Cars have changed a lot in recent years, but the main inspection has remained the same. According to ideas from TÜV, Dekra and other inspection organizations, this should change fundamentally.
New cars have to undergo a general inspection (HU) after three years, and used cars every two years. Then they go to the TÜV, Dekra or other inspection organizations. In total, more than 30 million cars are inspected in Germany every year.
But the testing standards are outdated. The rapidly advancing automation and electrification of vehicles, such as new mandatory assistance systems , have not yet been tested. TÜV, Dekra & Co. have collected ideas in the Charter 2030 (PDF document) on how the HU should develop further.
The testing organizations name the following main points for the further development of the HU:
- More test content: Existing test content is to be revised or supplemented, for example for automated and networked driving systems.
- Dynamic tests: Dynamic function and effectiveness tests are intended to complement static electronic status tests. In the future, it would be possible to determine in a test drive whether traffic sign recognition or emergency braking assistance actually work.
- Software: The vehicle software should also be checked, for example for available updates.
- Vehicle data: The provision of and access (via OBD/OTA vehicle interfaces) to all vehicle information relevant to the investigation should be enshrined in law.
- Vehicle file: All relevant data about a car should be stored in the electronic vehicle file.
- Online inspections: On-site inspections are to be supplemented by remote-assisted inspections as needed. On the basis of the vehicle information, abnormalities in safety and environmentally relevant components, assemblies and systems are to be identified and the restoration of the target state is to be checked.
- Pollutant measurement: The measurement of nitrogen oxides in diesel engines and particle count in gasoline engines is intended to supplement the tailpipe measurement.
- High-voltage tests: There will be various new high-voltage tests specifically for electric cars relating to the battery, motor and charging port.
- New laws: New legal standards are needed, especially for access to vehicle data.
The list currently only contains suggestions. However, it seems clear that the MOT needs to be adjusted. Experts assume that more extensive tests will also result in higher costs for drivers. The average MOT currently costs around 150 euros.
