APK defects by part

Brake lines at the APK

In Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 the APK inspector recorded a brake lines defect 66,023 times, across 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars. On 64 model generations it occurs clearly more often than average.

Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026

What is it?

Rusty or leaking brake lines. An A-problem at the APK because braking is at risk.

Repair indication: mediuma targeted repair at the garage.

How to check it at the viewing

Use a torch to look along the lines near the wheels and rear axle: no thick rust or wet spots.

Ask the seller: Have the brake lines ever been (partly) replaced?

Models where this is clearly more common

Sorted by how many extra cars have this defect. Per model the age with the largest difference; only when the lower bound of the 95% confidence interval is above the national share and the difference is at least 3 in 1,000 cars.

#ModelAgeThis modelNationalDifference
1Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse S2042007–201416+ yrs6.2%1.3%4.7×
2BMW 1-serie E872005–201116+ yrs5.6%1.1%5.0×
3BMW 3-serie E90/E912005–201216+ yrs5.3%1.2%4.6×
4Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W2042007–201416+ yrs4.7%1.3%3.5×
5MINI Mini 3-deurs F562016–20243–4 yrs3.3%0.1%40.0×
6MINI Clubman F542016–20243–4 yrs3.1%0.1%37.1×
7Renault Twingo II2007–201411–12 yrs3.1%0.2%12.9×
8MINI Mini Cooper SE F562019–20243–4 yrs2.9%0.1%34.9×
9MINI Mini Cabrio F572016–20243–4 yrs2.8%0.1%34.2×
10BMW 1-serie F402019–20253–4 yrs2.5%0.1%30.2×
11Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S2122009–202413–15 yrs3.0%0.6%5.1×
12Mercedes-Benz B-Klasse W2462011–201813–15 yrs2.9%0.6%4.9×
13Opel Meriva A2005–201116+ yrs3.6%1.3%2.7×
14MINI Countryman F602016–20243–4 yrs2.3%0.1%28.3×
15Suzuki Alto (2009)2009–201513–15 yrs2.3%0.2%11.2×
16Mazda Mazda3 (BL)2009–201313–15 yrs2.2%0.2%10.5×
17MINI Mini 5-deurs F552016–20243–4 yrs2.0%0.1%24.4×
18BMW X1 F482016–20233–4 yrs1.9%0.1%22.5×
19Nissan Pixo2009–201413–15 yrs2.0%0.2%9.4×
20BMW X2 F392018–20243–4 yrs1.8%0.1%21.4×
21Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse W1692005–201216+ yrs2.7%1.1%2.4×
22Chevrolet Spark2009–201411–12 yrs1.8%0.3%7.2×
23Mercedes-Benz B-Klasse W2452005–201416+ yrs2.7%1.2%2.3×
24Peugeot 1072005–202216+ yrs2.8%1.3%2.1×
25Land Rover Range Rover Sport II2013–202311–12 yrs1.7%0.2%7.0×
26BMW 2-serie Active Tourer F452016–20225–6 yrs1.4%0.1%18.0×
27Citroën C1 I2005–201316+ yrs2.6%1.3%2.0×
28Volkswagen Jetta V2005–201416+ yrs2.4%1.1%2.1×
29Mercedes-Benz Sprinter2006–202613–15 yrs1.8%0.6%3.1×
30Volkswagen Fox2005–201316+ yrs2.3%1.2%2.0×
31Suzuki Swift III2005–201213–15 yrs1.7%0.6%2.9×
32Suzuki Splash2008–202113–15 yrs1.6%0.6%2.7×
33Smart Fortwo II (451)2007–201416+ yrs2.3%1.4%1.7×
34Renault Scénic III2009–201611–12 yrs1.1%0.3%4.4×
35MINI Mini R56/R552009–20197–8 yrs0.9%0.1%11.9×
36Hyundai i10 I2008–201413–15 yrs1.4%0.6%2.3×
37Opel Agila B2008–201513–15 yrs1.4%0.6%2.3×
38Toyota Aygo I2005–201316+ yrs2.1%1.3%1.6×
39Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse W1762012–201813–15 yrs1.3%0.6%2.2×
40Suzuki Baleno2016–20209–10 yrs0.8%0.1%7.8×
41Toyota Auris I Hybrid2010–201213–15 yrs1.3%0.6%2.1×
42Volkswagen Touran I2005–201516+ yrs1.8%1.1%1.6×
43SEAT Altea2005–201616+ yrs1.8%1.1%1.6×
44Mazda Mazda2 (DE)2007–201516+ yrs2.0%1.3%1.5×
45Alfa Romeo MiTo2008–20199–10 yrs0.7%0.1%8.1×
46Volkswagen Golf Plus2005–201416+ yrs1.7%1.1%1.5×
47Mercedes-Benz CLA C1172013–201911–12 yrs0.8%0.3%3.1×
48Volkswagen Polo IV2005–201016+ yrs1.6%1.1%1.5×
49Toyota Prius III2009–201613–15 yrs1.1%0.6%1.9×
50Land Rover Range Rover Velar2017–20267–8 yrs0.6%0.1%7.6×
51Volkswagen Touran II2016–20257–8 yrs0.6%0.1%7.2×
52Fiat 500L2012–202111–12 yrs0.6%0.1%5.7×
53Nissan Pulsar2014–20197–8 yrs0.5%0.0%12.4×
54Porsche Macan I2014–20249–10 yrs0.5%0.1%6.4×
55Mazda CX-5 I2012–201713–15 yrs0.6%0.2%3.1×
56Renault Mégane III2008–20169–10 yrs0.5%0.1%5.0×
57Audi A6 (C7)2011–201913–15 yrs0.6%0.2%3.0×
58SEAT Mii2011–20229–10 yrs0.5%0.1%4.8×
59Renault Clio IV2013–20195–6 yrs0.4%0.0%34.1×
60Fiat Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto2005–202113–15 yrs0.6%0.2%2.7×
61Nissan Juke I2010–20197–8 yrs0.4%0.0%10.1×
62Kia Picanto II2011–201813–15 yrs0.9%0.6%1.6×
63Audi A5 (8T)2007–201611–12 yrs0.4%0.1%4.2×
64Ford Ka II2008–201611–12 yrs0.4%0.1%4.1×

The most common defects in this group

Defect (RDW description, Dutch)TypeShare of carsCars
Remleiding door corrosie aangetastA0.5%35,410
Remslang beschadigd, wapeningsmateriaal zichtbaarB0.3%23,643
Remslang schuurt langs enig deelB0.0%2,908
Remslang ernstig misvormdB0.0%1,870
Remleiding, dreigend gevaar voor defecten en breukenA0.0%1,216
Remleiding beschadigdA0.0%918
(Kunststof) remleiding gekniktA0.0%50
Remleiding ernstig gecorrodeerdA0.0%7
Remslang ernstig beschadigd, wapeningsmateriaal beschadigdA0.0%1

Looking at a used car? Check that car

Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how the car compares with the same model at the same age.

Frequently asked questions

Which used cars often have brake lines problems?

At the APK this occurs most clearly above average on the Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse S204, BMW 1-serie E87, BMW 3-serie E90/E91. Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.

Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.

Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know