06:45 24-11-2025

TÜV 2025 reliability report: Tesla stumbles as VW and Mercedes shine

See the TÜV 2025 reliability rankings: Tesla Model Y has most defects among 2–3‑year cars, while VW and Mazda excel; long‑term, Mercedes leads. Audi follows.

The latest TUV report for 2025, analyzed by SPEEDME.RU, delivers an unwelcome verdict for Tesla. The Model Y tops the unreliability list among 2–3‑year‑old cars, with 17.3% serious defects. Previously, the Model 3 spent two years as the worst performer, but it has now yielded that spot to its sibling. The main trouble areas are the suspension, braking system, and lighting—components that are critical to safety, which makes the result all the more telling.

Meanwhile, the broader German market is under strain too: nearly one in five cars fails the first inspection, and the share of major faults has risen by almost a percentage point. In the older age brackets, the BMW 5 and 6 Series, Dacia Duster, and Renault Clio are in the red zone.

There are clear leaders too. Among vehicles older than four years, Volkswagen dominates: the Golf Sportsvan, T‑Roc, and Touareg earned the best marks. Also rated as dependable are the Mazda CX‑3, Mercedes B‑Class, and Fiat 500e. In the up‑to‑three‑years category, standouts include the Mazda 2, BMW 1 Series, Mercedes C‑Class, and VW T‑Roc.

For the first time, TUV assessed long‑term quality—and Mercedes came out on top: among 10‑year‑old models, the defect rate is just 18.5%, comparable to the results shown by almost‑new Teslas. Audi and Toyota follow.

The takeaway is straightforward: electric technology can be reliable, but for now the balance tilts toward European and Japanese brands rather than Tesla.