Germany’s car-check watchdog has crunched the reliability numbers and once again, Tesla finds itself parked at the very bottom of the heap. The 2026 TÜV-Report, covering annual roadworthiness inspections of approximately 9.5 million vehicles between July 2024 and June 2025, found that Tesla EVs occupied the two bottom spots in the league table.

The Model 3, which was the worst-ranked car for the two previous years was found to have a defect rate of 13.1 percent, meaning one in every 7.6 cars in the two-to-three-year-old ages group failed the Hauptuntersuchung safety check.

Why Is The Model Y So Troubled?

But the Model Y was even worse. It had a defect rate of 17.3 percent, versus 3.5 percent for a Mini Cooper SE, making it the worst TÜV has seen in this age group in a decade. The biggest defect culprits were the axle assembly, suspension, brakes and lighting.

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Pulling back to look at the bigger picture covering cars of all ages reveals that 21.5 percent, or one in five cars failed the inspection due to a “significant” or “dangerous” defect, an increase of 0.9 percent on last year, ADAC reported. And the proportion with minor defects rose 0.8 percent to 12.3 percent.

Other reliability villains include the BMW 5-series and 6-series in both the 4-5-year-old and 8-9-year-old age groups, the Dacia Duster in the 6-7 and 10-11 age groups and the Renault Clio among 12-13-year-old cars.

Electric Cars Defect Rate, 2-3 Years Old

Pop the Champagne for VW

But with every list of losers there has to be a list of winners, and for cars that have passed their fourth birthday, this one is headed by Volkswagen.

The VW Golf wagon and T-Roc scored well in the 4-7-year-old categories and the automaker’s Touareg was top of the oldies. The Mazda CX-3 and Mercedes B-Class were also commended.

Looking at the 2-3-year-old group, Fiat’s 500e toped the small car category, proving to Tesla that EVs can be reliable, the Mazda 2 and BMW 1-series were the top-rated small car and compact, and the C-class took the mid-range award (if you’re reading from the US, those classifications will look kinda messed up).

The T-Roc popped up again to take best SUV, and the B-class bagged most reliable nearly-new minivan.

Rate of Serious Inspection Defects

One big change in this year’s study is the introduction of an award for long-term quality, handed out to brands whose vehicles, aged 10+ exhibit the lowest average defect rate for safety-related faults and stand for quality, durability, and good service.

Mercedes took gold with an 18.5 percent defect rate – almost matching that of a 2-3-year-old Model Y – Audi was second with 19.2 percent and Toyota snuck onto the podium’s last step with a 22 percent defect rate.

Winners By Segment, 2-3 Years Old

Winners In Other Age Groups

A new chapter in Fiat’s Panda lineup is beginning to take shape, with fresh variants now undergoing tests on European roads. Among them is a budget-friendly fastback crossover that aims to combine everyday practicality with a more distinctive silhouette, set to be offered with gasoline, mild-hybrid, and fully electric powertrains.

The fastback first appeared in concept form in early 2024, shown alongside a hatchback that evolved into the Grande Panda, plus an SUV, pickup, and camper study. The prototype caught in camouflage testing looks toned down compared to the concept, trading some of its flair for more traditional proportions and a simplified glasshouse.

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Up front, the resemblance to the Grande Panda is clear, with boxy LED headlights featuring pixel-style graphics, a closed-off grille, and a single intake low on the bumper. From the side, the longer wheelbase and large-diameter alloys give it a stretched stance. The shape of the windows hints strongly at Citroen design influences, something that makes sense once you look at its family connections.

At the rear, heavy camouflage hides much of the fastback curve, but you can still spot slim taillight elements mounted high and the license plate positioned on the bumper. A discreet exhaust tip tucked beneath the car suggests this particular prototype is running a combustion engine.

The original concept (above) compared to the production version (below).

SH Proshots

An Italian With A French Sibling

Despite its silhouette, the car isn’t related to the the Fiat Fastback that is available in South America since 2022. Instead, it shares DNA with another Stellantis product, the Citroen Basalt, which launched in 2024 for markets including India, Brazil, Argentina, and Indonesia. That model is mechanically linked to the C3 hatchback and C3 Aircross SUV, though it wears a more coupe-like shape.

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Fiat’s newcomer will sit on Stellantis’ Smart Car platform, the same underpinnings found in the Grande Panda, the European-market Citroen C3 and C3 Aircross, and the Opel Frontera.

Engine choices are expected to include the 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder in both standard petrol and mild-hybrid configurations, alongside a full EV variant. While the default setup is front-wheel drive, there’s a chance an all-wheel-drive version could follow, echoing the planned Grande Panda 4×4.

Fiat has confirmed that the full Panda family will roll out by 2027, with the fastback likely to be the first of the new additions to reach showrooms. An official unveiling is expected within the next few months.

At a time when prices of new cars keep climbing out of reach for many households, Italy has launched a surprisingly generous scrappage scheme that makes some EVs almost absurdly affordable. Under the program, low-income buyers who trade in a car registered before 2015 could drive home in a brand-new Dacia Spring for as little as €3,900 (about $4,600 at current exchange rates).

The €597 million ($700 million) initiative is designed to increase electric car sales to at least 39,000 units by June 2026. Right now, fully electric vehicles represent only 5.2% of Italy’s market, far behind the European Union average of 15.8%.

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To qualify for the full €11,000 ($12,900) discount, prospective EV buyers must scrap a Euro 5 (or earlier) vehicle, live in an urban area with more than 50,000 residents, and have a family income below €30,000 ($35,200). Households earning up to €40,000 ($46,900) can still access a reduced €9,000 ($10,600) bonus. Small companies also benefit, with subsidies covering 30% of an EV’s cost capped at €20,000 ($23,500) per new vehicle.

Pocket-Sized Prices

Dacia has trimmed the Italian starting price of the Spring EV from €17,900 ($21,000) to €14,900 ($17,500). With the full scrappage bonus applied, the figure falls to the headline-grabbing €3,900 ($4,600). That entry point is for the Essential Electric 45 trim, equipped with a 44 hp (33 kW / 45 PS) motor and a 26.8 kWh battery, good for a range of 225 km (140 miles).

Stellantis has also dropped the cost of the Leapmotor T03 from €18,900 ($22,200) to €15,900 ($18,700), meaning it can be purchased for €4,900 ($5,800) under the same scheme. As reported by Autonews, the Chinese brand claims that the heavily discounted price is “less than what you paid for your bicycle.”

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Electric vehicles from other automakers are also eligible under the same scheme. Fiat offers the 500e from €9,950 ($11,700) and the electric version of the Grande Panda from €11,950 ($14,000). The closely-related Citroen e-C3 starts at €12,900 ($15,100), while the spacious e-C3 Aircross SUV is now offered from a discounted €15,790 ($18,500).

These prices are undeniably attractive, but the strict eligibility requirements mean the incentives only reach a narrow slice of the population. For now, the question is whether the subsidy will genuinely reshape Italy’s car market or simply deliver a short-term boost among those who qualify.

Citroen