A total of 10.2 million cars passed through the hands of TÜV technicians in the period from July 2023 to June 2024. From them, the test room selected 228 models, which it then divided into six categories according to age. Today we will focus on those in which the technicians most often discovered a serious problem during the inspection, and thus failed the technical inspection at least the first time.
Every fifth car, 20.6% to be exact, passed the technical inspection conducted by the German TÜV testing agency with a failure. Compared to last year’s result, this is a slight deterioration.
The number of detected minor defects also increased from 11.2 to 11.5 percent – these do not affect the order of the ranking, as they do not affect the affixing of a plaque on a successfully completed inspection.
However, the older the car, the greater the chance that some of the serious defects will eventually appear during the technical inspection: while 6.4 percent of cars failed the inspection among two- to three-year-old cars, in the category of 12- to 13-year-old cars it was already 28.1 percent.
“The number of defects is increasing for the third time in a row, and at the same time the proportion of vehicles that come to the technical inspection in perfect condition is also decreasing,” says k this year’s results executive director of the TÜV association Joachim Bühler. In case of a more serious defect, the car owner has four weeks to fix it, after which he must come to the station repeatedly.
However, if a dangerous defect is detected, the car is only allowed to go directly to the service center. Approximately 160,000 of these came to the TÜV test room for inspection. However, approximately 15,000 vehicles were prohibited from driving on the spot. The main reasons included broken brake lines, blocked steering or corrosion of supporting parts.
In this year’s TÜV ranking, the electric car Tesla Model 3 fared remarkably badly, showing the highest number of serious defects twice. “Out of 111 tested cars in the category under three years, with 14.2 percent of serious defects, the Tesla Model 3 is in last place,” TÜV reports, adding that this car also finished last in the category under five years.
Model
Number of serious defects
2-3 years Tesla Model 3 14.2%
Ford Mondeo
13,2 %
Škoda Scala 11.8%
4-5 let
Tesla Model 3
19,7 %
Volkswagen Sharan
17,7 %
BMW series 5 / 6 17.7%
6-7 light Dacia Dokker 26.5%
Dacia Duster 24.3%
BMW series 5 / 6 23.6%
8-9 light Dacia Dokker 30.9%
Dacia Duster 29.7%
Dacia Sandero 28.6%
10-11 let
Dacia Logan
39,6 %
Dacia Duster 34.1%
Renault Twingo 33.0%
12-13 let
Renault Twingo
41,5 %
Dacia Logan 41.0%
Renault Clio 39.8%
The unflattering result can be partially explained by the fact that Teslas usually show a much higher number on the odometer than is common for a given age: two- to three-year-old cars have an average of 53 thousand kilometers in their test records, while the average for the entire category is 42 thousand. For four- to five-year-old Teslas, it is even 74,000 compared to the average of 62,000.
According to Joachim Bühler, however, the poor results of the Model 3 cannot be excused even by a high mileage. “In addition to defects on the brakes and axles, the Model 3 also has a particularly large number of defects in the lighting. This, among other things, also points to deficiencies in maintenance,” says the expert.
The suspicion that the poor results of individual models may be due to the effort to save on servicing is therefore relevant this year as well. According to Bühler, car maintenance and care often suffer from the difficult economic situation of their owners. This would also explain the fact why cheap Dacias are at the top of the list of cars with the biggest problems, while expensive Porsche-type cars are usually among the winners.
The Romanian manufacturer is by far the most represented in the ranking, but the third place for the Škoda Scala among the youngest cars is a surprise. The same result, but in two categories, the BMW 5 and 6 series would no doubt be happy to forgive themselves. The Munich automaker is also the only premium brand in the list of the biggest troublemakers.
Welcome to the TÜV Comedy Club: Where Cars Go to Fail!
According to the latest report from TÜV—a place where cars face judgment day as if they were auditioning for a horror movie—10.2 million cars passed through their discerning hands between July 2023 and June 2024. That’s a lot of metal hoping to avoid the dreaded “You’re not roadworthy!” blurb. Spoiler: 20.6% didn’t make it, showing just how many cars are as healthy as a chocolate donut. Yum!
