The TÜV generally means the main inspection to be carried out every two years ( HU) as well as the emissions test (AU). Other deadlines may also apply to vehicles used commercially or for rent. It should be mentioned that the HU+AU does not necessarily have to be carried out by the TÜV these days, but that other organizations such as the GTÜ are also allowed to offer it. If your TÜV is exceeded, it is best to have your car checked immediately for its environmental compatibility and road safety in order not to risk a fine.
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Driving without a valid TÜV
In general, you may no longer use your vehicle on public roads if its TÜV has expired. At the same time, this means that you have to expect a corresponding penalty for this administrative offense if you drive without a TÜV. Depending on the type of vehicle, the vehicle owner and/or driver is usually penalized for overdrafts of two months or more. The penalty if your MOT has expired for more than two months is currently around 15 euros. However, you must also reckon with a point in Flensburg if you exceed the deadline by more than eight months.
If you have overlooked the HU/AU date, you will ask yourself whether you are even allowed to drive your vehicle for a technical inspection without a valid TÜV. In this case, too, it depends on when you should have had the HU carried out. In an interval of two months this is usually possible without any problems. If you are overstaying for a longer period of time, you may need to consider having your vehicle towed to the HU to comply with the law.
As with other traffic violations, novice drivers can face significantly greater consequences. Exceeding the TÜV during the probationary period is still not a problem if the fine is less than 40 euros. According to the current status, this is still the case if your TÜV has expired less than eight months. If you drive a commercial vehicle and a safety check is required for it, the fine is already 60 euros if you exceed the limit by four months. As a result, novice drivers must expect their own probationary period to be extended or even attend a so-called advanced seminar.
In general, it is best to have the main inspection, including the emissions test, carried out in the month specified on the sticker. In this way you not only avoid fines, but also a possibly prescribed supplementary examination. This must always be carried out if you exceed the actual deadline by more than two months. This extended main inspection is also associated with higher costs.
What happens when the TÜV has expired?
If your deadline for the TÜV is more than a month, you should not worry too much at first. In the case of a police check, you will generally only be made aware of the expired TÜV and the corresponding period. Nevertheless, it is advisable not to put off this possibly unpleasant appointment. After a change in the law, a main inspection that has been carried out is now always valid for 24 months from the time it was carried out.
The fines start at 15 euros for a TÜV that has expired two to four months. On the other hand, if the limit is exceeded by four to eight months, a warning fee of 25 euros will be due. If the TÜV has been exceeded for a longer period of time, you have to pay 60 eurosYou pay a fine and are reprimanded with a point in the Flensburg traffic offender file.
If you drive without a valid MOT, the warning fines (up to 40 euros) or fines (from 40 euros) whenever you come to a traffic checkpoint. On the other hand, you don't have to worry once you have reached the premises of the testing organization. Because neither Dekra, TÜV, GTÜ nor KOS demand these warnings/fines if they are exceeded.
What does the TÜV cost more if the deadline is exceeded?
As already written, the companies that carry out the main inspection do not demand any fines. Accordingly, your HU+AU will not be more expensive if you have taken too much time with it. However, this only applies as long as the excess is no more than two months. In all other cases, an extended main inspection, officially „supplementary inspection“ called, prescribed. Since this is significantly more complex, it is often about a fifth more expensive than the classic HU.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
⚠ Is a TÜV carried out in The United Kingdom also valid in Scotland?
This question cannot be answered universally and you should always clarify this with the Scotlandn authorities. In general, the HU/AU should be valid for at least another year to make registration in Scotland possible. In addition, there may be restrictions if the month of the HU/AU does not match the month of the first registration. Then a new §57a check in Scotland is essential.
⚠ Can you drive abroad without a valid TÜV?
Foreign authorities are not authorized to punish you if you travel abroad without a valid HU/AU. However, this does not mean that all EU countries comply. A legally valid exception is given, for example, if your car actually has deficiencies in the area of road safety.
⚠ Can one Driving a car without a TÜV with a temporary license plate?
Yes, but the permitted journeys are severely restricted. Only the following scenarios are covered: the journey to your responsible registration office and home, the journeys to carry out the main inspection and, to a limited extent, the journey to the nearest workshop. All other journeys may not be carried out – there is a risk of a fine for an administrative offence. If an accident occurs, it can even be a criminal offence.
⚠ Can you still sell a car without a TÜV?
Of course, you can still sell your vehicle after the TÜV has expired. However, you usually have to reckon with a significantly lower selling price, since the buyer then often buys the proverbial “pig in a poke”. We also expressly advise you to include a passage in the purchase contract which expressly states that the vehicle is not roadworthy within the meaning of the road traffic regulations. To avoid ambiguity, the exact time of handover should also be documented and acknowledged by both contracting parties.
⚠ What happens to the insurance cover , if your MOT has expired?
In general, your liability insurance pays the damage to the other party if you cause an accident. However, if it turns out that your car had defects that would have been complained about at the HU, you are most likely liable for recourse. This means that the insurance company will collect the damage amount from you.
Conclusion
Should you notice that the deadline for your TÜV has expired, you should arrange a HU/AU appointment as soon as possible. Even if the penalties for a short-term violation are comparatively low, you will quickly find yourself in trouble. This applies in particular if an accident should occur and your liability insurance takes recourse. Exceeding the TÜV regulations for a longer period of time can also have unpleasant consequences for novice drivers.
A tip from CarTipsandmore: Compare the prices for the main inspection or exhaust gas inspection (these have always been carried out together since 2010) from different companies providers. These can differ significantly from one another depending on the region. In addition to TÜV, examples of approved providers include GTÜ, KÜS and DEKRA.
