Germany sees surge in Micro-Cars driven by 15-year-olds as safety concerns mount
Micro-Cars, a niche category of vehicles also known as moped cars, have seen a sharp rise in Germany, with their numbers increasing by nearly 80% from 2022 to the end of 2025, according to data from the Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV). The fleet grew from approximately 26,000 to around 46,000 vehicles during this period .
These vehicles, which can be driven by 15-year-olds with a moped license, are designed for short distances, reach a maximum speed of 45 km/h, and are often electrically powered. They can be registered with minimal paperwork, making them a practical alternative for many users. However, despite their lower speeds, Micro-Cars were involved in roughly 2,300 third-party liability insurance claims in 2025, translating to 50 claims per 1,000 insured vehicles—a rate comparable to that of standard passenger cars.
Kirstin Zeidler, head of accident research at the GDV, noted that the vehicle structure of a Micro-Car does not compare to that of a small car, leaving occupants at a significantly higher risk of severe or fatal injuries in a collision. The GDV attributes part of the safety issue to a European weight limit of 425 kilograms for Micro-Cars, which restricts the installation of additional safety features such as airbags or electronic stability control. The association has called for higher weight allowances and mandatory safety standards closer to those of passenger cars to improve protection, particularly for young and inexperienced drivers who often use these vehicles as an alternative to parental transport or public buses.
In the Netherlands, a separate trend has emerged, with more than 23% of sold passenger cars (both new and used) in the past year being 16 years or older, the highest percentage recorded to date . Overall, over 1.7 million cars were sold or changed ownership in the country last year, up from 1.67 million in 2024 .
Follow us for live European news
- 3
- 2
- 2
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
1 further source not geolocated
Articles
Singapore offers parents $55,000 in battle to boost birth rates City-state is on course to become a super-aged society this year
financial times · about 2 hours ago
Teadlased seostavad noorte seas sagenevat soolevähki tuntud umbrohumürgiga Jämesoolevähk, mis on traditsiooniliselt olnud eakamate inimeste haigus, tabab viimastel aastatel üha enam nooremaid, alla 50-aastaseid inimesi. Uus uuring paljastab, et ootamatu haigestumise põhjus ei peitu mitte DNA-s, vaid meie elustiili ja elukeskkonna poolt geenidesse jäetud nähtamatutes keemilistes märkides.
postimees · about 2 hours ago
Regjeringen foreslår sliterpensjon: 34.000 kroner ekstra i året Regjeringen foreslår et «slitertillegg» for pensjonister på cirka 34.000 kroner i året.
aftenposten · about 2 hours ago
Brazilian au pair awarded €10,000 after 18 harrowing weeks working for family Plaintiff tells WRC that soon after starting, she was asked to sign a contract for 70 hours, but for the same money, which she refused to do
irish times · about 2 hours ago
We kopen steeds vaker een stokoude auto en hier komt dat door Nederlanders kopen steeds meer een auto die flink op leeftijd is. Vorig jaar was meer dan 23 procent van de verkochte personenwagens (nieuw en tweedehands) 16 jaar of ouder. Dat percentage was nog niet eerder zo hoog.
rtl nieuws · about 3 hours ago
Vorig jaar meer dan 1,7 miljoen autos verkocht of van eigenaar gewisseld Er zijn vorig jaar iets meer dan 1,7 miljoen autos verkocht of van eigenaar gewisseld. In 2024 waren het er 1,67 miljoen. De mensen uit de op een na hoogste inkomensgroep van 10 procent kopen het vaakst een auto.
nu.nl · about 3 hours ago
Singapore to pay parents $55,000 per child in battle to boost birth rates City-state is on course to become a super-aged society this year
financial times · about 3 hours ago
Immer mehr Mini-Autos: Micro-Cars: Praktisch, aber mit Sicherheitsrisiken Bei Micro-Cars dürfen schon 15-Jährige hinters Steuer. Kein Wunder, dass die Vehikel immer beliebter werden. Doch ihre Sicherheit bleibt hinter der von Pkw zurück.
handelsblatt · about 3 hours ago
Hind määrab: eestlased ostavad üha enam Hiina autosid Hiina autode osakaal on Eestis vaikses, aga märgilises tõusutrendis. Eksperdid hoiatavad julgeolekuohtude eest, Hiina autode edasimüüja sõnul tuleb sarnaste muredega silmitsi seista kõikide tänapäevaste elektriautode puhul.
postimees · about 4 hours ago
Varnar föräldrar: Unga berusar sig på handsprit Fältpersonal som arbetar bland ungdomar varnar för att tonåringar dricker sig berusade på handsprit.– Det är inte ett nytt fenomen, men vi ser ett uppsving nu, säger fältpedagog Linnéa Norberg.
svenska dagbladet · about 5 hours ago
Samenleving nog lang niet rookvrij: jongvolwassenen roken en vapen weer volop
parool · about 6 hours ago
Copiii care au mâncat puțin zahăr în primii ani de viață au ajuns adulți mai sănătoși. Riscul unor forme de cancer, redus cu 69 Copiii care au fost expuși restricțiilor privind consumul de zahăr în primele 1.000 de zile de viață, de la concepție până la vârsta de doi ani, au prezentat, la maturitate, un risc semnificativ mai mic de a dezvolta mai multe forme de cancer, potrivit unui studiu publicat în revista PNAS. Cercetătorii au constatat și că aceștia aveau telomeri mai lungi, asociați cu o îmbătrânire biologică mai lentă, precum și obiceiuri alimentare mai sănătoase menținute timp de decenii.
digi24 · about 9 hours ago
Fritt fram för storslagna bröllop igen – fler barn behövs i Kina BEIDAIHE. På en strand i norra Kina poserar ett blivande brudpar i timtal framför kameran, intill konstgjorda blommor och kulisser. Förr ville kommunistpartiet sätta stopp för överdådiga bröllop. Nu gör myndigheterna i stället allt för att fler ska gifta sig – i syfte att fler barn ska födas.
dagens nyheter · about 9 hours ago
Codice della strada, il ministero: nessuna limitazione per gli over 85 Confermati gli inasprimenti per luso dello smartphone alla guida, esteso anche ai pedoni durante lattraversamento
il sole 24 ore · about 11 hours ago
Thailand is shrinking, and it got old before it got rich Thailands fertility rate fell from six children per woman to two in twenty years - as fast as Chinas - and it did it while the country was still poor.
intellinews · about 11 hours ago
A live for now attitude among young consumers is creating big opportunities for youth-focused fashion and beauty brands
bluesky_The Times · about 11 hours ago
Retromarcia di Salvini sugli over 85 alla guida: Non ci saranno limiti Il ministro fa togliere i vincoli dalla bozza del nuovo Codice: Controlli più severi. I medici: Vanno verificati i riflessi
corriere · about 11 hours ago