Reliability 2025: Tesla Model Y Falls to Last Place, According to Germany’s TÜV Report

The TÃV 2025 report from Germany has passed judgment on vehicle reliability, placing the Tesla Model Y at the bottom, while brands like Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen dominate the lists.

It is not the first time Tesla has been accused of cutting corners on quality and reliability. However, this news may cause quite a stir. The Model Y is among the best-selling cars, but it is also one of the most problematic, according to TÃV Germany. This organization is an authority in vehicle inspections and evaluations.

Suspension and Brakes, the Most Critical Points

The German organization analyzed numerous cars between two and three years old. The Model Y received the lowest score in its history. This electric SUV, produced at the Berlin Gigafactory, presents a serious defect rate of 17.3%. The inspections covered mechanics, the electrical and lighting systems, and emissions. The most critical points were found in the brakes, the suspensions, and the lighting system.

Trends in the Quality of the German Vehicle Fleet

The Model Y even surpassed the Model 3 in the low-reliability ranking. The Model 3 had previously set a record with a defect rate of 13.1%. The TÃV 2025 Report compiled its statistics after analyzing nearly 9.5 million inspections. These checks were carried out between July 2024 and June 2025. This study reveals that the percentage of serious defects has increased by almost one percentage point. This indicates a worsening general outlook for vehicle quality in Germany.

Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen Dominate the Classification

In contrast to Tesla, some European automobiles dominated the reliability classifications. This was noticeable in the Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen brands. The Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan, T-Roc, and Touareg achieved the highest scores. These vehicles stand out in the age range of four years and older. Among vehicles two to three years old, the Mazda2, BMW 1 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class excelled. Furthermore, the T-Roc stood out again in this segment. The Fiat 500e dominated the small electric car category. Meanwhile, the B-Class took the award as the most reliable pre-owned minivan.

Recognition for Long-Term Quality

For the first time, TÃV has presented an award for long-term quality. This award is given to cars with 10 years of life. Mercedes-Benz took the long-term quality award. Their models showed a defect rate of barely 18.5%. This data is comparable to that of almost-new Teslas. Audi achieved second place in this long-term quality ranking. Toyota was positioned in third place.