Tuning and TÜV
TÜV and Tuning – What You Need to Know About the New Parts Type Approval
The topic of TÜV and tuning quickly becomes relevant if you want to boost your vehicle’s performance. As long as you’re driving on public roads—and not just racing or pushing the car up your own driveway—you need the proper paperwork to drive legally.
Just as varied as the tuning options are, the guidelines regarding registration and certification used to be equally complicated. On June 20, 2025, however, the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) implemented significant changes that have a major impact on the tuning world. On this page, you’ll find all the latest information on tuning and TÜV.
Please note: The legal change is still so recent that there is no final solution for certain cases yet. If you’re unsure whether your tuning project is feasible, feel free to message us via chat. We’re sure to find a solution.
- 1. The most important info short and sweet:
- 2. What does “with TÜV” even mean?
- 3. What is the parts type approval (TTG)?
- 4. What is ECE approval?
- 5. What changes for tuners due to the TTG?
- 6. Tuning parts with TÜV from BAR-TEK®
- 7. What happens if I already have a general operating permit?
- 8. What happens if I have parts with a parts certificate installed?
- 9. When do I need an individual approval?
The most important info short and sweet:
- The parts type approval (TTG) now replaces or extends the General Operating Permit (ABE).
- Parts with TTG are registration-free.
- An existing ABE remains valid and can be extended.
- Parts certificates for already installed parts remain valid.
- From June 20, 2028, new parts with old parts certificates are only valid after individual approval.
- All tuning parts with TÜV at BAR-TEK® are registration-free.
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The TTG is recognized throughout the EU, although it is a national German document.
In Switzerland, the TTG does not apply; separate certificates are required here.
What does “with TÜV” even mean?
In common usage, the expression “with TÜV” has become established to indicate that the corresponding tuning parts and modifications to vehicles are legal. Since 20 June 2025, this has been implemented through the national component type approval (TTG). This approval confirms that the respective products meet the legal standards. Parts for which individual approval was previously mandatory will also require individual operating approval in the future.
What is the type approval for parts (TTG)?
The parts type approval (TTG) must be applied for by manufacturers at the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). It replaces or supplements the General Operating Permit (ABE) and also completely replaces the former parts certificate. The TTG always refers to products of the same type; manufacturers can therefore produce any number of identical products, all of which then have parts type approval.
The purpose of the parts type approval is to counteract the high number of faulty parts certificates. The same complex KBA procedures and the same requirements for manufacturers apply to the TTG as to the General Operating Permit. For this purpose, the test procedure has been enormously expanded compared to the former parts certificates, which is why the previous obligation for installation acceptance expires, since this is part of the approval process. Only bodies designated by the KBA may issue type approvals in order to ensure the required quality.
You can recognize tuning parts approved with TTG by the six-digit marking “KBA XXXXXX”.
Note for Austria and Switzerland:
Although the TTG is a national German document, it is recognized throughout the EU.
“The minimum standards are derived from legal acts of the European Union, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and national regulations such as the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) and the Vehicle Parts Regulation (FzTV).” (Source: KBA)
For one hundred percent legal certainty in Switzerland, separate certificates are required, which we will tackle for you next.
What is ECE approval?
The ECE test mark, also referred to as ECE approval or ECE marking, is likewise a standardized type approval, but it is valid throughout Europe and even in additional countries. With ECE approval, you also do not need any registration or ABE and you are driving absolutely legally.
You can recognize an ECE marking by a circle containing a capital “E” in combination with a number. The number indicates the respective country in which the test took place. The number 1 stands for Germany, for example, 12 for Austria and 14 for Switzerland.
By the way: We have had all our ignition coils tested and are now the first and only supplier of ignition coils with ECE approval:
Tuning parts with TÜV from BAR-TEK®
It’s no secret that we aim to constantly improve ourselves and our products. This also includes giving you a helping hand in implementing your tuning projects and putting the best innovations in your hands as quickly as possible. We also couldn’t wait when it comes to TÜV and, as the first shop, we have high-performance ignition coils with ECE approval and oil catchtank kits with TÜV (parts certificate) in our range. In addition, there are a number of other tuning parts with TÜV, including an open intake, PCV fix, suction hoses, charge pipes, and more.
Because we always test our parts in combination with each other, they can also be used together without the general operating permit expiring. If you want to be on the safe side, you should therefore always combine our TÜV parts with each other. Besides the legal aspect, this also has the advantage that you get perfectly matched parts that ensure a solid increase in power.
BAR-TEK® code of honor: We are constantly working to develop new products for you and to approve them according to the latest standards. We also work with the most renowned technical services and the most modern measuring equipment so that you are always safe and 100% legal on the road.
What happens if I already have a general type approval?
Your existing ABE remains valid and can be extended. However, you cannot switch from an ABE to the TTG as part of an extension. Since June 2024, the KBA no longer issues ABEs.
When do I need an individual approval?
You always need an individual operating permit in accordance with § 21 StVZO, also called individual approval, if your vehicle or installed parts do not belong to any approved type. This includes custom builds or vehicles whose ABE has expired after structural modifications. The combination of certain tuning parts, which individually have a parts certificate, can also require an individual approval. What will happen in the future when several parts with parts type approvals are installed is still unclear. It is possible that in certain cases an individual approval will also be required here.
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