KÜS

What KÜS does

KÜS (Kraftfahrzeug-Überwachungsorganisation freiberuflicher Kfz-Sachverständiger e.V.) is a German vehicle monitoring organization founded in 1980 and headquartered in Losheim am See. It is structured as a registered association (e.V.), a private non-profit form in which the organization is controlled by its members rather than shareholders, and it has no disclosed private-equity or public-market ownership. KÜS is formally designated under §29 of the German road traffic regulations (StVZO) to conduct legally recognized periodic vehicle inspections (Hauptuntersuchung), along with modification approvals (Einzelabnahme/Einzelgenehmigung), historic-vehicle assessments (H-Kennzeichen), gas-system inspections, and emissions-related certifications. Its service portfolio also includes expert witness and valuation services (Sachverständigenwesen) for damage reports, vehicle valuations, and evidence preservation, a Technischer Dienst handling type approvals and component certifications, IT solutions (colocation, managed services, hardware, and software) delivered via subsidiary KÜS DATA, and operational safety services (occupational safety, fire protection, DGUV, electrical testing) for business customers. The organization operates through a Germany-wide network of more than 1,000 partner inspection stations accessible via online location search, supplemented by a partner portal (portal.kues.de) for business customers and self-serve tools for report copies and online calculators.

The underlying technology stack combines conventional vehicle inspection and testing methodologies (lighting, brakes, emissions, chassis) with selected advanced inspection tooling. Its principal technology initiative is ARPA (Automotive Radar Pattern Analyzer), a prototype developed with Keysight that uses radar-pattern analysis to detect impairments and damage to automotive radar sensors, addressing how repainting, minor accidents, or component changes can degrade driver-assistance system performance. KÜS Drive is an ongoing research and development project focused on future traffic safety, covering brake and lane-keeping assistants, occupant and driver information systems, lighting and visibility assistants, automation functions, and assisted driving. The business model is predominantly unit-pricing under regulated fee schedules for statutory inspections, supplemented by professional-services fees for expert opinions and technical assessments, managed-services revenue from IT solutions, and subscription-like arrangements for occupational safety services; revenue is not publicly disclosed. Customers include individual vehicle owners (primary), commercial fleet operators, public-transport and dangerous-goods carriers (BOKraft, ADR), automotive partners such as Manthey Racing (technology partnership), and sponsorship counterparties such as the Deutscher Handballbund.

Name

KÜS

Legal name

Kraftfahrzeug-Überwachungsorganisation freiberuflicher Kfz-Sachverständiger e. V.

Website

https://kues.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

KÜS is a German non-profit vehicle monitoring organization designated under §29 StVZO, providing legally recognized periodic vehicle inspections, expert opinions, modification approvals, IT solutions, and occupational safety services to private vehicle owners and commercial fleets through a Germany-wide partner network of more than 1,000 stations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vehicle Inspection & Monitoring Services

NAICS

Automotive Mechanical and Electrical Repair and Maintenance (81111), General Automotive Repair (811111)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

DOT/Annual Vehicle Safety Inspections & Roadworthiness Certification (TLAKANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vehicle Inspection, Testing & Compliance (Safety, Emissions, Certification) (THAIANAC), DOT / Regulatory Compliance Inspections & Certifications (FMCSA/State) (TLAKAGAC)

Keywords

• Vehicle inspection services
• Periodic vehicle inspections
• Expert witness services
• Vehicle modification approvals
• Automotive technical assessments

