Is it all about TÜV?

Legal tuning requires documentation that might be crucial for an enthusiast’s automotive future. If you are not able to provide the required documents, you might even completely lose registration of your vehicle – including insurance coverage. In addition, there are different rules for different tuning parts.

TÜV inspection facilities are obliged to comply with all national and international requirements, including norms, laws and other regulations. This means that official TÜV certificates are binding for their respective fields of application and consumers can be certain that e.g. TÜV-certified rims meet all legal requirements.

But is a TÜV check enough for me to go ahead and mount my dream rim on my car?

Basically, the answer to this question is YES. However, a TÜV certificate, for example in connection with rims, does not include an operating permit for public road traffic. For better understanding, we will give you a short overview based on German legislation:

Sometimes, all that is required are so-called Part Certificates (Teilegutachten), EC Type Approvals and General Operating Permits for vehicle parts. Other structural measures, however, require individual approval by an officially recognized inspection organisation, such as TÜV, DEKRA, and the like.

Part Certificate

A Part Certificate (Teilegutachten) includes special information and obligations for the proper and safe installation of an add-on part on a vehicle. These obligations also serve as a basis for TÜV inspectors. In addition to the exact vehicle type, a Part Certificate also includes an ID number of the respective add-on part. The same ID number has to be present on the add-on part, so that an inspector can verify that the installed part (e.g. rim) matches the certificate provided. Any other alterations and modifications required are also included in the Part Certificate. In the case of alloy rims, for example, there are explicit requirements regarding the extension of wings or other covers.

General Operating Permit

A General Operating Permit (Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis, ABE) is an official permit for the operation of a serially manufactured motor vehicle. A Vehicle Part ABE (Fahrzeugteile-ABE) is a permit for the use of alloy rims without further checks by inspection services. However, it may well be that you have chosen your dream rims with a design that is not permitted for your vehicle. Given the great variety of car manufacturers and types, it is advisable to take a look at the ABE before purchasing new rims.

For tyre and rim combinations that are not included in a vehicle’s operating permit, car manufacturers usually name approved alternatives. These require an inspection according to Section 19 (1) of the German Road Traffic Licencing Regulations (StVZO) and entry in the vehicle documentation before use. In case you do not have your ABE, you can track it via a cast-in KBA identification number and a call at the German Federal Office for Motor Vehicles (Kraftfahrtbundesamt, KBA). By request, the KBA office will send you the correct ABE at a charge via mail.

The installation of wheels that do not require any adaptations according to the ABE does not require any inspection according to Section 19 (2). However, a minimum requirement is that the chassis and brake system of the respective vehicle are in their original states.

Example Germany – never drive without ABE!

Mounting other rims than the original ones basically requires an ABE issued by the KBA. Newly purchased rims include a Vehicle Part ABE, which must always be carried along, otherwise you risk a fine. Any requirements in the ABE have to be met in all cases. Failure to comply may also lead to a fine and to a penalty point in the driving licence register. If you do not have an ABE, you drive without permit, which might lead to three penalty points and a considerable fine.

ECE – no permit required

ECE stands for “Economic Commission for Europe” and is represented by an upper-case E in a circle. A rim carrying this symbol guarantees that all required inspections and permits have been provided. For the driver of a car this means that these rims do not require any further tests or administrative procedures, e.g. a TÜV inspection. This does not only apply to Germany, but to all countries participating in the ECE procedure (e.g. Switzerland and Austria). An ECE alloy rim may be used without entry in the vehicle documentation. This is a major and important difference compared to Part Certificates and Vehicle Part ABEs.

Genuine know-how or rip-off

For most retail customers, the price is an essential criterion when buying alloy rims. However, we strongly advise you not to click on the Buy button to quickly, even though blatant advertisement guaranteeing the lowest price and presumed certificates might be quite tempting. Take your time and shop around, there is a wide variety of products on the market. It is very important to get a good overview of this sometimes complex topic. Basically: Not everything you like is legal. It is therefore advisable to collect information before buying your rim. Ignorance is no excuse and will not protect you from punishment.

Speaking of getting an overview. Which rim fits which car, what designs are available and does it meet all the legal requirements, these are questions that you can easily verify yourself. We provide you with a small, but very efficient helper – our 3D Rim Configurator. It allows to you quickly and easily configure your personal vehicle with your dream rims. 100 percent technically verified – guaranteed. And we also show you which dealer near you will not only give you professional advice, but also offers professional installation. Enough talking: Try for yourself and dive into legal tuning!

Rim Configurator for your car