Tesla's Triumph Turns to Tribulation 📉
Witness the drama of a premature stumble!
In the annals of TÜV Report 2024, a staggering 10,225,866 primary inspections (HU) were put under the microscope. Notably, the significant failure rate, representing the percentage of 100 cars of this model that flunk the general examination.
Buckle up, folks! In the shipment of 2- to 3-year-old used vehicles - these being the first time they're subjected to a compulsory examination - the Tesla Model 3 topped the list of dismay, falling dead last among 111 car models.
One in seven Tesla Model 3s (14.7%) failed the TÜV! The second to last autobahn owner (Dacia Logan) trailed by a mere 11.4%, while the medium for this age group basks in the sun at a modest 5.7%.
The Axe's Bitter Bite: Suspension and Braking
What's gnawing at the reputation of the favored US electric car? The Model 3's Achilles' heel appears to be issues with the suspension systems and braking discs. The electric marvel falters a mind-boggling 14 times more than the average of all surveyed vehicles in this age category, when it comes to the suspension systems.
However, the identified weak spots are more commonly found in electric cars than in their fuel counterparts. The robust battery equipment of EVs exacts its toll on the suspension systems. The infrequent use of brakes can lead to a significant reduction in the friction coefficient of the brake pads, while rust often plagues the brake discs over time.
Renault Zoe's Rally and VW e-Golf's Winning Stride
Two other electric cars in the youthful review of 2- to 3-year-olds prove that not all is lost for the eco-friendly movement:
The Renault Zoe stealthily secured a seat in the upper midfield (44 out of 111, boasting a failure rate of 5.1% belittling the average) despite also succumbing to airless tires.
Stunningly, the VW e-Golf sprinted ahead, landing in fourth place among 2- to 3-year-olds with a failure rate of a stupefying low 2.6%, making the VW Golf Sportsvan the champion of the age group, with a mere 2 out of 100 TÜV test subjects flunking.
The Missing Links: Where's Electricville?
And where might we expect the other electric cars to appear? The TÜV report focuses only on cars with adequate distribution to avoid skewing statistics, requiring a sufficient number of HU results for inclusion in the report. Regrettably, this criterion has not yet been met for other electric models. Further, privately-owned cars need undergo regular inspection only after their third anniversary, so future models will find their place in the coming years.
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- The latest AUTO BILD TÜV Report unveiled the disappointing performance of the Tesla Model 3 in its mandated first-time inspection, registering a failure rate of 14.7%.
- On the flip side, the VW e-Golf outperformed its electric peers once more, notching a low failure rate of 2.6%, highlighting the potential of electric cars in mandatory inspections.
- The AUTO BILD TÜV Report pinpointed two main issues causing the Tesla Model 3's failure: oversized batteries leading to premature suspension system wear and irregular braking usage, eventually leading to wore-out braking components.
Enrichment Data:
The common pitfalls hindering electric vehicles in mandatory inspections, as highlighted in the AUTO BILD TÜV Report, include:
- Brake System Defects: The TÜV Report points to the high failure rates in Tesla Model 3s, attributing them partially to issues in the braking system. The regenerative braking technology, which conserves brake wear by utilizing the electric motor's resistance to slow the car, may lead to rusted brakes from infrequent use. This results in recurring defects in the brake pads and discs, compromising the braking performance and eventually causing inspection failures.
- Light System Defects: The survey also flagged problems with headlight calibration and other lighting systems. These issues can pose safety concerns and contribute to the overall inspection failure rate.
- Wheel and Axle Issues: The TÜV Report mentions that the battery's substantial weight can cause the axles to deteriorate prematurely, leading to inspection failures.
- Steering System Defects: The Report notes that problems with steering components are another common cause, adding to the high failure rates in Tesla Model 3 inspections.
These persistent systemic issues, particularly regarding the braking and lighting systems, are highlighted as major concerns in the TÜV Report and other inspection failure reports, emphasizing the need for more proactive maintenance and a potentially more stringent service policy from Tesla.
