The ADAC has assessed the quality of materials and workmanship of almost 600 different vehicle models. The result was an exciting overview. It sheds a poor light on German manufacturers in particular. This blog outlines who performed well and who scored poorly.
The ADAC test engineers took a closer look at 580 vehicle models in total and compared them with one another. But the question of how the current models have performed compared to their predecessors is almost even more exciting. There appears to be a trend among German manufacturers in particular - and there is a clear decline.
A few notes in advance on the test and assessment procedure: The ADAC Autotest assesses the quality of materials and processing based on 34 criteria. For the workmanship of the body, these are the gap dimensions, missing door frame panelling, rattling doors when the windows are open and scratch-sensitive plastics. "But the quality of materials and processing in the interior, such as creaking plastic parts, unpanelled sheet metal parts, uncoated plastic parts, uncoated plastics on dashboard, door panels or roof pillars with no material covering are also evaluated."
German manufacturers are losing ground
One trend has been clear for a long time: As cars can do more and more and have more driver assistance systems and comfort features on board, they are becoming increasingly expensive. So car manufacturers have to save elsewhere. According to the ADAC, it is often the quality of materials and workmanship that suffers.
And this appears to be affecting the premium segment in particular. Although the expensive premium models usually have high-quality workmanship and equally high-end materials in the interior, there are exceptions. "One example that showed signs of decline was the Audi A3 Sportback, for example, which has "bare sheet metal under the luggage compartment floor," as the automobile club noted. In the previous model, the spare wheel recess was covered with carpet. The VW Golf 8 is also going downhill compared to the previous generation. For example, the gas pressure spring for the bonnet has been replaced with a cheaper supporting rod.
The ADAC is particularly hard on the Volkswagen Group in general: "The majority of new models from the VW Group have significantly poorer workmanship and material quality than those of the previous generations and are now even below the average class on some vehicles".
ADAC criticises price increases with simultaneous savings
And even worse: As the ADAC emphasises, the savings were also accompanied by massive price increases. In some cases, the prices of the Group's vehicles increased by several thousand euros in recent months.
The C-Class from Mercedes-Benz had the biggest increase, however: The materials used in the interior are only soft in the upper area, while hard and therefore scratch-sensitive plastic is used below the visible area. BMW, on the other hand, is the saviour of the Premium Class segment. The current 3 series from Munich is one of the climbers, as the testers emphasize.
New editions from importers are also upping their game: Skoda Fabia, Toyota Yaris and Nissan Leaf all improved on their previous models. They only come out average in the absolute comparison, however. But there are manufacturers who offer a good material quality despite low vehicle prices. . For example, Mazda with the Mazda 3, with an interior that is that is worth the price for a compact car, according to ADAC.
Quality of workmanship is often subject to peaks and troughs
So the question is, is quality getting better or worse overall? According to ADAC Test Engineer Alexander Werner, there is no clear answer. "The material and processing quality often improves and declines in peaks and troughs. While developers want to achieve the best possible quality, controllers want to save on costs to increase return."
If too many cuts are made, resulting in negative feedback from the press and customers, this trend will be reversed again in the successor model. The materials used and workmanship would then be improved again.
You can find a detailed overview of the improving and declining performers on the ADAC website.
