Automotive tests
Automotive testing plays a critical role throughout the entire vehicle manufacturing, development, and quality assurance process. Materials, plastic components, surface-treated elements, coatings, and various structural components used in the automotive industry must comply with extremely stringent requirements, as these products are expected to meet high standards not only in terms of aesthetics, but also regarding technical performance, safety, and durability. Properly conducted automotive testing enables manufacturers, suppliers, and developers to gain an accurate understanding of the performance, behavior, and long-term reliability of their products. Automotive testing is one of the core activities of our company, and in many cases these tests must comply with manufacturer-specific requirements as well as complex international standards.
The list of independently accredited tests is available in the “List of Accredited Tests” document.
Type of tests
Automotive Testing – Reliable Measurement Methods for Accurate Material Characterization
The automotive environment places exceptionally high demands on materials. Temperature fluctuations, mechanical stress, friction, exposure to chemicals, UV radiation, humidity, and continuous use are all factors that can significantly affect the condition of a given component or surface. Therefore, the purpose of automotive testing is not merely to determine whether a product meets basic requirements, but also to provide reliable answers to real-life operating and load conditions. A well-designed laboratory testing system provides substantial support in development decisions, detection of manufacturing defects, and maintaining consistent quality.
Why Is Automotive Testing Important?
One of the primary objectives of automotive testing is to provide objective and reproducible results. In automotive manufacturing, even the smallest deviation may have serious consequences, making it essential that the performance of applied materials, coatings, and structural solutions can be measured and compared accurately. Laboratory testing can not only verify compliance, but also help identify weak points, production inconsistencies, or conditions that may lead to long-term failures.
Modern automotive testing also plays a key role in supporting product development. Before introducing a new raw material, coating, or manufacturing technology, it is necessary to evaluate the performance of the given solution under standardized and controlled conditions. This not only improves final product quality, but also makes the development process faster and more efficient. This is particularly important in an industry where reliability, durability, and consistent quality are fundamental requirements.
What Areas Do Automotive Tests Cover?
Automotive testing is highly diverse, as materials and surfaces used in the automotive industry must meet a wide range of requirements. These may include coating tests, surface resistance measurements, scratch and abrasion resistance testing, adhesion tests, hardness measurements, and evaluation of resistance to various chemical and mechanical stresses. Such tests are especially important for painted, lacquered, printed, plastic, or decorative surfaces, where both appearance and durability are essential considerations.
In many cases, automotive testing also includes the evaluation of environmental effects that are continuously present throughout the vehicle’s service life. These may include thermal effects, humidity, contact with cleaning agents or other chemicals, as well as mechanical stresses resulting from regular use. Laboratory testing under controlled conditions allows manufacturers to obtain a more accurate understanding of material behavior before mass production or market release.
The Importance of an Accredited Laboratory Background
In automotive testing, it is particularly important that measurements are carried out in a reliable, standardized, and controlled environment. Accredited laboratory operation is not merely a formal advantage, but a genuine professional foundation ensuring that the applied methods, measuring equipment, and evaluation procedures deliver transparent and credible results. This is especially critical in the automotive industry, where only accurately documented and well-founded test results provide real value for stakeholders involved in the supply chain, product development, and quality assurance.
At MÜKI LABOR, automotive testing is supported by a laboratory environment built on standardized procedures, precise measurement practices, and a consistent quality-focused approach. This is particularly beneficial for partners who require reliable quality control, in-process inspection, or detailed laboratory evaluation of specific materials, surfaces, or coatings. MÜKI LABOR performs a wide range of testing services, from basic standardized tests to complex testing in accordance with automotive industry standards.
Automotive Testing in Practice
In everyday industrial practice, automotive testing is used not only for troubleshooting or compliance verification, but also as a tool for continuous improvement. For a supplier, it may be important to determine how resistant a coating is to rubbing or chemical exposure. For a manufacturer, the long-term behavior of plastic component surfaces under continuous stress may be critical. In other cases, the durability of decorative surfaces, prints, or lacquer layers becomes the primary focus, especially when components are frequently touched or cleaned by users.
Properly selected automotive tests contribute significantly to the early identification of potential problems. This can reduce scrap rates, improve product quality, and help avoid future complaints or manufacturing risks. For this reason, laboratory measurements are not isolated processes, but integral parts of quality assurance.
Why Choose Müki Labor?
Automotive testing is truly valuable when supported by professional expertise, a precise laboratory environment, and reliable evaluation practices. MÜKI LABOR represents a testing approach where accuracy, repeatability, and practical applicability are equally emphasized. This is especially important for automotive partners, as in this sector, fast yet well-founded results and clear professional conclusions can provide a real competitive advantage.
The automotive testing services performed by MÜKI LABOR support partners throughout the entire process — from development and in-process inspection to final quality assessment. Standardized measurements, laboratory expertise, and an accredited operating environment together provide the professional foundation that automotive industry stakeholders can rely on in the long term.
COMPLEX and manufacturer-specific AUTOMOTIVE TESTS
Major global automotive manufacturers require testing in accordance with complex standards consisting of multiple stages and combined test procedures. The purpose of these tests is to evaluate the behavior of components or specific constructions when exposed to conditions similar to real-life operating environments.
