Tesla, more like Dacia than you think: the conclusions of the experts, worrying

In 2022, the TÜV Report, for the first time, looks more closely at four popular electric vehicles.

Popular electric models in Germany, BMW i3, Renault Zoe, Smart ForTwo Electric Drive (now EQ ForTwo) and Tesla Model S, were analyzed.

A first detailed comparison of the results of the technical inspections TÜV or the Technical Inspection Association shows that the electric cars operated on average only after three years of operation. The most common defects were the brakes, lights, arms and axle suspension.

“For the first time, a sufficient number of electric cars have been submitted to TÜV testing centers to be able to make a preliminary assessment of the technical safety of the vehicles,” says Dr. Joachim Bühler, General Manager of the TÜV Association.

In the recently published TÜV 2022 Report, which is based on statistics from technical inspections of millions of cars on German roads, a total of 128 models can be found in the two- to three-year-old car rankings.

Tesla, a disappointment

The four electric cars mentioned are not included in this ranking because they have not yet been sold in significant numbers in Germany. The share of cars with “significant defects” among vehicles between two and three years old is 4.7%. This means: 47 out of 1000 cars fail the first inspection and need to be re-inspected.

The worst performer compared to the four electric cars was the Tesla Model S. And here the problem of headlights plays a role, but also arm defects, leading to a huge failure rate of 10.7 percent! This means that about one in ten Tesla fails the first inspection. This result places them at the bottom of the standings and the third position at the end. Only Dacia Duster and Dacia Logan are worse.

The Tesla Model S had two European seat and seat belts withdrawals, while other Tesla models were recalled for problems with the front suspension control arm and brake calipers. In Germany, older S and X models have also been recalled for central touch screen issues.