Increase in Serious Defects Found During Vehicle Inspections
Recent data from Germany's road safety authorities indicates a notable rise in the number of serious defects identified during mandatory vehicle inspections for passenger cars. In 2024, inspection engineers from authorized testing organizations determined that over 144,000 cars exhibited hazardous issues or were declared unfit for road use. This represents a 3.2 percent increase in reported defects compared to the previous year, despite a slight decrease in the total number of vehicles inspected.
The statistics, published by the Federal Motor Transport Authority, show that only about 65 percent of cars passed inspections without any objections, a decrease of 0.6 percentage points from 2023. Out of more than 22 million vehicles examined throughout the year, inspectors found multiple categories of defects, ranging from minor to severe. Notably, over 11,700 vehicles were deemed completely unfit for operation, meaning they could not legally leave the inspection premises under their own power. While this figure marks a slight decrease, the number of cars identified with dangerous defects rose to approximately 132,000. These vehicles are required to be transported directly to a repair facility or home and must undergo a follow-up inspection after necessary repairs are completed.
Additionally, inspectors recorded more than 4.6 million cases of substantial defects. Vehicles in this category may remain in use but must be repaired promptly and also presented for a subsequent inspection. Minor defects were reported in approximately 2 million cases, while no defects were found in 14.4 million vehicles.
Experts attribute the increase in serious defects to a growing proportion of older vehicles being presented for inspection. Over recent years, the number of new car registrations has declined, and there is an ongoing trend toward aging vehicle fleets. Data reveals that newer cars are significantly less likely to exhibit defects; for example, 90 percent of vehicles aged up to three years pass the inspection without issues. This rate drops to 71 percent for cars aged eight to nine years, and falls below 50 percent for vehicles ten years or older.
When expanding the analysis to include all types of vehicles, including motorcycles, trucks, trailers, and other categories, a total of 31 million inspections were conducted nationwide in 2024. Across these inspections, authorities identified 25.5 million defects, an increase of several hundred thousand compared to the previous year. It is common for multiple defects to be found on a single vehicle.
The most frequently cited issues were related to lighting and electrical systems, accounting for 6.6 million defects. Problems with braking systems followed closely with 4.6 million cases, while faults in axles, wheels, tires, and suspensions were identified 4.3 million times.
This trend highlights the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and the potential safety risks associated with an aging vehicle fleet. As older cars make up a larger share of road traffic, both owners and policymakers may need to consider enhanced measures to ensure ongoing roadworthiness and public safety. The findings also suggest that continued vigilance during inspections is necessary to address emerging challenges in vehicle safety as the national car fleet evolves.