Periodical Technical Inspectio
Everything you always wanted to know about the general inspection. Your questions about the Periodical Technical Inspection with expert answers from our TÜV NORD test engineers.
Use our TÜV NORD general inspection reminder: you will never miss a general inspection appointment again. Simply enter your details and we will automatically send you a reminder.
The date for the next main inspection (HU) can be found in your vehicle registration document. You can also find it on the round inspection sticker on the rear number plate:
The number in the centre of the sticker indicates the year for the next main inspection, while the upright number on the ring of numbers indicates the month.
For deregistered vehicles, you can only find the date on the deregistration certificate or the last inspection report. If you already have new EU vehicle documents, the date of the general inspection can be found on the registration certificate part I (new vehicle registration document), which is no longer retained when the vehicle is deregistered. Tip: Use our TÜV NORD wake-up service: receive a reminder of your next HU inspection date by e-mail in good time and free of charge.
The number in the centre of the HU sticker indicates the year for the next main inspection, the number in the number ring pointing vertically upwards indicates the month.
The colour of the sticker indicates the year in which the next main inspection is due. If my sticker is pink, for example, the vehicle is due for another main inspection in 2023. This makes it possible to recognise from a distance whether a vehicle is on the road with a valid sticker or not. The colour sequence: orange, blue, yellow, brown, pink and green. The colours then repeat again.
The vehicle may not be moved without a valid main inspection and sticker. The vehicle owner is responsible for complying with the specified deadlines. However, it is permitted to drive to the general inspection with an expired sticker.
If you miss the deadline for the main inspection, the law threatens you with fines. The inspection centre will not impose a fine. If, when registering the vehicle, the vehicle registration office establishes that the main inspection (= HU) has expired, you will receive a provisional registration with which you can present the vehicle for the main inspection. The date for the next main inspection is not backdated for deregistered vehicles. If the vehicle has been deregistered for longer than 84 months, you should clarify in advance with the registration office whether an MOT is sufficient or whether a full inspection is required.
The main inspection may not be overdue. The vehicle owner is responsible for complying with the specified deadlines. If the inspection by TÜV NORD has expired, overdue inspections are penalised by law as follows:
For cars, motorbikes, light trailers (vehicles not subject to safety inspections):
If significant defects are found during the HU or safety inspection and you exceed the two-month inspection period, this could cost you a warning fine of €15. In addition, according to the law, there are also fees for any supplementary inspections.
TÜV NORD will of course not penalise you for exceeding the retest period.
No. The backdating of the HU sticker has been replaced by an extended main inspection. An extended main inspection is always required if the HU due date is more than two months overdue. It is 20% more expensive than the normal main inspection.
Our tip: The TÜV NORD appointment service with an immediate appointment turns a long wait into a short pleasure. Simply make an appointment at your nearest TÜV NORD centre . Or you can call us on our free service telephone number: 0800 80 70 600, although it is not essential to make an appointment.
Drivers can generally order the main inspection and exhaust emissions test at state-recognised test centres and certified vehicle workshops. You can have the TÜV NORD main inspection carried out at our TÜV NORD centres or at TÜV NORD partner garages.
You can only have the main inspection carried out in the Federal Republic of Germany.
If your general inspection sticker has expired during a longer stay abroad, you should drive to the nearest TÜV NORD station with the expired inspection sticker as soon as possible after crossing the border. In this case, we recommend that you make an appointment.
The main inspection must then be carried out in the 1st month of the operating period.
The current prices for the various vehicle inspections and federal states can be found on our website Prices and fees.
You should allow around 30 minutes for a normal main inspection of your vehicle. If you make an appointment in advance, you can avoid any waiting times.
The vehicle registration document, in the case of deregistered vehicles the vehicle registration document and, if available, registration certificate part I (new vehicle registration document)
In the case of a follow-up inspection, the inspection report from the previous main inspection
If applicable, the test certificates or modification acceptance certificates for add-on parts, e.g. special wheels, lowering springs or accessory steering wheels, if these are not entered in the vehicle documents
With a few simple steps, you can check your vehicle for any defects and have them rectified before the main inspection. Use our TÜV NORD checklist to prepare for the main inspection.
If the main inspection is 2 months late, a so-called in-depth or extended main inspection is carried out. This means that they subject your vehicle to an even more detailed functional and safety inspection. With an extended main inspection, the costs for the inspection increase by around 20 per cent - plus possible repair costs and a further follow-up inspection.
The main inspection (HU) has been adapted to the further development of vehicle and testing technology. The aim is to ensure the efficiency and high quality of the general inspection, taking full account of modern vehicle safety systems and thus promoting road safety.
Car owners receive a standardised nationwide description of the defects found in their vehicle. It contains the name of the affected vehicle part, the defect itself and the location of the component. Based on this clear description of the defect, you can easily understand the results of the inspection and, for example, place a very precise repair order with your workshop.
