TÜV shock for drivers: Every year?

On April 24, 2025, the European Commission published a proposal that packs a punch:
In future, all cars that are more than ten years old will have to undergo an MOT every year. And that will be really expensive!

We show you exactly what is planned, who is affected – and why there is already a lot of resistance.

What exactly is the EU Commission planning?

So far it’s easy:

• New cars only have to undergo a general inspection after three years.

• After that, an inspection every two years is sufficient.

The European Commission now wants to change this:
From a vehicle age of ten years, an annual MOT is to apply.

Without exception.
And for all cars and vans in the EU.

What does the new TÜV cost?

TÜV costs are already noticeable today:
Example Hesse (as of 2025):

• MOT for a normal car: 104.10 €.

But beware:
The inspection fee is not all.
Older cars in particular are often subject to expensive repairs.
And this is repeated every year!

Why does the EU want to introduce the annual MOT?

The European Commission cites two main reasons:

• More safety on the roads:
  According to the EU, older vehicles should be more prone to breakdowns and cause more accidents. The goal is the so-called “Vision Zero”: Zero road deaths and zero serious injuries by 2050.

• More environmental protection:
  In addition, a new emissions test is to be introduced for every general inspection.
  Cars with excessively high emission values are to be forced to be taken out of service.

The EU Commission estimates that these measures could save up to 7,000 lives and prevent 65,000 serious injuries .

Criticism: Burden without real benefit?

As soon as the plan was published, there was massive criticism – including from:

• ADAC:
  “The annual MOT is superfluous and only burdens consumers!”

• Accident research experts:
  “Technical defects are rarely the cause of accidents – the additional MOT hardly increases safety.”

Points of criticism:

• The scope of the previous HU has already been massively expanded in recent years.
• Older cars are often well looked after – but everyone is lumped together.

The losers would be once again:

• People who drive their car sustainably for a long time

• Infrequent driver with low mileage

• Anyone who has their vehicle serviced regularly

And who benefits?
Primarily the testing institutes such as TÜV and Dekra, which would receive significantly more orders.

When could the rule apply?

The proposal is fresh – from April 24, 2025.
Now the paper still has to:

• by the EU Parliament,

• by the member states,

• and approved by the new federal government.

Will Germany follow suit?
Many still remember: during the election campaign, it was said that we would “not go along with every nonsense from Brussels”.
It remains to be seen whether this promise will be kept.

What’s more, earlier EU projects such as the mandatory health check for older drivers and the obligation to obtain a digital driver’s license were ultimately defused following massive resistance.

Our conclusion:

The planned annual MOT would affect millions of drivers – directly in their wallets.
Particularly unfair: even those who think sustainably and maintain their cars properly will be penalized.

Find out more about the TÜV plan in the new YouTube video!

Get all the legal documents you need for your car!