01:15 24-11-2025

2025 TUV report: Tesla Model Y leads defects; VW and Mercedes shine

The new 2025 TUV report delivered an unwelcome low for Tesla: the Model Y emerged as Germany’s most defect-prone car in the 2–3-year age bracket. With 17.3% serious faults, it even surpassed the Model 3, which had been the worst for two years running. The main trouble spots were the suspension, brakes, and lighting. These are fundamentals you feel every day on the road, and they’re hard to disguise with software tweaks.

Overall, the picture is deteriorating: one in five cars in Germany fails its inspection on the first try, and the share of major defects has risen by almost a percentage point. Also in the “red zone” among older age groups are the BMW 5 and 6 Series, the Dacia Duster, and the Renault Clio. Inspection centers are clearly seeing age expose weak points across both mainstream and premium badges.

But there are winners. VW holds a firm lead in the 4+ year bracket: the Golf Sportsvan, T-Roc, and Touareg earned top marks. The Mazda CX-3, Mercedes B-Class, and Fiat 500e also ranked among the most dependable. Among 2–3-year-old cars, the standouts were the Mazda 2, BMW 1 Series, Mercedes C-Class, and VW T-Roc. VW’s breadth here feels less like luck and more like a process that’s working.

For the first time, TUV introduced a long-term quality award—and Mercedes claimed it. The brand’s 10-plus-year-old models show a defect rate of just 18.5%, a figure on par with “almost new” Teslas. Audi took second place, with Toyota third. For used-car buyers, that kind of staying power often matters more than spec-sheet fireworks.