APK defects by part

Lights at the APK

In Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 the APK inspector recorded a lights defect 1,797,865 times, across 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars. On 68 model generations it occurs clearly more often than average.

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

What is it?

Broken bulbs, misaligned headlights or damaged light units.

Repair indication: smallusually a small repair, often done with the service.

How to check it at the viewing

Walk around with the lights, indicators, brake lights and rear fog light on. Look for moisture in the headlights.

Ask the seller: Have the headlights been aligned, and has there been moisture in the light units?

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
1Dacia Logan2006–20227–8 yrs26.6%11.1%2.4×
2Renault Clio III2005–201213–15 yrs37.1%23.2%1.6×
3Dacia Duster I2010–20227–8 yrs24.8%11.3%2.2×
4Fiat Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto2005–20217–8 yrs24.6%11.2%2.2×
5Citroën C3 II2009–20167–8 yrs24.5%11.1%2.2×
6Tesla Model S2013–20225–6 yrs20.8%7.7%2.7×
7Peugeot 2072006–201611–12 yrs30.9%18.2%1.7×
8Peugeot 208 I2012–20217–8 yrs24.0%11.4%2.1×
9Suzuki SX4 I2006–201511–12 yrs29.5%17.4%1.7×
10Peugeot 2008 I2013–20217–8 yrs22.9%10.9%2.1×
11Renault Mégane III2008–20169–10 yrs25.1%13.2%1.9×
12Renault Clio IV2013–20195–6 yrs19.7%7.9%2.5×
13Suzuki Swift IV2010–20177–8 yrs22.3%11.2%2.0×
14Citroën C4 Cactus2014–20219–10 yrs24.7%13.7%1.8×
15Nissan Note I2006–201411–12 yrs28.9%18.1%1.6×
16Toyota Aygo I2005–201311–12 yrs28.7%17.9%1.6×
17Hyundai i10 I2008–201411–12 yrs28.4%17.7%1.6×
18Škoda Octavia II2005–201311–12 yrs28.1%17.6%1.6×
19Chevrolet Spark2009–201411–12 yrs27.7%17.3%1.6×
20Mercedes-Benz Sprinter2006–20267–8 yrs21.7%11.4%1.9×
21Peugeot 308 II2013–20225–6 yrs18.0%7.8%2.3×
22Citroën C4 Picasso II / SpaceTourer2013–20225–6 yrs17.9%7.8%2.3×
23Dacia Sandero II2013–20227–8 yrs21.2%11.2%1.9×
24Toyota Prius+2012–20217–8 yrs21.0%11.1%1.9×
25Alfa Romeo MiTo2008–20197–8 yrs20.8%10.9%1.9×
26Tesla Model X2016–20225–6 yrs17.7%8.0%2.2×
27Renault Scénic III2009–20169–10 yrs23.1%13.6%1.7×
28Dacia Duster II2018–20245–6 yrs17.1%7.8%2.2×
29Suzuki Alto (2009)2009–20159–10 yrs22.5%13.2%1.7×
30Opel Corsa D2006–20149–10 yrs22.2%13.1%1.7×
31Renault Twingo II2007–201411–12 yrs27.1%18.1%1.5×
32Nissan Pixo2009–201411–12 yrs27.1%18.1%1.5×
33Citroën C3 III2017–20247–8 yrs20.2%11.2%1.8×
34Peugeot 1072005–202211–12 yrs26.7%17.8%1.5×
35Citroën DS32010–202411–12 yrs26.5%17.7%1.5×
36Peugeot 3008 I2009–201711–12 yrs26.5%17.7%1.5×
37Peugeot 5008 II2017–20257–8 yrs19.8%11.0%1.8×
38Citroën C1 I2005–201311–12 yrs26.2%17.5%1.5×
39Toyota Prius III2009–201611–12 yrs26.0%17.3%1.5×
40Citroën C5 Aircross2018–20255–6 yrs16.5%7.9%2.1×
41Tesla Model Y2020–20263–4 yrs14.6%6.3%2.3×
42Hyundai i20 I2008–20179–10 yrs21.1%13.2%1.6×
43Škoda Citigo2011–20225–6 yrs15.6%7.8%2.0×
44Tesla Model 32019–20265–6 yrs15.4%7.7%2.0×
45MG ZS EV2019–20253–4 yrs13.3%6.3%2.1×
46Kia cee'd II2012–20197–8 yrs18.2%11.4%1.6×
47Toyota Auris II2013–20209–10 yrs19.9%13.3%1.5×
48Peugeot 508 I2011–20219–10 yrs19.8%13.2%1.5×
49Dacia Spring2021–20263–4 yrs13.1%6.6%2.0×
50Ford Fiesta VI2008–20187–8 yrs17.1%11.4%1.5×
51Ford Mondeo V2015–20227–8 yrs17.0%11.3%1.5×
52Renault Scénic IV2016–20245–6 yrs13.4%7.9%1.7×
53Ford Focus III2011–20197–8 yrs16.3%10.9%1.5×
54SEAT Mii2011–20223–4 yrs11.7%6.5%1.8×
55Renault Kadjar2015–20233–4 yrs11.5%6.4%1.8×
56Fiat 500X2014–20243–4 yrs11.5%6.4%1.8×
57Opel Karl2015–20195–6 yrs12.7%7.9%1.6×
58Citroën C1 II2014–20225–6 yrs12.6%7.9%1.6×
59Peugeot 1082014–20225–6 yrs12.1%8.1%1.5×
60Peugeot 3008 II2016–20255–6 yrs11.7%7.8%1.5×
61Mitsubishi Outlander III2013–20213–4 yrs10.3%6.4%1.6×
62Škoda Roomster2006–20233–4 yrs10.0%6.3%1.6×
63Volkswagen up!2011–20253–4 yrs9.9%6.2%1.6×
64Land Rover Defender (2020)2020–20263–4 yrs9.9%6.2%1.6×
65Hyundai i10 III2020–20263–4 yrs9.9%6.6%1.5×
66Fiat 500e2020–20263–4 yrs9.5%6.3%1.5×
67Fiat Panda III2012–20263–4 yrs9.4%6.3%1.5×
68Peugeot 208 II2019–20263–4 yrs9.3%6.2%1.5×

The most common defects in this group

Defect (RDW description, Dutch)TypeShare of carsCars
Dimlicht onjuist afgesteldB5.3%366,543
Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreektB4.8%327,389
Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)B3.4%229,960
Licht- donkerscheiding dimlicht onduidelijkB1.7%113,976
Dim-, grootlicht werkt niet (goed)B1.5%101,396
Remlicht werkt niet (goed)B1.4%98,677
Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaanD1.4%98,442
Lichtbeeld dimlicht onjuistB1.0%70,990
Achterlicht werkt niet (goed)B0.9%64,458
Koplamp met afwijkend lichtbeeld onjuist afgesteldB0.6%43,185
Mistachterlicht werkt niet (goed)B0.4%26,898
Mistlicht voor onjuist afgesteldB0.3%20,616

Looking at a used car? Check that car

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Frequently asked questions

Which used cars often have lights problems?

At the APK this occurs most clearly above average on the Dacia Logan, Renault Clio III, Dacia Duster I. 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