The ADAC took a close look at 580 current cars and found some major defects in material and workmanship. Even with expensive cars, the quality is sometimes no longer right because manufacturers have to save on almost every corner, says the automobile club. But there are exceptions.
ADAC: Car quality is getting worse
According to the ADAC, the The quality of materials and workmanship in cars has generally deteriorated. Few manufacturers would do better today than they did in previous research. As one of the most important reasons, the ADAC cites the “concentrated technology” that can even be found in inexpensive cars today. Manufacturers are therefore forced to save elsewhere in order to keep costs low.
Volkswagen Group cars do not fare well in the investigation. VW and its brands would be “on the decline” in terms of materials and workmanship. According to ADAC, the quality of earlier models was still above average. The model change from the Golf 7 to the Golf 8 is given as an example. VW simply “slacked off” here (source: ADAC).
Even with some significantly more expensive cars Mercedes and Audi the testers say they are disappointed. According to the ADAC, the current Audi A3 Sportback and the new Mercedes C-Class “no longer meet” the demand for a premium model.
The current one shows that the quality has not declined everywhere Renault Zoe. The ADAC confirms “the biggest leap” when it comes to material and processing quality.
The electric SUV Kia EV6 made it to car of the year:
ADAC: Cost pressure, especially for small cars
The ADAC certifies that many micro and small cars have poorer processing than before. At the Toyota Aygo, which was sold by April 2022, the high cost pressure is noticeable everywhere. But the successor Aygo X, which is 6,000 euros more expensive, also has almost identical weaknesses.
According to ADAC test engineer Alexander Werner, the quality is “often exposed to wave movements”. Only negative feedback from the press and customers would lead to manufacturers investing more money in materials and processing.