"This is not at all surprising," say experts in the field. This is because the exhaust emissions test (AU), which is usually carried out every two years as part of the general inspection, is increasingly becoming a fig leaf for the environmental conscience of a nation of drivers, as the specialist medium "kfz-betrieb" points out in its current issue. In 2008, German legislators introduced a more serious innovation for the general inspection: Vehicles that have been registered for the first time since January 1, 2006 no longer have to be measured. Since then, it is sufficient if the on-board diagnostics (OBD), the vehicle's own exhaust gas monitoring system, gives the "green light". An actual measurement of the pollutants at the tailpipe no longer takes place in these vehicles. But how reliable is the OBD measurement? Do workshops and test organizations reliably detect defects and manipulations in engines and exhaust systems with the current measurement technologies?
A reform of emissions testing with up-to-date measurement technology and limit values has so far failed due to political and automotive industry considerations. The current emissions scandal could trigger a development here. "The car manufacturers are lobbying hard - look at the emissions test. Hardly anything has been measured for years. The emissions scandal could finally change this," estimates Steffen Dominsky, editor of "kfz-betrieb".
In the current issue 31/32, the trade journal "kfz-betrieb" sheds light on the status quo of the AU in Germany and also highlights further developments and alternatives. You can order a single issue here.
A free review copy is available here: pressestelle@vogel.de.
"kfz-betrieb" is the most widely read trade magazine in the automotive industry and has been informing the automotive trade and service sector for over 100 years. "kfz-betrieb" is the official organ of the German automotive trade (ZDK), the professional interest group for around 38,000 car dealerships and workshops. News from the entire automotive industry is available at www.kfz-betrieb.de and in the daily newsletter. The parent company Vogel Business Media is Germany's largest trade media company with 100+ trade journals, 100+ web portals, 100+ business events as well as numerous mobile offerings and international activities. Its headquarters are in Würzburg. The company celebrates its 125th birthday in 2016.
