How is kerb weight calculated?
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Can you advise me exactly how car manufacturers calculate the kerb weight of cars?
Ernest Sidebottom
A: Kerb weight is the weight of a car with all fluids (coolant, engine oil, brake fluid) plus a full tank of fuel and a driver weighing 75kg.
It's measured when new cars are put forward for UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) type approval by their respective manufacturers.
Cars are tested with a standard specification, so if you choose to add options like air-conditioning or alloy wheels the actual kerb weight of your car may be slightly higher or lower than the official figure.
In the UK, this testing is carried out by the VCA (Vehicle Certification Agency), but an approval issued by any equivalent organisation in the EU is accepted by all member states.
