Vehicle Weight: Discrepancies and Explanations

Hello everyone,

Perhaps someone has an explanation:
I own a used IBIZA TDI with the ASV engine, manufactured in April 2000. This car was once an import. The vehicle registration document states a curb weight of 1200 kg. So far, nothing unusual. When you look at websites like Autoscout24.de, this weight is almost always listed for the same type of vehicle (if a weight is provided). However, if you check Autoscout24.nl (the Dutch website), the curb weight listed for this model (which originates from there) is consistently 1100 kg. So, it seems that the import process added 100 kg to its weight. It gets even stranger with the Golf. In some cases, the Dutch version of the Golf appears to be heavier, while in others, it's lighter. The same applies to the Polo.
The following could be considered:
"1. Different measurement standards, for example, whether the weight includes the driver or not (but still a hefty 100 kg)."
2. Actually different weights, for example, due to varying safety standards.
Only why do these differences disappear again after re-importing and reappearing in the German vehicle registration document? Are the values of "vehicles not imported as gray imports" simply being blindly adopted here?

Regards,
Joachim.

P.S.
I'm a little concerned that this somewhat "non-technical" topic might be a bit "off-topic" in this "strictly moderated" forum. However, since the weight is crucial for performance calculations, it seems reasonable to pay attention to the reliability of the information provided on the vehicle registration document.

Hi.

One uncertainty is the question of whether the weight includes a "(standard) driver," which would account for a difference of 75 kg.

For example, my tractor weighs 1195 kilograms with the driver, while a Volkswagen Golf 4 with an 81 kW TDI engine weighs at least 1205 kilograms without the driver.

Then there are the "you can't do without them" packages to consider... just take a look at the unladen weight ranges, for example, in VW catalogs: 100 kilograms of on-board luxury is nothing at all.
And then, load an additional 100 kilograms into the DZR...

Hi Joachim,

Don't worry, it's just due to the measurement standards. In Germany, the stated weight doesn't include an additional 75 kilograms for the driver and about half (or two-thirds?) of a full tank, which brings the total to exactly 1200 kg, as indicated in the vehicle registration document and which is accurate in Germany.

I have the exact same car, and mine shows a value of 1240, which is probably due to the air conditioning system.

On some reimport website (I don't remember where, but you should be able to find it with Google), I think it was explained once.

By the way, in my Dutch instructions, the 1200 is also listed as part of the basic equipment, and it says "(with driver)" next to it, which I assume refers to the driver (I don't speak Dutch).

Best regards,

January.

Hi Jan,

I was also trying to find out if there's any kind of manipulation involved with the weight specifications. For example, to obscure the fact that the extra performance of a new model is partially offset by its increased weight.

Okay, gib mir den deutschen Text, den du übersetzt haben möchtest.
In the German Seat brochure, the weight of the most powerful new Ibiza (130 hp TDI) is stated as 1192 kg (2-door, without air conditioning, without driver, with 90% fuel tank fill). This is practically the same as our older model. In the Ibiza forum, drivers of the new model report that their vehicle registration documents show a weight of 1360 kg (with air conditioning, 2-door, and presumably including the driver).

It's also strange that the weight specifications on the German Autoscout24 website never show an increase in weight from the old to the new model (just like in the German brochure). On the other hand, the Dutch Autoscout24 consistently lists the older model as being 100kg lighter. (In my case, a 2-door Signo with climate control, the registration document states 1200kg.)

Well, with all this conflicting information, it's impossible to even figure out whether the new model is lighter, heavier, or the same as before.
Regarding the confusion, I'll also have to start a thread about the ASV timing belt replacement interval (a slightly more important topic). I only bought my car a few days ago (it has 49,000 km on it). In the small folder, there are two service plans to choose from: one with a replacement at 60,000 km (with a long-life tensioner at 90,000), and another option that replaces everything at 90,000 km. Therefore, I'm a bit lost.

Greetings and thank you for the answers (also to Ulf).
Joachim.

The information on the type sticker located on the trunk lid of my A4 (1453 kg) doesn't match the information on the vehicle registration document (1475 kg). Why is that? You would think that the vehicle registration document shows the weight with basic equipment, while the sticker shows the actual weight...