Always picking on the little ones

Now this is a figure that is really quite remarkable – in a negative sense: According to Germany’s “Commercial Vehicles 2023” TÜV report, around 30% of commercial vehicles that are at least five years old have defects at the general inspection – regardless of their tonnage.

The report, which was published at the end of September last year, shows that the situation is particularly bad for vans, which make up the largest proportion of commercial vehicles in terms of numbers. According to Dr. Joachim Bühler, Managing Director of the German TÜV Association (TÜV-Verband e. V.), this is partly due to the heavy use and sometimes rather harsh handling of these vehicles in daily delivery traffic. Added to this are poor care and inadequate maintenance.

The most frequently reported defects include reversing lights, dipped headlights, indicators and hazard warning lights. And as faulty lights endanger all road users, defects in the lighting system are categorised as ‘significant defects’. But it doesn't have to come to this. “Failing the roadworthiness test because of defective lighting systems is avoidable. By walking around your own vehicle, such defects can be noticed quickly and rectified quite easily,” summarises Richard Göbelt, another managing member of the TÜV association.

That’s why it’s best to always remain alert and act immediately. At AIC, we have numerous great value, high-quality lights – and now also mirrors – from OLSA in our portfolio. So, if your customers have perhaps ‘snagged’ something on their van when quickly parking or pulling out of a parking space or driveway, just take a look at the spare parts catalogue on our website.