The current safety status of regional and line buses across Germany has seen a noticeable deterioration. According to the TÜV Association, in 2024 and 2025, nearly one in five inspected buses (19.2 percent) failed the main technical inspection due to defects deemed “significant” or “dangerous”. This represents a substantial increase of 5.1 percentage points compared to the 2024 Bus Report. Furthermore, another 11.0 percent of buses were cited for “minor defects” marking an increase of 0.5 points.
Analysis reveals specific age-related issues across the fleet. Paradoxically, even newer vehicles are showing poor performance; one in ten buses was flagged just one year after being newly registered. Generally, the defect rates increase as vehicles age. For instance, 21 percent of buses five years old were flagged for significant or dangerous defects, while the rate rose to 24.1 percent for buses fifteen years old.
Contextually, Germany’s bus fleet is expanding, reaching a record high of approximately 87,500 vehicles as of January 1, 2026, with an average vehicle age of 8.3 years. While local public transport utilizing buses regained pre-COVID levels in 2025, long-distance passenger transport continues to lag behind that historical standard.
Common technical failings cited include oil loss, lighting defects, and faulty brakes-problems that can play a role in accidents. Richard Goebelt of the TÜV Association emphasized that bus companies urgently need to increase their investment in the maintenance and upkeep of their vehicles. He added that the advanced nature of modern bus systems requires updated inspection procedures to reliably identify safety-critical malfunctions and potential manipulations.