasses (headlights, windows) undamaged?
- Do windshield wipers and windshield washer function?
- Does the car brake as intended?
- Does the horn respond?
- Is the engine compartment "dry"?
- How much tread remains on the tires?
- Does the warning triangle, vest, and first aid kit with a valid expiration date reside in your vehicle?
- Does any dashboard indicator light up during a drive?
- Have you checked your vehicle documentation for oversight?
If everything checks out, voila! A successful safety check is in the bag. Safety inspections held at workshops carry a higher probability of detecting and rectifying any defects before the inspector arrives, relieving you of worry and the need to execute the checklist.
Fascinating tidbits sometimes pop up during inspections that one might not think of, like the prohibition of blind-spot mirrors or the possible reasons for a minor defect in a convertible (lack of a sun visor). Inspectors often dislike films on the front windows, painted headlight covers, or unapproved LED lights.
- TÜV
- Car
- Vehicle
- Safety Check
Insightful Details:
- Lighting Problems: Faulty or misaligned headlights, broken or non-functioning tail lights, turn signals, brake lights, and license plate lights are frequent reasons for failing safety inspections. Lighting is crucial for visibility and signaling intentions on the road.
- Tire Issues: Worn tread below the legal minimum (1.6 mm), uneven wear, damaged tires, or incorrect tire sizes can result in failure. Proper tire condition is critical for safety.
- Brake System Defects: Minor issues like uneven brake pad wear, slight leaks in brake lines, or problems with brake lights can cause failure in the inspection.
- Exhaust and Emissions: Faulty or missing exhaust parts, excessive emissions beyond permissible limits, or leaks in the exhaust system may lead to rejection.
- Windshield and Wipers: Cracks or chips in the windshield that impair vision, and malfunctioning or worn wiper blades are common minor defects.
- Suspension and Steering Components: Excessive play in steering, worn shock absorbers, and broken suspension springs can cause failure even if they are minor.
- Seatbelts and Safety Equipment: Non-functioning or damaged seatbelts, missing or broken mounting points.
- Miscellaneous: Loose or missing parts, broken mirrors, and issues with the horn or other signaling devices. Overcome these issues by following the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended service intervals for checking brakes, tires, lights, and fluids. Conduct a pre-inspection yourself or at a garage to verify lights, tire tread depth, wiper function, and fluid levels. Clean headlights and license plates to maintain visibility. Replace worn components like tires before tread wears too low, replace worn brake pads and wiper blades promptly. Check for fault codes using an OBD-II scanner to ensure no indicator lights (like the check engine light) are on before inspection. Ensure headlights are correctly aligned to prevent poor illumination or glaring other drivers.
- The community policy should include provisions for regular vehicle safety checks to prevent expensive surprises during inspections.
- Vocational training programs in automotive industries can provide the necessary skills for car maintenance, helping vehicles pass safety checks with flying colors.
- Financing options for vocational training could be a vital resource for individuals looking to improve their car maintenance skills and secure the vehicle safety check sticker.
- Infrastructure investments in transportation, such as repair shops, could facilitate easier access to vocational training and car-maintenance services, thereby promoting better vehicle safety and an improved lifestyle.
