Cars, motorcycles and other vehicles must undergo regular general inspections (HU). You may not drive your vehicle on public roads without a valid MOT. This applies to motor vehicles that are subject to registration.

As the vehicle owner, you are responsible for registering your vehicle for the general inspection in good time. You will not be asked to do so by the authorities. You must also bear the costs yourself.

The main inspection (HU) checks whether your vehicle is still

• roadworthy,
• compliant with regulations and
• environmentally friendly

can be driven.

The general inspection is usually referred to colloquially as "TÜV" because in the past only the Technical Inspection Association (TÜV) was responsible. In the meantime, other organizations are also permitted to carry out the HU. In addition to the technical inspection bodies, these include so-called officially recognized monitoring organizations, for example

• the Deutscher Kraftfahrzeug-Überwachungs-Verein (DEKRA),
• the Society for Technical Inspection (GTÜ) or
• the Motor Vehicle Inspection Organization of Freelance Motor Vehicle Experts (KÜS).

However, you can also have your vehicle inspected by a garage. However, it is not the garages themselves that carry out the tests, but test engineers from the officially recognized monitoring organizations in the garages.

Since 2010, the exhaust emissions test (AU) has been part of the HU. The general "TÜV sticker" therefore replaces the hexagonal sticker on the front license plate. Approved garages can also carry out the AU before the HU, but no more than 2 months earlier.

These items must be included in the vehicle for an MOT:

• First aid kit (be sure to check expiration date),
• warning triangle,
• warning vest,
• charging cable,
• trailer coupling, if it is detachable, and
• all seats, if they are removable.

If you want to make sure that you don't have to have your car inspected due to minor defects, you should first check that the following car parts are working and undamaged:

• License plates (must be clearly visible and securely fastened),
• headlights, lights and reflectors,
• seat belts,
• Tire tread depth (at least 1.6 millimeters),
• windshield wipers/windshield washer system,
• interior and exterior mirrors,
• indicator lights in the vehicle,
• windshield,
• horn and
• exhaust.

Notes:

• The inspection report must be presented when registering or re-registering a vehicle.
• Bring the first-aid kit and the warning triangle to the main inspection.