What is ITV in Spain? A quick guide

Are you wondering what is an ITV in Spain? It is the Spanish equivalent of what in the UK is known as MOT, however, there are several differences. Here we will tell you all about them.

The ITV is an inspection to check whether your car is roadworthy or not. If you are planning on buying a car in Spain, the ITV test is something you will get used to with time. At first, it might look daunting, but we hope that after this quick guide you have everything you need to pass it successfully.

However, it is essential that you know what is the ITV in Spain and the steps to go through to show that your car is in perfect condition. If you are caught without the ITV sticker you are given after the test, you could be obliged to pay a fine of 90 to 150 euros, or they could confiscate your car until you prove it has passed the ITV.

Documents you will need for the ITV test

Whilst learning about what is the ITV in Spain, you should also make sure that you have the right documentation to deliver during the test. These are the documents you must present:

• Ficha técnica: This is a document that shows the technical information about your car.
• Permiso de circulación: Your vehicle’s registration document.
• Evidence that your car has the appropriate insurance. Usually, you present a payment receipt of the latest car insurance premium
• DNI/NIE identification

What is ITV in Spain?: charges and fee

As you might know, once you are at the ITV station, and you present all the documentation, they will ask you to pay a certain fee. The amount depends on the type of vehicle you drive, its power, and its size, among other aspects. It also varies in each Autonomous Community. Here you have a link with the complete information (it is in Spanish).

When should you take your car to the ITV test?

While in the UK you must take the MOT annually, the frequency depends on the age of the car.

Cars:

• If your car is less than four years old, you are exempt from undergoing the inspection.
• Once the car is between four and ten years, it must be done every two years.
• If your car is older than 10 years, then it must pass the inspection annually.

Motorcycles:

• They are first tested after five years, then every two years.

Caravans:

• Caravans must be first tested at six years, then every two years.

Schedule an appointment for the ITV inspection

Another important aspect is to know how to book an appointment for your ITV in Spain. Now it is possible to pre-book your appointment with the ITV centre and avoid long queues of people with their vehicles looking to take the ITV test.

Make your appointment here.

There are many ITV centres all around Spain, so it will not be difficult for you to find one close to your municipality. The opening hours depend on each ITV centre, but it ranges from 8:00 to 20:00.

It is also important that you schedule your ITV inspection as early in the morning as possible. Later you will discover why.

What is the ITV in Spain? What does it consist of?

With an MOT, you can drop your car and leave, and there is nothing more you need to worry about. However, in Spain, you will be asked to perform a series of tasks during the inspection.

If it looks intimidating to you, given the language differences, then you can ask a Spanish speaker to take the car through for you. Here we show you how it will look like and the steps you will be asked to take:

1. Give your car documentation to the ITV office and pay the fee. You will be given some documents that you should deliver to the mechanic.
2. Take your car through the different checkpoints:
   1. Lights, wipers, indicators, hazards, seatbelts, etc.
   2. Wheel alignment
   3.  Hand brakes and brake.
   4. Omissions and oil
3. Park your car and come back to the office for the paperwork.

What to do when your vehicle has failed the ITV test

Once the inspection is finished, you should check the sheet and look for the results of the test. If your car has failed the ITV, then you will see a stamp with the word “Disfavorable”, which means “unfavorable” in English. There you will also find all the information regarding the technical features you must repair, so your car is considered roadworthy.

You have a month to fix your car and pass the test again. If you do so in the first 15 days, you will get a discount on the fee. Past that period of time, you will have to pay the full amount.

What happens if you have a foreign vehicle

First, you must know that if your car has been more than 6 months in Spain, then it will be considered to be permanently imported, and it must be re-registered. Learn how to do so here: Registering a foreign car in Spain: a complete guide.

If you drive a foreign car in Spain, you can pass the ITV, but it will only count as a “Voluntary Certificate”, not as valid proof that your car is roadworthy. These are the options you have:

• Pass the test in the country where your car was registered.
• It must be correctly imported and transferred to Spanish plates.

We hope that you have found this article useful. If you have any questions regarding your car insurance in Spain, BMI BROKERS is here to help you. Get in contact with us, and we will gladly help you.