TÃœV Report 2011: Triumph for future technology

I posted this on the Gen 2 main forum, but I think it interests all Gen 3 owners as well.
TÃœV Report 2011: Triumph for future technology (Prius receives Gold Badge)

I don't think any Prius 2010 has gone through the TÃœV checks so far, they are too new.

 

Well friendly_jacek - it depends on how you look at it.
In Germany burned bulbs are a big safety issue and police can stop you and fine you, including maybe giving you points (I am not sure about it) on your license.

If you show up at a TÃœV revision and have a light bulb not working, they will send you "home" and you are not able to drive the car anywhere else other than to a mechanic to fix it. It is considered of high importance. In this respect it is not flawed at all. Also, lights get checked by dealers/mechanics at the beginning of winter when you put on winter tires (you get fined if you are caught without them, though not compulsory, yet, as in Austria) to make sure they work correctly and are properly aligned since a lot of importance is given to "being seen" in the snow and winter weather.
But I understand your comment and point of view - light bulbs might sound as a "not so relevant" issue.

Moreover, my previous car, a Polo, had the forward right bulb replaced twice within 2 years time - bad design that generated voltage spikes when turning on the car with the lights on - I had to turn it on (and off!) with the lights turned off - otherwise I had to change it very often. Each change, not really possible by myself, since the back of the lamp was simply designed by an idiot who wanted you to give money to a mechanic (preferably of VW ), would cost about 50€ (parts and labour)....