Examples of such complex and manufacturer-specific standards:
Volkswagen:
-
- TL 226 – Paintwork on Materials of Vehicle Interior Equipment
- TL 527 – ABS Graft Polymer, Finished Parts
- TL 528 – Chrome-Plated Plastic Parts
- TL 52018 – Double-Sided Foam Adhesive Tape – 65
- TL 52311 – ASA for Components in the Vehicle Exterior Area – 50
- TL 52452 – Polypropylene with Increased Crystallization – 1
- TL 52476 – POM, Finished Parts for the Vehicle Interiort – 21
- TL 52636 – POM Finished Parts (Not for the Vehicle Interior)
- VW 44045 – Polypropylene, Finished Parts
- VW 50123 – Thermoplastic Elastomers
- VW 50125 – Polyamide 6 for Finished Parts in the Vehicle Interior
- VW 50127 – Polyamide 66 for Finished Parts in the Vehicle Interior
- VW 50133 – PA66 for Finished Parts Outside the Vehicle Interior
- VW 50134 – PA6 for Finished Parts Outside the Vehicle Interior
- VW 50136 – PBT for Finished Parts Outside the Vehicle Interior
- VW 50190 – Metrological Assessment of Vehicle Interior Equipment Parts – Visual Properties of a Surface Such as Color, Gloss Level, and Surface Structure
- VW 80000 – Electrical and Electronic Components in Motor Vehicles up to 3,5 t
Suzuki:
-
- SES N 3241 – Test Methods of Scratch Resistance for Plastic Parts and Evaluation Criteria for them
- SES N 3243 – Painting Quality of Plastic Parts
- SES N 3245 – Test Method of Flame-Resistant Interior Materials and Criteria for Flame Resistant Property
- SES D 2203 – Symbols of Painting
- SES N 3292 – Test Methods of Weatherability and Light Resistance for Plastic Parts
Mercedes-Benz:
-
- DBL 1302 – Coating of Plastic Parts in Vehicle Interiors
- DBL 5416 – Parts Manufactured from Thermoplastics for Paneling, Housings and Functional Parts for External Applications
- DBL 8465 – Electroplated Parts Manufactured from Plastics with Metallic and Additional Coatings
- MBN 55555-5 – Non-metallic materials, material systems and semifinished products
- DBL 5307 – Flame retardant properties – Interior trim parts
Ford:
-
- FLTM BI 113 (-06, -07, -08) – Test Method for Resistance to Perspiration
- FLTM BO 131-03 – Interior Odor Test
- FLTM BO 151-01 – Resistance to Low Temperature
- Ford FLTM BO 162-01 – Resistance to Sratch and Marr
- Ford FLTM BI 106-01 – Paint Adhesion Test
- Ford FLTM BI 109-01 – Color Matching with Artificial Light
- Ford FLTM BI 110-01 – Measurement of the Gloss of the Paint Panels
- Ford FLTM BN 112-08 – Soiling and Cleanability for Interior Trim Material
- Ford FLTM BN 108-02 – Resistance to Abrasion – Taber Abraser
- Ford FLTM BN 155-01 – Resistance to Simulated Finger Tip Abrasion
- Ford WSS-M2P188-B1 – Paint Performance, Plastic Substrates, Interior
- Ford WSS-M15P4-I – Part Performance, Hard Mold-in-Color Interior Components
Porsche:
-
- PTL 8140 – Parts and Their Surfaces Requirements and Tests
- PTL 8501 – Vehicle Interior Flammability
Volvo:
-
- STD 423-0030 – Scratch Resistance, Erichsen Pen
- STD 423-0037 – Colour fastness to rubbing
- Volvo STD 1024,3113 – Scratch Resistance
- Volvo 80000003 – Soiling and Cleaning of Plastic Surfaces
- Volvo 85000010 – Resistance to staining, soiling resistance and cleanability of textile upholstery
- Volvo STD 1026,8177 – Chemical resistance
- Volvo VCS 1026,81779 – Chemical resistance
- Volvo VCS 1026,51729 – Assessment of colour in light booth
- Volvo VCS 1027,2719 – Fogging
- Volvo VCS 1027,2729 – Odor of Trim Materials in Vehicles
- Volvo VCS 1027,2749 – Determination of Organic Emissions from Nonmetallic Materials in Vehicle Interiors
- Volvo VCS 1029,54729 – Adhesion Cross-Cut Test
- Volvo VCS 1029,54739 – Adhesion
- Volvo VCS 5031,19 – Flamability of Interior Materials
BMW:
-
- BMW AA-0026 – Aging Resistance
- BMW AA-0053 – Sun Cream Resistance of Painted Parts in the Interior
- BMW AA-0101 – Reflectometer Value (Gloss)
- BMW AA-0180 – Cross Hatch Testing
- BMW GS 95024-3-1 – Electrical and electronic components in motor vehicles
- BMW GS 97034-1 – Manual Abrasion Test
- BMW GS 97034-2 – Finger nail test
- BMW GS 97034-4 – Color abrasion behavior
- BMW GS 97034-5 – Resistance to cleaning and maintenance agents
- BMW GS 97034-8 – Determination of the scratch inclination
- BMW GS 97034-9 – Scratch test
- BMW GS 97034-10 – Scratch and abrasion resistance
- BMW GS 97038 – Determination of burning behavior to automotive interior trim materials
Kia:
-
- KIA MS 210-05E – Molded Plastic Parts -Interior
- KIA MS 300-08 – Flammability Resistance
- KIA MS 300-34 – Test Method of Odor for Interior Materials
Contact
Phone
Headquarters
1119 Budapest, Than Károly Street 17.
Location
1117 Budapest, Budafoki Street 187-189.
Müki Labor Ltd.
If you have any questions about our tests, services or your request for a quote, our expert colleagues are ready to assist you. Whether it is a standard test, custom method development, defect or failure detection or quality assurance issue, we handle all inquiries in detail and with a short deadline.
It is important to us that our clients receive accurate information as quickly as possible, which is why we respond to all incoming inquiries within a short time. If you need a personal consultation, professional consultation or an inspection offer, please contact us for further information.
We look forward to hearing from you at the contact details provided, where we will be happy to help you choose the right direction of investigation and start the process.
Contact information for areas