The Grim Stats
This year, we witnessed cars failing like promise after a new year resolution. The proportion of cars flunking their technical inspections isn’t just a little sour—it’s a bit like biting into a lemon expecting a sweet orange! This failure rate has actually worsened slightly since last year. Who knew driving your car into the testing room could feel like walking a plank?
As if that wasn’t enough, minor defects climbed to 11.5%—a number that rings like a rusty bell, echoing through the aisles of apathy! It’s like they say: “What’s a little rust among friends?” Well, TÜV takes that very seriously! The older your car, the better your chance of an impromptu repair guesswork session. Only 6.4% of cars around the two-to-three-year mark found themselves on the chopping block, but that jumped to a staggering 28.1% for 12 to 13-year-old beauties! Talk about aging like fine wine… or more like milk left out too long!
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
Joachim Bühler, the head honcho at TÜV, quipped, “The number of defects is increasing for the third consecutive year.” So that’s three years in a row… It’s almost like they’re auditioning for a reality TV show titled “Car Wrecks in the Making.” Survival of the fittest? More like survival of the least corroded!
And if you think your defective car can simply stay under the radar, think again! If you’re caught with dangerous defects, it’s straight to the service center! Imagine your car being told, “Get back in there, you’re not fit for public appearance!” 160,000 vehicles went through this melee, with 15,000 getting a one-way ticket to repair hell—thanks to issues like broken brake lines and flaking paint jobs that scream, “Help me!”
Shockingly Bad News for Tesla
But hold onto your steering wheels! In a plot twist nobody saw coming—apart from maybe their new marketing team—the Tesla Model 3 is the runaway winner in the “Most Likely to Fail” awards! They’ve taken the top spot with 14.2% serious defects for under-three-year-old models. Talk about electrifying news—unless we’re talking about damaging defects in the brakes and lights. “Who needs a brake light when you’re already breaking hearts?” Oh, Tesla, what have you done to the concept of being a luxury ride?
Let’s Break It Down
| Age | Model | Number of Serious Defects |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 years | Tesla Model 3 | 14.2% |
| Ford Mondeo | 13.2% | |
| Škoda Scala | 11.8% | |
| 4-5 years | Tesla Model 3 | 19.7% |
| Volkswagen Sharan | 17.7% | |
| BMW Series 5 / 6 | 17.7% | |
| 6-7 years | Dacia Dokker | 26.5% |
| Dacia Duster | 24.3% | |
| BMW Series 5 / 6 | 23.6% | |
| 8-9 years | Dacia Dokker | 30.9% |
| Dacia Duster | 29.7% | |
| Dacia Sandero | 28.6% | |
| 10-11 years | Dacia Logan | 39.6% |
| Dacia Duster | 34.1% | |
| Renault Twingo | 33.0% | |
| 12-13 years | Renault Twingo | 41.5% |
| Dacia Logan | 41.0% | |
| Renault Clio | 39.8% |
In Conclusion
One thing’s for sure: if you’re driving a Dacia, you may be in for some surprises—mostly of the not-so-great kind. But don’t get too comfortable in your expensive luxury car either; it seems that money can’t always buy you safety. It’s almost poetic, isn’t it? So, here’s a tip: next time you’re thinking of test driving that brand-new machine, maybe consider giving it a spa day before it hits the road! Or hire a mechanic who isn’t afraid of getting dirty. Either way, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled; you’ll never know what lurks beneath!
A staggering total of 10.2 million vehicles underwent inspections by TÜV technicians between July 2023 and June 2024. From this vast pool of cars, the testing facility meticulously selected 228 models, categorizing them into six distinct age groups. In this article, we delve into those categories where the TÜV technicians frequently identified serious issues during inspections, resulting in significant failures at the initial evaluation.
Remarkably, one in five cars, precisely 20.6%, did not pass the rigorous technical inspection carried out by the renowned German TÜV testing agency. This year’s statistics indicate a slight decline compared to last year’s outcomes, highlighting a troubling trend in vehicle maintenance across the board.
The percentage of detected minor defects has seen a rise, increasing from 11.2% to 11.5%. While these minor issues do not affect the rankings for successful inspections, they still indicate a growing concern among vehicle owners regarding their automobiles’ condition.
