Overview
- Significant or dangerous defects were found in 20.4% of vehicles, up 0.8 percentage points from the 2023 report.
- The analysis covers roughly 2.31 million main inspections conducted in 2023 and 2024 across all weight classes.
- Heavy lorries over 18 tonnes had the highest defect rate at 21.9%, ahead of small transporters at 21.5%, with mid‑weight trucks at 16.5%.
- Frequent faults included defective lighting, engine oil leaks and axle‑suspension issues, with risks increasing as vehicles age.
- TÜV points to very high annual mileages for trucks (KBA: ≥7.5 t averaging 43,309 km; tractor units 86,585 km) and maintenance shortfalls at some operators, and calls for data access to test safety systems.