{"id":9652,"date":"2020-02-03T15:00:21","date_gmt":"2020-02-03T14:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gok-blog.de\/2020\/02\/03\/is-it-mandatory-to-have-a-gas-test-in-your-motor-caravan-and-caravan-every-two-years\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T10:56:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T08:56:45","slug":"is-it-mandatory-to-have-a-gas-test-in-your-motor-caravan-and-caravan-every-two-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gok-blog.de\/en\/is-it-mandatory-to-have-a-gas-test-in-your-motor-caravan-and-caravan-every-two-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it mandatory to have a gas test in your motor caravan and caravan every two years?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

The gas test specifically for motor caravan owners is causing a bit of a splash at the moment. The reason for this is the new guideline for the main inspection (known in Germany as the “HU”) of camping vehicles, passed by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI). Does this now mean that the gas systems in motor caravans are no longer part of the inspection? And what happens with caravans? We at GOK can clear things up in this article.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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<\/span>Update June 2024<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

There is finally clarity thanks to a new paragraph in the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO). Paragraph 60 “LPG systems in vehicles” now clearly states that LPG systems in motorhomes and caravans must be inspected every two years by an expert in accordance with G 607. The industry association DVFG has clearly summarized all relevant information<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

It should be noted that for the vast majority of campers, nothing will change. Despite the unclear legal situation, almost all operators of camping vehicles have been going for their regular gas inspection in the meantime. Why? Because it is a reasonable investment in the long-term safety of the occupants, all road users and all neighbors on the campsite.<\/p>\r\n

<\/span>This is how it was for motor caravans…<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For motor caravans, the regulations were always clear: If the owner cannot present any current test certificate for the gas system during the main vehicle inspection, T\u00dcV and DEKRA <\/strong>complete the inspection with a major fault. For the camper, this means doing the gas test and HU one more time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

<\/span>This is how it is now for motor caravans!<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The BMVI has now revised the general evaluation of faults. According to this revision, the lack of proof of the gas test is no longer viewed as a major fault<\/strong>. In theory, T\u00dcV and DEKRA can now issue a new badge for the main vehicle inspection of the motor caravan. And this is even the case if the owner hasn’t had a gas test carried out for years and \u2013 in the worst case \u2013 the gas system is no longer safe. But, as we said, this is just the theory<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

As a justification for this U-turn regarding the evaluation of faults, the BMVI <\/strong>states that the measuring devices which were previously used for the gas test did not meet the requirements of the HU directive. The plan now is to have described the requirements for the measuring devices and examiners in more detail by 2023. Until then, it is nominally the case that in a passing inspection result for a motor caravan, the owner is released from the obligation to prove that the gas system is safe according to G 607.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\"\"<\/a>\r\n
Previously, this was the case for motor caravans: If you couldn’t prove a valid gas test according to G 607 during the main vehicle inspection, you would not receive a test badge. This has now changed \u2013 until 2023.<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

<\/span>Mandatory documentation<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

However in turn, this does not mean that the gas system will remain left out of the inspection completely. If the gas system has a fault, the HU examiner will also record this. As soon as the fault is written in black and white and the camper ignores this, their insurance protection starts to look quite doubtful<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\"Especially<\/a>\r\n
Especially in such high temperatures, campers should always stay on the safe side when it comes to the functionality of the gas system. This is why GOK still recommends going and having the gas test carried out every two years according to G 607.<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
A risky game<\/strong><\/h5>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

And on the subject of insurance… Even if passing the main vehicle inspection no longer requires proof of a successful G 607 test, the worksheet G 607 still prescribes the gas test be carried out after two years at the latest. And this is also the stipulation for insurance<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

That means that successfully passing the G 607 test is hugely important for your insurance protection to remain valid. To put it in plain language for campers: If in the future you neglect to take the gas test when it’s due, you risk not having any insurance protection.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

<\/span>Update 14 August 2020<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Some time ago, T\u00dcV S\u00dcD published a clear statement on their website in the FAQs section (please scroll to the block of questions “QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MAIN VEHICLE INSPECTION (HU) OF MOTOR CARAVANS, CARAVANS AND TRAILERS”):<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Here’s an important excerpt using the same wording: “At the time of the HU, there must still be a valid gas test, or the gas test may also be carried out by T\u00dcV S\u00dcD together with the HU.”<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

That means that, unlike the theory we described at the beginning based on the stipulations of the BMVI, T\u00dcV S\u00dcD do things differently in practice and only issue a valid HU badge if the owner can prove that the gas test was successfully passed.<\/p>\r\n