It is crucial to note that older vehicles are particularly prone to more serious defects during these technical assessments. For instance, only 6.4% of cars aged two to three years failed inspections, compared to a staggering 28.1% failure rate among vehicles aged 12 to 13 years, clearly illustrating the correlation between a car’s age and the likelihood of failing the TÜV examination.
“The number of defects is increasing for the third consecutive year, and concurrently, fewer vehicles are arriving at the technical inspection in optimal condition,” remarks Joachim Bühler, executive director of the TÜV association. If technicians identify a serious defect, vehicle owners are granted a four-week period to rectify the issues before undergoing another inspection. Conversely, if a vehicle is found to have a dangerous defect, it is directed immediately to a service center for urgent repairs.
During the inspection period, approximately 160,000 cars were flagged for serious defects, with about 15,000 vehicles being deemed unsafe to drive on the spot. The primary culprits for these failures included issues such as broken brake lines, blocked steering mechanisms, and significant corrosion of essential support components.
This year’s TÜV ranking revealed troubling results for the electric vehicle Tesla Model 3, which recorded the highest instances of serious defects. Specifically, 14.2% of the 111 inspected cars in the two- to three-year age category were found to have serious issues, placing the Tesla Model 3 at the bottom of the list. It performed just as poorly in the under-five category, further raising eyebrows about the vehicle’s reliability.
Model
Number of serious defects
2-3 years Tesla Model 3 14.2%
Ford Mondeo 13.2%
Škoda Scala 11.8%
4-5 years Tesla Model 3 19.7%
Volkswagen Sharan 17.7%
BMW Series 5 / 6 17.7%
6-7 years Dacia Dokker 26.5%
Dacia Duster 24.3%
BMW Series 5 / 6 23.6%
8-9 years Dacia Dokker 30.9%
Dacia Duster 29.7%
Dacia Sandero 28.6%
10-11 years Dacia Logan 39.6%
Dacia Duster 34.1%
Renault Twingo 33.0%
12-13 years Renault Twingo 41.5%
Dacia Logan 41.0%
Renault Clio 39.8%
The disappointing performance of the Tesla Model 3 can be partially attributed to its higher-than-average mileage; for instance, the two- to three-year-old models have an average of 53,000 kilometers driven, starkly contrasting with the overall category average of just 42,000 kilometers. For the older four- to five-year-old Teslas, the mileage escalated to an average of 74,000 kilometers, surpassing the general average of 62,000 kilometers.
Despite these mileage factors, however, Bühler maintains that the subpar results of the Model 3 cannot be justified solely on high usage. “Alongside issues related to the brakes and axles, the Model 3 is also plagued by a significant number of lighting defects, pointing to potential lapses in maintenance,” he asserts.
This suspicion that the poor performance of individual car models might stem from attempts to cut corners on servicing is particularly relevant this year. Economic pressures on vehicle owners often lead to diminished attention to car maintenance. This trend could explain why budget-friendly Dacias dominate the rankings for vehicles with the most significant problems, in contrast to the more expensive, high-end brands like Porsche, which typically feature among the most reliable models.
The Romanian manufacturer Dacia stands out prominently in the ranking, showcasing multiple entries at the top for vehicles plagued with issues. Interestingly, the Škoda Scala’s third-place performance among the youngest models is a surprising result. Similarly, the BMW Series 5 and 6, while known for their premium positioning, find themselves amongst the models categorized with the most serious faults.
What are the defect rates for Dacia vehicles compared to other brands?
5%
Dacia Logan 41.0% Renault Clio 39.8% The TÜV inspection results highlight a concerning trend in vehicle maintenance, especially among older models. The data reveals that Dacia vehicles frequently appear at the top of the lists of defects across various age categories, particularly notable in the 10-11 and 12-13 year ranges. The following is a summary of serious defect percentages according to the age of the vehicles and their respective models: As the statistics indicate, while some brands like Dacia showcase higher rates of serious defects as vehicles age, the Tesla Model 3 has raised concerns regarding defects even in newer models. This data serves as a vital reference for car owners and potential buyers, highlighting the importance of regular maintenance and thorough inspections, regardless of a vehicle’s age or market reputation.
Summary of Defect Rates by Vehicle Age and Model
