This paper reports about the VETESS project results and experience with building a model-based testing toolchain to validate automotive embedded systems. This approach, based on existing test generation and test execution tools, makes it possible to automatically derive and execute functional test cases from UML or SysML models. This process is composed of the following steps: modelling (UML or SysML functional view), abstract test case generation (symbolic execution of the model), concretization (generation of executable test scripts from abstract test cases) and analysis (assignation of the test verdict). This process is automated by a toolchain based on Topcased modeler, Smartesting test generator and Clemessy TestInView. This developed prototype made it possible to demonstrate that model-based testing from UML/SysML models is an efficient way to automate testing process for systems mixing software and hardware parts.