TÜV costs (2022): This is how expensive the main inspection (HU) is

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Every two years – for new cars it’s three – a car has to have a general inspection (HU) by a monitoring organization such as TÜV, DEKRA and Co. At this compulsory event, all vehicles are checked for road safety. Here you can find out what costs you have to reckon with, who issues the badge and what you are threatened with if the HU deadline is not met!

TÜV costs 2022

The fees for the HU can differ slightly depending on the testing organization and federal state. At TÜV SÜD, for example, the costs for the HU are currently 89 euros for cars – including emissions testing, 133.90 euros are due (prices in North Rhine-Westphalia, source: TÜV SÜD). For motorcycles it is 54 euros or 76 euros including exhaust gas analysis.

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A general inspection sticker, which states the next date of the main inspection (here June 2022), is stuck on the rear license plate of a car in Berlin on September 3rd, 2019.

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Incidentally, the emissions test (AU) can be carried out independently of the main inspection. In this case, too, testing organizations such as TÜV, DEKRA, KÜS, but also certified workshops are the right contacts. The HU appointment must then take place within two months after the (passed) AU. The AU certificate is simply presented at the main inspection. If the period between AU and HU is exceeded, the AU is invalid and must be repeated in connection with the HU.

costs for the follow-up examination

If there is no sticker at the main inspection due to significant defects, the owner has one month to have the defects repaired and to present the repaired vehicle at the follow-up inspection. This then costs an average of 15 to 20 euros, here too the prices vary depending on the federal state and testing organization.

It is advisable to register the appointment for the follow-up examination in good time. Because if you take more than a month, you have to have the entire main inspection carried out again and also pay all the fees again. It is not possible to extend the one-month period for the follow-up examination.

You are free to decide where the follow-up examination is to be carried out. It does not have to be the test center where the main inspection was carried out. And what happens if the vehicle doesn’t convince the inspectors in the re-inspection either? In this case, the follow-up examination can be repeated within four weeks.

Costs for the change or individual acceptance

If the vehicle is modified or converted according to your own wishes and ideas (beyond the extras offered by the vehicle manufacturer), every change requires approval. Otherwise, the operating permit expires and the vehicle is no longer approved for road traffic.

There are two ways to have the changes approved: either change approval or individual approval. The change acceptance is the less complicated and cheaper option. Prerequisite: You have a test certificate – i.e. a parts certificate, a general operating permit (ABE) or an EC type approval.

For example, if you install a sports exhaust system, you will receive a parts certificate when you buy it, which is presented to a recognized testing organization (DEKRA, KÜS, GTÜ, TÜV) during acceptance. This gives you the document required for the admissions office. Only then will the change be entered in the papers. The costs depend on the individual case, usually 30 to 50 euros are due for a change acceptance.

The second variant is colloquially known as individual acceptance, special acceptance or full acceptance. The official designation is “Assessment according to paragraph 21”. This approval may only be carried out by an officially recognized expert, in most cases the way leads to the TÜV, sometimes also to DEKRA.

An assessment is necessary if no valid test certificate is available. Then the expert draws up a report, with which you then receive a new operating license for the entire vehicle from the registration office. Because the vehicle is completely checked for applicable law, the scope and ultimately the bill is significantly higher. It is not uncommon for this to amount to several hundred euros.

TÜV in the workshop

The main inspection does not necessarily have to be carried out on site by one of the monitoring organizations. The HU and AU also offer accredited workshops. One advantage of the certified workshops is that minor damage found there can be repaired before acceptance by an officially recognized inspector.

On the other hand, if you go directly to the testing organization, you run the risk of higher costs and time if the sticker is not issued after all.

Passing TÜV: What can happen?

Anyone who does not meet the HU date must expect additional costs. If you get caught in a traffic check, you risk a fine and a point in Flensburg.

Even if the delay goes unnoticed by the police, additional costs may be incurred at the latest during the main inspection. Because the testing organizations are obliged to carry out an “extended test” if there is a delay of more than two months, which increases TÜV costs by 20 percent.

Tips: Save money on TÜV costs

In order to save money, it makes sense to compare the regional prices for the HU and the AU at different organizations in advance. Anyone who fears defects in their car can have their car checked beforehand at their trusted workshop.

In this way, the fees for the verification can be avoided. In addition to the price comparison, you can also save time with some preparatory work. For example, anyone can check the tread depth of the car tires or the condition of the windshield themselves.

You can check these things yourself before the TÜV appointment:

General

– Pack the vehicle registration document and, if necessary, other documents (proof of a change acceptance, general operating permit)

– License plate is legible and attached

– Vehicle identification number matches those in the papers

– Speedometer works

– First aid kit is available and the expiry date applies

– Warning triangle and safety vest are on board

discs and mirrors

– Windscreen is undamaged

– Condition of the windscreen washer system and windscreen wipers is good

– Rear-view mirrors are intact

lighting and electrical equipment

– Lights and indicator lights work

– No error messages for electronic driving dynamics systems

– Reflectors and headlights are fine

– Headlight range control works

– All lamps are on

– Battery is firmly anchored and in good condition

– Horn and heater fan work

steering

– Steering works silently and the steering play is small

– Steering is smooth and accurate at impact

brakes

– Brakes are free

– Handbrake engages securely and can be easily released again

– Brake system is tight

– Brake fluid level correct

wheel and tires

– Minimum tread depth is at least 1.6 millimeters

– Tires are worn evenly

– Tires do not show any damage such as dents or cracks

– The specified direction of rotation of the tires is correct

– Rims undamaged and securely fastened

Drive, chassis and body

– Frame or load-bearing parts are not rusted through

– Fuel lines and hoses are tight

emissions and noise levels

– The exhaust is tight and correctly fastened

– No warning or indicator lights are flashing

– No blue smoke or soot comes out of the exhaust

Source: TÜV Süd

MOT costs for trailers

Car trailers must also be checked at regular intervals. For example, a trailer up to 0.75 tons or without its own braking power has to be checked 36 months after the first registration and then every two years. The tread depth, age and condition of the tires are also checked here.

Lights, indicators, rear lights and license plate lights must work, there must be no rust on the frame or holes in the loading floor. If there is a tarpaulin, it must be free of holes and tears. (HU and AU: These things will be checked!)

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