Headquarters

HQ city

Losheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Vehicle Inspection Fees (Hauptuntersuchung): Fees charged for periodic vehicle inspections (Hauptuntersuchung) as a formally recognized vehicle monitoring organization. Fees are set according to applicable fee schedules.
2. Technical Expert Services: Revenue from expert opinions (Gutachten), vehicle assessments, damage reports, and modification acceptance inspections for private and business customers.
3. IT Solutions and Data Center Services: IT services including Colocation/Housing, Managed Services, Hardware, and Software for business customers, delivered through KÜS DATA and related entities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KÜS is a formally designated German vehicle monitoring organization that conducts legally recognized periodic vehicle inspections (Hauptuntersuchung), modification approvals, expert witness and damage/valuation reports (Sachverständigenwesen), and technical vehicle assessments (Technischer Dienst). It also delivers business-customer services including fleet safety inspections (Sicherheitsprüfung, BOKraft, ADR-Prüfung), IT solutions (colocation, managed services, hardware, software), and operational safety services (occupational safety, fire protection, DGUV, electrical testing).

Product overview

KÜS (Kraftfahrzeug-Überwachungsorganisation freiberuflicher Kfz-Sachverständiger e.V.) is a German vehicle monitoring organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of automotive inspection, certification, and advisory services. The core offering centers on Fahrzeugüberwachung (vehicle monitoring) which includes the Hauptuntersuchung (periodic vehicle inspection), modification approvals (Einzelabnahme), and safety inspections. Adjacent services include Sachverständigenwesen (expert witness/valuation services) for damage reports, vehicle valuations, and historic vehicles, as well as a Technischer Dienst (technical service) handling type approvals and component certifications. For business customers, KÜS provides IT-Lösungen (IT solutions including colocation and managed services) and Betriebssicherheit (operational safety including occupational safety and fire protection). The organization operates specialized subsidiaries including KÜS Data for data services and KÜS Technik for technical assessments. The KÜS Drive R&D project focuses on future mobility safety technologies. KÜS Data provides data services under its own terms and conditions. KÜS Technik handles technical assessments. The organization maintains an online portal for partners at portal.kues.de and publishes the KÜS Magazin online publication. This multi-faceted approach allows KÜS to serve both private vehicle owners and commercial fleets with inspection, certification, and safety services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hauptuntersuchung (HU) / Periodic Vehicle Inspection Legally mandated periodic vehicle inspection for cars and motorcycles in Germany, covering safety, emissions, and roadworthiness; delivered through KÜS partner inspection stations nationwide.
• Einzelabnahme / Einzelgenehmigung (Individual Vehicle Approval) Technical inspection and approval of vehicle modifications and customizations including wheels, suspension, exhaust systems, and aftermarket parts to confirm regulatory compliance.
• Sachverständigenwesen (Expert Witness and Valuation Services) Expert witness and valuation services covering damage assessments (Schadengutachten), vehicle valuations (Fahrzeugbewertung), condition reports (Zustandsbericht), evidence documentation (Beweissicherung), historic vehicle evaluations, and liquefied-gas system assessments.
• Technischer Dienst (Technical Service — Type and Component Approvals) Technical service division providing type approvals (Typgenehmigungen) and component type approvals (ABE/TTG) for vehicle parts and modifications.
• IT-Lösungen (IT Solutions for Business Customers) IT solutions for business customers including Colocation/Housing, Managed Services, Hardware, Software, and document management services, delivered via the partner portal and KÜS DATA.
• Betriebssicherheit (Operational Safety Services) Workplace and operational safety services for businesses including occupational safety (Arbeitssicherheit), fire protection (Brandschutz), data protection, DGUV compliance, and electrical testing (Elektroprüfung).
• Fleet Vehicle Inspections (Sicherheitsprüfung, BOKraft, ADR-Prüfung) Commercial-vehicle inspection services covering periodic inspections, safety inspections (Sicherheitsprüfung), BOKraft inspections for public transport vehicles, and ADR inspections for dangerous-goods vehicles.
• Licht-Test (Light Test Campaign) Annual free vehicle lighting inspection campaign promoted by KÜS in cooperation with other organizations; each edition is a recurring seasonal initiative in October.

