I was amazed that I rarely in Germany ever saw a "beater" car. A local there told me the german officials are REAL tough on the yearly inspections.

Got a big dent in your fender?-FAIL (the dent has undermined the structal intergrity of the car making it unsafe)

A window not roll up/down? FAIL (how will a passenger get out if door is jammed in an accident-unsafe)

List goes on and on-the Germans do not F around