"Trust is Key"
Interview with Swen Niedecker, Managing Director of the Motor Vehicle Experts Office Dipl. Ing. Winfried Lütz GmbH
The biennial TÜV inspection is often met with mixed feelings, especially by drivers of older vehicles, as it is a reliable source of revenue for the organizations conducting the inspections, and for good reason. However, stricter emission standards, increasingly complex electronics, and the advent of e-mobility are increasing the effort involved. Swen Niedecker, Managing Director of the Motor Vehicle Experts Office Dipl. Ing. Winfried Lütz GmbH, provides insights into the challenges faced by a GTÜ testing center.
The company has been a certified GTÜ inspection center since 1990. Today, it offers state-recognized TÜV inspections as well as private-sector accident assessments at four locations in Bergisch Gladbach, Rösrath, Overath, and Waldbröl. In both cases, neutrality and reliability are paramount. "Trust is the alpha and omega," emphasizes Swen Niedecker. "The strict separation between the inspection organization and the repair shop ensures impartiality. Therefore, we must convince customers with our service."
Convincing Through Service
Quick processing is the key to the company's success. "When evaluating accident damage, it is important that these assessments are carried out promptly so that insurance claims and repairs can be processed and carried out as quickly as possible," explains Swen Niedecker. "We conduct assessments and main inspections at our own locations, but also in the workshop where the vehicle is located."
Stricter Regulations, Higher Effort
It is interesting to note that the safety or emission standards that were applicable at the time of a car's initial registration remain valid throughout the vehicle's life. "If a car was originally not equipped with seat belts or head restraints, their absence is still permissible under TÜV regulations," emphasizes Swen Niedecker. "However, it's different with modern cars. As an inspection agency, we need to keep up with the new regulations. The latest emission standards, for example, require counting exhaust particles. This means significant investments in new measuring devices for us."
The Future of Mobility
The overall mobility transition presents new challenges for the company. "We are curious to see how this will affect our business model," admits Swen Niedecker. "It's not just about e-mobility, but about mobility in general. The number of cars on the roads has skyrocketed, which is naturally good for us. But the question will be who owns these vehicles. The majority of new cars are leased. The question then is who decides where inspections and repairs are carried out. I can envision a future where dealers sell mobility as a package and not as an individual car. Customers will be able to switch between an everyday car and a van or convertible for vacation. This opens up completely new perspectives."