undefined | Better HN

0 pointsmschild1y ago0 comments

Adding another source: TÜV Report 2025 (in German) In Germany you have to get your car checked every 24 months for its road worthiness (think general doctor checkup but for your car). If it fails, you are not allowed to use it until it's fixed.

At the first general inspection after purchase 2-3 years out, 14.2% of all checked Tesla Model 3s had issues. Comparing that to other models that are on record in sufficient numbers, its a high rate of failure. VW ID.3, for example, had 5%.

https://www.adac.de/news/tuev-report-2025/

0 comments

seanmcdirmid1y ago

It seems that they fail the TUV for two reasons: bad suspensions and rusted brakes. The first one is on Tesla, but the second one has to do with regenerative braking vs real braking. You are supposed to slam your brakes one or two times a year so they don't get rusty, but a lot of users aren't following this and can go a long time without using their brakes because regen braking is so convenient.

kalleboo1y ago

PHEVs will run their gas engines after they have not been used in a while in order to keep the gas in them from going stale, it seems odd that the braking system on EVs doesn't do the same for the brakes

seanmcdirmid1y ago

It makes total sense: consumers don't like it when EVs automatically slam on the brakes to get rid of rust :).

Unfortunately, you can't generate enough friction to do this without the car moving, which is why it has to be done manually.

1 more reply

starbugs1y ago

> https://www.adac.de/news/tuev-report-2025/

This is about what cars made it through the German TÜV. Not about reliability.

wesselbindt1y ago

To me it seems like a perfectly sound proxy measure of reliability. Why do you believe otherwise?

dzhiurgis1y ago

It's not. It assesses road-worthiness (aka safety), not reliability.

That article is often quoted in sensationalist media to smear Tesla. Look for actual mileage data and they are one of the, if not THE most reliable vehicle.

starbugs1y ago

Have you ever brought a car through the German TÜV?

2 more replies

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 pointsmschild1y ago0 comments

https://www.adac.de/news/tuev-report-2025/

0 comments

seanmcdirmid1y ago

kalleboo1y ago

seanmcdirmid1y ago

It makes total sense: consumers don't like it when EVs automatically slam on the brakes to get rid of rust :).

Unfortunately, you can't generate enough friction to do this without the car moving, which is why it has to be done manually.

1 more reply

starbugs1y ago

> https://www.adac.de/news/tuev-report-2025/

This is about what cars made it through the German TÜV. Not about reliability.

wesselbindt1y ago

To me it seems like a perfectly sound proxy measure of reliability. Why do you believe otherwise?

dzhiurgis1y ago

It's not. It assesses road-worthiness (aka safety), not reliability.

That article is often quoted in sensationalist media to smear Tesla. Look for actual mileage data and they are one of the, if not THE most reliable vehicle.

starbugs1y ago

Have you ever brought a car through the German TÜV?

2 more replies

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse