5 myths about the PTI
There are myths not only in children’s books, but also in the automotive industry. These everyday wisdoms are not only persistent, they are also often wrong. Especially when it comes to the periodic technical inspection and how best to get the coveted badge, there are some untruths going around.
In this blog article, we dispel these myths about the periodic technical inspection and provide you with the right information – so that you can actually pass the periodic technical inspection successfully.
- What is the periodic technical inspection?
- Myth 1: Passing the periodic technical inspection guarantees you two years of carefree driving.
- Myth 2: You only need to bring your vehicle to the appointment.
- Myth 3: The deadline can easily be exceeded.
- Myth 4: The deadline for the re-examination can easily be extended.
- Myth 5: Car insurance always pays out.
- Conclusion: PTI myths
What is the periodic technical inspection?
Anyone who drives a car is familiar with the periodic technical inspection. There are now a large number of state-approved testing organizations that offer the PTI. These include DEKRA, GTÜ and KÜS.
During the periodic technical inspection, the vehicle is put through its paces to ensure that it meets the environmental and safety standards set by the government.
There are different deadlines and inspection cycles depending on the vehicle class. You can find more detailed information in our guide “Overdue PTI: Costs & deadlines for cars, motorcycles & co.“.
Myth 1: Passing the periodic technical inspection guarantees you two years of carefree driving.
Imagine that HolDeinePlakette calls you and gives you the good news that your car has successfully passed the periodic technical inspection. Thanks to the practical pick-up and drop-off service, the HolDeinePlakette team will return your vehicle to you within the next hour.
What a great feeling. The fresh badge now certifies that you can get back on the gas for the next 2 years without any worries. Or not?
Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple. Despite passing the test, the periodic technical inspection is “only” a snapshot of the current condition of your car. It makes no statements about the service life of some wearing parts, such as the brakes.
As your car is an object of daily use, it goes without saying that one part or another can break from time to time.
So if something and rattles, please don’t ignore it, but have regular safety checks carried out on your vehicle even if you have a badge.
If you have your vehicle regularly checked for roadworthiness, you can arrive at your next periodic technical inspection appointment a lot more relaxed. Because you already know that your vehicle is well maintained and safe.
Myth 2: You only need to bring your vehicle to the appointment.
Of course, your vehicle is in the spotlight during the inspection. However, it is a myth that you don’t need to have anything else in your luggage apart from your car.
To ensure that your inspection body can carry out the PTI on your vehicle without any problems, the following documents must not be missing under any circumstances:
- The registration certificate part 1 (formerly also called vehicle registration document)
- If the vehicle is not registered: the registration certificate part 2
- Subsequent modifications (e.g. tuning) made to the vehicle must be documented. Be sure to bring the necessary documents with you.
Myth 3: The deadline can easily be exceeded.
Unfortunately, it is all too common for many drivers to regard the deadline for their next periodic technical inspection as a guideline or recommendation. The fact that the time limit, which you can also read on the badge, may not be exceeded can be found in § 29 StVZO.
Of course, it can happen that you forget an appointment. However, from the 3rd month onwards, you may be subject to a fine and possibly 1 point in Flensburg.
In addition to the possible fine, the periodic technical inspection also becomes more expensive from the third month of delay. If the deadline is missed, the inspection organizations are obliged to carry out a so-called “extended PTI”. The additional expense incurred for the extended PTI leads to (currently) 20% additional costs.
You can find the answer to the question of how expensive an overdue PTI deadline can be in our guide “Overdue PTI“.
Myth 4: The deadline for the re-examination can easily be extended.
It has happened – your car has failed the requirements of the road safety test. Your engineering hub will inform you that the defects found must be rectified and that you must come for a follow-up inspection. The defects must be rectified immediately, but at the latest within one month (to the day).
Strictly speaking, according to the law, you are not allowed to put the vehicle into operation if defects have been detected. Excluded from this are journeys to repair the defects and the re-presentation of your vehicle at the engineering hub.
Unfortunately, this date falls exactly at a time when your diary is already overflowing. Is it easy to extend the deadline for the follow-up examination?
No.
However, if you exceed this deadline, the periodic technical inspection will have to be carried out all over again. In other words, you will pay the cost of the PTI again.
The inspection itself is only associated with very low fees ( €17 for us).
If you are driving a vehicle that is not roadworthy and are stopped by the police, you could also face fines.
So – it is best to always meet the deadline for the follow-up examination. This will save you a lot of money and protect you and other road users.
Myth 5: Car insurance always pays out.
How does it actually work if you are responsible for a traffic accident and were driving with an expired badge at the same time? Will your car insurance pay the claims of the other party involved in the accident?
Basically, your car insurance covers you against the worst things on the road. This also applies to claims from other road users.
However, if you cause an accident due to technical defects, such as insufficient tread depth of the tires, which would have been discovered if the periodic technical inspection had been carried out on time, the situation does no longer looks so good for you.
The insurance company then has the option of refusing to cover the costs or only making part of the payments. This is because your behavior could be considered negligent in legal terms.
Conclusion: PTI myths
As you can see, it is worth taking a closer look at some of the myths surrounding the periodic technical inspection and finding out more. In the worst case scenario, you can avoid fines, points in Flensburg and loss of insurance cover.
You will also notice that it is always advisable to have your vehicle checked on time. Overdue deadlines should be made up as quickly as possible.
If you are looking for more advice on how to get through the periodic technical inspection without any problems, then be sure to take a look at our blog.
And if you have any questions about other PTI myths that we haven’t discussed in the article above, please contact us by phone or email. Or make an appointment right away and let us answer your questions directly in our workshop.
We are always happy to help you so that you can get your coveted badge quickly and easily.