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Manthey RacingcoreTechnology or Integration · 12 May 2026Long-standing technology partnership between KÜS and Manthey Racing. KÜS provides technical expert assessments for Manthey and maintains a joint presence in DTM, Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), and the 24h-Rennen at the Nürburgring. The partnership is framed around technology transfer between motorsport and road traffic safety. The 'Grello' Porsche 911 GT3 is a notable flagship vehicle in the partnership.
• Deutscher Verkehrssicherheitsrat (DVR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKÜS is a member of the DVR and actively participates in committees aimed at improving traffic safety for all road users, aligned with the DVR's 'Vision Zero' initiative. Focus areas include motorcycle safety and broader traffic safety awareness campaigns.
• Deutscher Handballbund (DHB)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSince 2020, KÜS supports the approximately 300 referees of the DHB. KÜS branding appears on referee jerseys, and the partnership includes various support activities such as driving safety training for referees. Partnership covers Bundesliga and youth league referees across all levels.
• KÜS Drive (Research Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKÜS Drive is the organization's own research and development project focused on future traffic safety, including brake and lane-keeping assistants, occupant and driver information systems, light and visibility assistants, automation functions, and assisted driving. The project ensures that vehicle monitoring keeps pace with advancing driver assistance technologies.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ADAC: Germany's largest mobility club, providing roadside assistance and vehicle-related advisory services that overlap with KÜS's consumer-facing safety and informational content (Ratgeber, Licht-Test). Not a direct §29 monitor but adjacent in citizen-vehicle services.

Direct peers

• DEKRA: Germany's largest vehicle inspection organization with the most extensive partner workshop network. Competes head-to-head with KÜS on HU, expert reports, and fleet inspections, while also operating internationally — a scale advantage versus KÜS.
• TÜV Rheinland: Another leading German monitoring organization performing periodic vehicle inspections under §29 StVZO. Operates a similar partner-station model with adjacent expert-opinion and certification services that mirror KÜS's Sachverständigenwesen offering.
• TÜV SÜD: One of Germany's largest designated vehicle monitoring organizations, conducting Hauptuntersuchungen and a broad portfolio of testing, certification, and inspection services. Directly comparable to KÜS in core periodic inspection scope and regulatory designation.
• GTÜ (Gesellschaft für Technische Überwachung): Smaller, technically focused German monitoring organization similar in size and positioning to KÜS, offering periodic inspections, expert opinions, and modification approvals through its own partner network of engineering offices.
• KÜV (Kraftfahrzeug-Überwachungsorganisation freiberuflicher Kfz-Sachverständiger Bayern): Regional peer in the same freiberufliche Kfz-Sachverständiger organizational tradition as KÜS, conducting statutory vehicle inspections and expert opinions primarily in Bavaria with a comparable legal structure.
• TÜV NORD: Designated German monitoring organization performing periodic vehicle inspections, technical service, and type approval work — directly comparable to KÜS's Technischer Dienst and Hauptuntersuchung portfolios.

Others

• Standox / TÜV IT-managed service providers (data center / managed services): Adjacent IT-services peers comparable to KÜS's KÜS DATA colocation and managed-services business line for fleet and business customers, where scale colocation and managed-cloud providers compete for the same B2B IT spend.
• Hpi Carproof / CarVertical (vehicle history and inspection data): Vehicular data and history providers aggregating vehicle records. Adjacent to KÜS's KÜS DATA subsidiary, which holds inspection data; not a regulated monitor but a comparable digital-infrastructure/data-services peer in vehicle provenance and history.

Emerging players

• AVL List GmbH: Major automotive measurement, diagnostics, and test-systems provider developing ADAS validation and powertrain testing tools. Comparable to KÜS's KÜS Drive and ARPA initiatives, where inspection-relevant diagnostic technologies are being defined for next-generation vehicles.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/k%C3%BCsmedia
• Facebookfacebook.com/kues.de
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/kues_ev
• Instagraminstagram.com/kues.de
• TikToktiktok.com/@kues_de
• Xx.com/kuesofficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KÜS