Car Inspection in Germany (TÜV)
Hauptuntersuchung (HU)

This page contains the following topics:

1. Which Germans organization offers periodic car inspections (TÜV)?
2. What is car inspection (HU) in Germany?
3. TUV sticker
4. Periodic inspection of different vehicle
5. Vehicles that don’t need an emission test (AU)
6. Self-checklist before going for the TUV inspection
7. Classification of defects

Learn German on Your Own
A self-study guide for beginners

Which German organizations offer periodic car inspections (TÜV)?

Car inspection in Germany is generally known as TÜV. The exact German term for general vehicle inspection is Hauptuntersuchung (HU in short form).

TÜV (Technischer Überwachungsverein) is a private firm that previously enjoyed a monopoly over general car inspections (Hauptuntersuchung) in Germany. However, today, TÜV is not the sole firm responsible for periodic vehicle inspections. Other firms like DEKRA, GTÜ, and KÜS are also eligible for vehicle inspections (HU).

You might not have to go far to get your automobile inspected. TÜV can be performed at the workshops of any of the above-mentioned firms or even at your local workshop that has a contract with inspection firms for HU.

What is car inspection (HU) in Germany?

HU has been mandatory in Germany since 1951. The test consists of two parts.

1. Emission test (AU)
2. Vehicle’s general traffic safety and compliance test (HU)

1. Vehicle emissions assessment

The AU (emission test) is performed prior to the main inspection (HU). The emission test (Abgasuntersuchung, or AU in short) measures the amount of gases emitted by a vehicle's exhaust pipe, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and soot particles, in the case of diesel motors. Since 2018, tailpipe particle measurement has been reintroduced. The test is performed at different engine speeds and temperatures. Before 2018, the OBD readings were considered sufficient, and no tailpipe measurements were required. Environmental stickers are issued based on the AU test. Please read the topic, Environmental Zones in Germany, for further details.

2. Mechanical and electrical performance evaluations

HU is a vehicle mechanical and electrical performance test. If a mechanical or electrical flaw is discovered during the inspection, the owner is given a 4-week deadline to repair the problem. After passing the test, the automobile receives a new HU sticker valid for two years.

TUV sticker

The HU badge, also known as the TÜV sticker, indicates the year and month of the upcoming inspection. The TÜV sticker is round and gets a specific new color each year.

How to read the TÜV sticker in Germany

Authorities change the color of the TÜV sticker each year, so that it can be easily identified from a distance. The above-shown sticker is valid until 2018. That is evident by the number 18 in the center of the circle. The month is mentioned directly above the two-digit year number, at 12 o'clock. In the above sticker, it is March. So, the owner must arrange the next inspection in March 2018.

The numbers are not easy to read on a small sticker. There is also a second indication for the month. There are black bars at the edge of the circle. They show the month in the form of the clock hand. In the above image, the clock hand, formed by black bars, is exactly at 3 o'clock. Which indicates the 3rd month (i.e., March). With the help of the sticker’s color and black bars, law enforcement authorities can easily read the next due inspection date, even without going closer to the vehicle.

The following table shows how the colors of TÜV stickers are changed periodically each year.

TÜV certificate validity

How long is a TÜV valid?
If you buy a brand new car, the first TÜV will be due after three years. Then, every two years, you have to renew the TÜV. The inspection timeline is different for various vehicle classes. Please see the below table to see periodic inspection timetable of different vehicle types.

Vehicles that don’t need an emission test (AU)

The following vehicles do not need to undergo the emission test in Germany. However, they do require a general traffic safety and compliance test (HU).

• Agricultural vehicles (tractors, etc.), self-propelled work machines, which do not resemble forklifts or trucks
• Gasoline-engine vehicles with the following specifications:
  • Three-wheel vehicles or vehicles having less than 400kg total weight, vehicles with a top speed of less than 50 km/h, or vehicles that were registered before July 1969
  • All types of motorcycles with their first registration in Germany before January 1, 1989
• Diesel engine vehicles with the following specifications:
  • Vehicles with less than four wheels
  • Vehicles with a maximum speed of not more than 25 km/h
  • Vehicles that were first registered before January 1977

Self-checklist before going for the TÜV inspection

• Seat belts must work properly.
• Check the mirrors (both interior and exterior). There should be no crack or damage.
• There should be no crack or damage to the windshield in the area above the steering wheel.
• Check the windshield wipers. The windshield wash system must work properly.
• Check if all the lights on your vehicle are working properly. Check low and high beams, day running lights (if available), parking lights, all turn signals, hazard lights, tail lights, reverse gear lights, and lights for the rear registration plate.
• Check the dashboard lights, i.e., ABS, battery, oil, airbag, seat belt, and parking lights. They should not light up continuously. They only light up when the engine starts and then turn off.
• Check for any leakage of the engine oil, gear oil, and radiator fluid.
• Check the horn.
• Check the exhaust pipe. It should be tightly attached to the vehicle’s body and should not sound loud.
• Registration plates must be properly fixed in their positions.
• If the vehicle has a tow hitch, it should be attached.
• If the vehicle has removable seats, they all should be attached and fixed.
• Check the tire profiles. The minimum allowed profile depth in Germany is 1.6 mm. Please see the page German tire laws for more details.
• The vehicle must have the following equipment:
  • Warning triangle
  • Warning vest
  • First-aid kit with a valid expiration date
  • Electric and plug-in hybrid cars must have their charging cables in the vehicle.
• Check for all the documents, i.e.,
  You must take your Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I with you and any extra document that has details of any after-factory change in your vehicle, i.e., if you or the previous owner has changed the default tires with bigger, smaller, or wider tires, etc.
• In the case of an unregistered vehicle, you must have Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II with you.

Classification of defects found during the TÜV inspection

Defects are classified based on their severity, from HW (lowest) to VM (highest).

According to inspection guidelines (HU guidelines), the following are classifications and details of defects that can be found during an inspection..

1. HW is the short form of the German word Hinweise, which means comments.
   Comments indicate future defects, such as early wear and tear of a specific part, corrosion, etc., that are already becoming apparent. Comments do not cause a problem with the current inspection.
2. GM stands for the German term Geringe Mängel (minor defects).
   These minor defects are expected to be eliminated immediately. If the minor defect is eliminated, a HU sticker is issued.
3. EM stands for Erhebliche Mängel (serious defects).
   EM is issued for defects that endanger traffic or pollute the environment. A review inspection is mandatory in this case. The (TÜV) inspection sticker (HU sticker) is not assigned in this case.
4. VM stands for Verkehrsgefäharde Mängel (traffic-endangering defects).
   VM is the abbreviation for more dangerous defects than the EM classification, but they do not cause an immediate ban on the vehicle from operating on public roads. VM represents the repairable classification of the most dangerous defects. The inspection sticker (HU sticker) is not assigned in this case. However, if defects are removed within the given time period, the sticker is issued.
5. VU stands for Verkehrsunsicher (unsafe to drive).
   VU is the last classification. The vehicle is extremely unsafe for public roads or is a direct hazard to the environment. In this case, the existing sticker is removed, and the authorities are informed. The vehicle is no longer eligible to operate on public roads. However, a review is possible.