Current testing technologies

Since 1951, periodic vehicle inspections in Germany have ensured that technical defects and modifications are identified and rectified and that vehicle road safety is guaranteed. To this end, we provide PTI inspectors in Germany with modern specifications and testing technologies.

Innovativ & digital

Specifications & testing technologies for vehicle inspections

During regular vehicle inspections (periodic technical inspections), the road safety, regulatory compliance and environmental compatibility of vehicles are assessed. This serves to ensure that only roadworthy and compliant vehicles are on the roads.

We develop and evaluate the specifications and testing technologies for these inspections. We provide PTI inspectors with specifications and testing technologies for all the test criteria set out in the German road traffic regulations, where possible via the electronic vehicle interface using the PTI-Adapter (VIS.HUA). This allows the fitment, function, performance and condition of components and systems to be efficiently inspected and reliably assessed.

Manipulated or missing safety systems (for example, systems that have not been replaced after an accident) can be detected quickly and reliably by querying the hardware/software version and configurations of the controllers.

The vehicle’s internal electronic messages can be detected by the PTI-Adapter and used in other processes, for instance, as reference values. A brake efficiency test based on the reference braking force, for example, ensures an effective and efficient inspection of a vehicle’s braking system. If the PTI-Adapter is used as a measurement device, the efficiency of the braking system can also be assessed during a test drive.

The PTI-Adapter checks the condition of safety-related and environmentally relevant components and systems via the electronic vehicle interface. To do this, it reads the event memory from the vehicle’s controllers and assigns a manufacturer-agnostic, universal error code. The internal sensors in the PTI-Adapter can also be used to check the condition of the suspension.

Inspecting fitment

Inspecting function and fitment

The PTI-Adapter is used to trigger the corresponding function. For example, it enables the inspector to turn on the bulbs in the lighting systems from anywhere on the vehicle, making the whole process far easier.

Inspecting performance

Inspecting condition

Effective & proven

Modern inspection equipment and scan tools

We provide PTI inspectors with the specification information system (VIS) for conducting periodic technical inspections. It consists of the operating application (VIS.App) and the PTI-Adapter test system (VIS.HUA), plus a supplementary truck trailer interface (VIS.TTI) for trailers. The VIS.App communicates with the vehicle’s controllers via the PTI-Adapter in order to conduct various tests efficiently and effectively, such as inspecting the fitment and condition of the components and systems, the controllers’ software and braking efficiency. The application can also measure dynamic vehicle parameters such as deceleration using the PTI-Adapter’s internal sensors.

VIS.App

PTI-Adapter (VIS.HUA)

Truck trailer interface (VIS.TTI)

Efficient vehicle inspections

VIS.App – the information system for periodic technical inspections.

VIS.App is a software application that supports PTI inspectors in conducting periodic technical inspections. Via a notebook, tablet or smartphone, it provide PTI inspectors with digital support in the form of information about the vehicles and on the inspection of safety-related vehicle systems and components.

By displaying specifications, inspection instructions and other information and by applying test procedures for the electronic vehicle interface via the PTI-Adapter, it enables efficient inspections of the safety-related and environmentally relevant components and systems installed in the vehicle.

VIS.App has been used as a tool by PTI inspectors in Germany since 2006 – formerly under the name FSD.HU21.

Vehicle coverage

VIS.App contains information for vehicles of almost all relevant models, manufacturers and vehicle types: passenger cars, heavy goods vehicles, buses, trailers and motorcycles. It contains information for more than 100 million vehicles in Germany and Europe.

Supported devices

VIS.App is optimised for various display devices, including notebooks, tablet PCs and smartphones (with touch operation).

VIS.App provides all the PTI-relevant information on the inspected vehicle:

Test specifications

Specifications and testing methods for assessing the fitment, condition, function and performance of components and systems, including via the electronic vehicle interface

Test instructions

Vehicle type-specific test instructions and defects

Standard tyres

Permitted wheel/tyre combinations

Additional information

Further information regarding operation and functionality (such as instrumentation and on-board computer menus)

Locational information

Position of the VIN, vehicle identification plate, OBD port and engine code where relevant

Technical data

Including for the engine, gearbox and emissions

Digital assistant

VIS.HUA – A universal scan tool made by PTI inspectors, for PTI inspectors.

1 July 2015 marked the beginning of a new era in vehicle inspections. Since that date, the electronic vehicle interface has been used for periodic technical inspections (PTIs) in Germany. A milestone for road safety in Germany, and one that has made the country a pioneer within Europe. Since then, the PTI-Adapter (VIS.HUA) has served as a crucial tool that supports PTI inspectors in inspecting vehicles with regard to the fitment, function, performance and condition of their components and systems.

The PTI-Adapter is a handy and robust testing and measuring device for universal use in periodic technical inspections. Together with the VIS.App software application, it enables both communication with the vehicle electronics via the electronic vehicle interface and the measurement of driving dynamics parameters.

The PTI-Adapter optimises a number of inspection components (such as the brake efficiency test) and makes others possible for the first time (such as inspecting modern headlamp systems with adaptive light functions or inspecting electric or hybrid vehicle batteries).

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Minimal downtime

Thanks to the ultra-fast update process

4 GB random access memory

Ensures high performance

32 GB embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC)

Future-proofing with regard to large vehicle data volumes

Handling and ease of use

High-contrast display, clear menu structure, optimised wide carrying handle, clear keyboard layout with configurable function key

Powerful battery & standby

Enables longer operation without recharging and ensures readiness for immediate use

Operating voltage

Operates from 12 V and 24 V on-board power supply units (OBD port), charging via OBD port (12 V or 24 V) or separate 230 V plug-in power supply, rapid charging via USB-C power delivery

Advanced wireless standards

WLAN, Bluetooth, and LTE ensure fast data transmission while keeping energy consumption low.

Trailer inspection

VIS.TTI – The truck trailer interface

Performing inspections via the vehicle interface using the PTI-Adapter also opens up new possibilities for inspecting commercial vehicle trailers in Categories O3 and O4.

However, as heavy commercial vehicle trailers do not have an OBD interface, we have developed a truck trailer interface (VIS.TTI) that also enables the PTI-Adapter to be used on Category O3 and O4 trailers.

The truck trailer interface makes it possible to use the familiar technology consisting of the PTI-Adapter and its operating and display unit on heavy commercial vehicle trailers.