What is the UVV inspection?

The UVV inspection (UVV — Unfallverhütungsvorschrift, the German Accident Prevention Regulations) is a statutory annual safety inspection for all vehicles that are used commercially. The legal basis is DGUV Regulation 70 (formerly BGV D29), issued by the German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV). Its purpose is to ensure that the vehicle poses no avoidable risks to employees or other road users.

The inspection covers around 100 safety-relevant points — from brakes, steering, lighting and tyres through bodywork, seat belts and load-securing equipment to vehicle-specific extras such as tail lifts, cranes, trailer couplings and lift platforms.

Which vehicles must undergo the UVV inspection?

The UVV obligation applies to any vehicle used for business purposes — regardless of whether it is owned outright or leased. Typical cases include:

  • Company cars and pool vehicles
  • Vans, Sprinters, panel vans and pick-ups
  • Trucks and tractor units
  • Trailers and semi-trailers (including unbraked trailers)
  • Workshop vans, service vehicles and mobile sales units
  • Specialised vehicles with lift platforms, loading cranes, skips or tippers
  • Rental cars, car-sharing and pool fleet vehicles

Important: The obligation applies even if you only operate a single company van. Non-compliance can lead to fines of up to €50,000, loss of insurance cover and personal managing-director liability per § 130 OWiG (German Administrative Offences Act).

What are the consequences of a missing UVV inspection?

A missed UVV inspection is not a minor matter. The consequences can be severe:

  • Fines under the rules of the relevant Trade Association (Berufsgenossenschaft) — typically €1,500 to €50,000 per breach
  • Loss of insurance cover if an accident occurs with an uninspected vehicle — the Trade Association will seek recourse from the business
  • Personal liability of the business owner or managing director per § 130 OWiG in the event of personal injury
  • Criminal consequences in cases of gross negligence resulting in injury
  • Recovery of insurance benefits already paid out

How the UVV inspection works

With us, the UVV inspection is quick and uncomplicated to organise:

  1. Booking — online, by WhatsApp or by phone. On request, we come to your business premises in Erlangen, Nuremberg, Fürth, Bamberg or the surrounding region.
  2. Pre-discussion and vehicle overview — we record the vehicle data, conditions of use and any special equipment.
  3. Practical inspection — approximately 30 to 60 minutes per vehicle. Visual inspection, functional test and documentation of every component.
  4. Inspection protocol — you receive a standards-compliant protocol with inspection sticker and a list of any defects.
  5. Defect report and re-inspection — for any defects identified, we record the deadline and severity and carry out a cost-efficient re-inspection once the defects have been rectified.

What does the UVV inspection cost?

Costs depend on the vehicle type and complexity. As a rough guide:

  • Cars and vans up to 3.5 t: from approx. €70 net per vehicle
  • Trucks, tractor units, special vehicles: from approx. €130 net
  • Trailers: from approx. €45 net
  • On-site appointments for three or more vehicles: travel flat rate on request

You receive a binding fixed-price quote in advance. Regular fleet clients benefit from attractive annual contracts with volume discounts.

Why book your UVV inspection with car appraiser Varadinov?

As a TÜV NORD Partner, certified car appraiser and master vehicle mechatronics technician, I bring exactly the qualifications the DGUV requires of UVV inspectors — technical depth, ongoing professional development and full independence. You benefit from:

Legal certainty

Inspection per current DGUV Regulation 70 standard, court-admissible documentation and two-year archiving of all protocols.

Fast appointments

On-site appointments directly at your workshop, depot or branch — minimal downtime for your operations.

Full fleet management

On request, we manage your entire fleet — from appointment coordination through reminder service to annual recurring inspection.

Complete documentation

Clear, digitally archived inspection protocols including defect tracking and automatic reminders for follow-up inspections.

Beware of business owner liability under § 130 OWiG

The legal duty to ensure a roadworthy fleet rests with the managing director or business owner. Under § 130 of the German Administrative Offences Act (OWiG), failure to take adequate organisational measures to prevent breaches of duty in the business is itself an administrative offence. In practice, this means: if an accident occurs because of a missed UVV inspection, the managing director can be held personally liable — far beyond the limited liability of a GmbH or UG. A documented, regular UVV inspection is therefore one of the most important pieces of evidence that you have fulfilled your duty of care as a business owner.

Service area

We carry out UVV inspections across the entire Nuremberg/Erlangen metropolitan region. On-site visits to your business in Erlangen, Nuremberg, Fürth, Bamberg, Forchheim, Bayreuth, Herzogenaurach, Schwabach, Ansbach and within a 100 km radius are standard. On request, we organise large fleet inspections nationwide.

Further services

Beyond UVV inspections, I also prepare independent accident reports after collisions, vehicle valuations for sale, purchase or inheritance, specialised classic car appraisals for H-plate registration, and engine damage reports with detailed root-cause analysis. You can also explore my locations in Erlangen, Nuremberg and Fürth, or find practical articles in the guide.