In addition to the defects, the inspection report will also include any indications of defects that may become apparent in the near future. However, these indications have no influence on the allocation of the HU sticker.
In addition, the backdating of the HU sticker has been replaced by an extended HU. An extended HU is always required if the HU due date is more than two months overdue. It is 20 % more expensive than the normal HU.
Electronic vehicle systems
Modern vehicles include more and more safety and environmentally relevant vehicle equipment with electronic components, such as anti-lock braking systems, airbags and engine control units. Innovative assistance systems such as dynamic stability systems, brake assistants, active steering systems, distance warning systems and cornering lights are on the rise.
These systems only work with flawless electronic control units, sensors, actuators and electronic contacts and cables.
This technical development is also reflected in the StVZO: safety-relevant electronic vehicle components/systems must be technically inspected regularly.
For vehicles with an on-board diagnostic system (OBD vehicles), we check the system data of the following eight electronic vehicle assemblies/systems using the HU adapter:
Components / systems - Examples
As part of the main inspection, all system data is transferred to the HU adapter in relation to the vehicle. Software is then used to compare the vehicle's installation information, which is stored on the HU adapter, with the system data and the function is then tested in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. This test can be carried out electronically or mechanically. If no deviations are found, the rest of the main inspection is carried out as usual as a visual, functional and efficiency test without dismantling.
With the introduction of the HU adapter, this part is also used to record the hydraulic pressures in the brake lines during the brake test. The brake force distribution and deceleration are calculated from these pressures and the associated braking forces; these values are compared with the manufacturer's specifications and evaluated. This makes it possible for the first time to make a qualified statement on the interaction of brake components and tyres.
Like all other motor vehicles, electric and hybrid vehicles are subject to the general inspection, which comprises over 150 inspection points.
In the case of purely electrically powered vehicles, all inspections relating to engine and environmental management are omitted.
For hybrid vehicles with a combined electric and combustion engine drive, an emissions test is still required, regardless of the design and function of the hybrid drive.
In addition to the test points for conventionally powered vehicles, e.g. brake system, frame, lighting, wheels, tyres, steering system, the following items are also tested on vehicles with electric drive (if installed):
TÜV NORD test engineers have vehicle-specific "test specifications and instructions" at their disposal for carrying out these tests on the electric drive. They enable an efficient inspection of the vehicle in question with regard to the installation of the required components and their required function. Among other things, precisely defined test sequences are used to check whether the control devices of the components react as required, e.g. whether the algorithm for illuminating and extinguishing indicator lights runs as intended. For many vehicles, the tests are now carried out particularly efficiently with the support of an electronic diagnostic device specially developed for the main inspection, the HU adapter.
Since 2005, there have been new EU registration documents for newly registered vehicles. Watermarks, fluorescent fibres, microprinting and the symbol that is only visible with UV light are intended to make the papers forgery-proof.
The beautiful note: doubly forgery-proof
The new registration documents consist of
The main advantages of the new documents are greater protection against forgery and EU-wide legibility and standardisation of the data fields. However, for data protection reasons, only one previous owner and the current owner are listed by name in Part II.
This certificate contains all the technical vehicle data that must be available for the registration of a vehicle in Europe. However, only one standard approved wheel/tyre combination is specified.
The technical data has standardised alphanumeric codes throughout the EU. This means that a German certificate can be easily transferred to a corresponding registration certificate in other European countries.
If you immobilise your car temporarily or permanently, you no longer need to hand in the certificate. The immobilisation is entered directly in the certificate.
It contains the information that the holder of the registration certificate is not shown as the owner. For data protection reasons, only the current and the last vehicle owner are entered. All other previous owners are only counted. Only a small part of the technical vehicle data is entered.
Temporary vehicle decommissioning is no longer documented. As was once the case with the vehicle registration document, you should not keep the registration certificate part II in the vehicle. We recommend that you carefully keep vehicle invoices and purchase contracts as additional proof of ownership.
For you as the driver, most things will remain as they were: just as you once had to carry the vehicle registration certificate, you must now always carry the registration certificate part I with you and present it on request. However, the wheel/tyre combination specified in the vehicle registration certificate does not have to be fitted. You may drive all combinations approved in accordance with the vehicle type approval or EC type approval/type approval.
If you deregister your vehicle, keep both registration certificates so that you can present them again when re-registering in Germany or an EU member state.
Do you have questions about wheel/tyre combinations? Our experts at the TÜV STATIONS will be happy to help you.
You must also prove the permissibility of a wheel/tyre combination that deviates from the vehicle type approval or EC type approval by making an entry in the registration certificate part I (vehicle registration document), an attachment certificate based on a parts certificate or an ABE for the wheel/tyre combination.
