GETTING YOUR CAR THROUGH AN ITV TEST
Getting your car through an ITV Test
NEWS JUNE 2024 - After months of strikes which were only resolved a few months ago, the situation regarding the ITV (MOT) vehicle testing stations remains "complicated" to put it mildly. The old online appointment system crashed, and it was been confirmed last weekend that there is not one single test appointment available in the whole of the Valencian region, at least until August!
Not good news for those that need a test, to avoid a fine and possible impounding of their vehicle for not having one!! The Valencian government has taken on 340 new workers to try and "repair" the system, but that will take time...In the meantime, drivers from our Comunidad Valenciana are travelling to other regions such as Castilla la Mancha or Murcia to get their tests done.... Don't forget that there is zero leeway with expiry dates, even to "just drive to the test station".
WHAT IS AN ITV
The ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) is the road-worthiness test for a motor vehicle in Spain. It is the equivalent of an MOT in the UK. ITV tests are compulsory and may only be undertaken by an authorised garage. The aim of the test is to reduce the risk of accidents, to contribute to greater road safety and better quality of the environment. It is illegal to drive a car which does not have a current ITV certificate.
Driving with an out-of-date ITV attracts a fine of €500, and driving after a fail but before passing a re-test – even if it is still within date and the repairs have been effected – means a fine of €200
HOW TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
Appointments need to be booked on line, the language can be changed to English - click here to take you direct to the site. The nearest testing centre for Benidorm is just on the N332 on the road just past where all the Spanish Night Clubs are.
You can pass the ITV up to 30 calendar days before the deadline expires and that month in advance would be respected, that is, the date of the new ITV will be one year and one month from this inspection.
Remember that there is no “grace time” once the date of validity of your ITV has expired, it will be reportable.
WHAT PAPERWORK DO YOU NEED WITH YOU?
1) The previous ITV card
2) Registration Certificate
3) Insurance documents
4) Cash they do not accept card payments.
CURRENT PRICES March 2023 Valencia Communidad (prices for 2024 do not seem to be currently available)
Private motorcycles | ||
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Description Up to 3 wheels 4-stroke catalyzed gasoline, European approval |
Tarifa 26,09€ 33,07€ |
|
Private cars | ||
Description Uncatalyzed gasoline Catalyzed gasoline Diesel |
Tarifa 34,49€ 41,47€ 56,15€ |
|
Transport <= 3,500 kg | ||
Description Uncatalyzed gasoline Catalyzed gasoline Diesel |
Tarifa 34,49€ 41,47€ 56,15€ |
|
Transport > 3,500 kg | ||
Description Diesel |
Tarifa 75,64€ |
|
Agricultural tractors | ||
Description Diesel |
Tarifa 13,12€ |
All prices include the Spanish Traffic Agency Rate and VAT.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET MY VEHICLE TESTED? |
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Mopeds | ||
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1st Registration Less than 3 years More than 3 years |
Frequency Exempt 2 years |
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Private motorcycles, quadricycles and quads | ||
1st Registration Less than 4 years More than 4 years |
Frequency Exempt 2 years |
|
Private cars | ||
1st Registration Less than 4 years From 4 to 10 years More than 10 years |
Frequency Exempt 2 years 1 year |
|
Light vehicles | (Trucks and trailers up to 3,500 kg and car-derived vehicles) | |
1st Registration Less than 2 years From 2 to 6 years From 6 to 10 years More than 10 years |
Frequency Exempt 2 years 1 year 6 months |
|
Heavy goods vehicles | (Trucks and trailers over 3,500 kg.) | |
1st Registration Less than 10 years More than 10 years |
Frequency 1 year 6 months |
|
Buses | ||
1st Registration Less than 5 years More than 5 years |
Frequency 1 year 6 months |
|
Ambulances and public service | ||
1st Registration Less than 5 years More than 5 years |
Frequency 1 year 6 months |
|
Caravans > 750 kg MAM | ||
1st Registration Less than 6 years More than 6 years |
Frequency Exempt 2 years |
|
Agricultural vehicles | ||
1st Registration Less than 8 years From 8 to 16 years More than 16 years |
Frequency Exempt 2 years 1 year |
|
Motor caravans | ||
1st Registration Less than 4 years From 4 to 10 years More than 10 years |
Frequency Exempt 2 years 1 year |
|
Special Vehicle | (works and services ≥ 25km/h) | |
1st Registration Less than 4 years From 4 to 10 years More than 10 years |
Frequency Exempt 2 years 1 year |
THE PROCESS
Inspection request:
When you arrive at your local ITV station, you must first go to the offices with the vehicle's documentation, unlike a UK test you have to stay with your vehicle as several tests need to be performed with you in the car.
If you feel this is all a bit daunting, some garages will perform a pre-ITV test and take the car to the testing station for you, obviously for a fee, which will vary.
Updates 29th April 2023 - EXTRA testing criteria will be included in compulsory vehicle inspections from May 20 this year, although not everyone's cars will be affected.
Only for newer cars
The first of these is the requirement for ITV testing centres to check the eCall system is working properly.
This system was made compulsory for all cars newly registered from 2018 onwards, and is thought to have significantly cut the number of road deaths, since it is designed to send an automatic emergency service alert in the event of a crash.
Owners whose cars have an eCall system are expected to have these checked periodically in any case, so its inclusion in ITV tests now means not having to worry about arranging to do so unless they want to have it examined more often.
Cars registered in 2017 or earlier do not have an eCall system as standard, so the new rules will not affect them.
The second change relates to the On-Board Fuel Consumption Meter (OBFCM), but is not a 'test' as such.
Instead, ITV stations will be required to collate anonymous data on how much fuel cars use, and covers petrol or diesel vehicles as well as electric, hybrid and hydrogen.
These data are found in the on-board diagnostics system serial port.
The above do not require any extra action or cost to the owner.
Changes from Tuesday June 1st 2021
Any fault in ABS braking systems will become a defect automatically subject to a fail, rather than a 'minor fault'.
'Minor' faults are issues drawn to the owner's attention during or immediately after the test, are not serious enough to result in a fail, but could lead to failure if they are not fixed by the time of the next test, depending upon their severity.
Until now, 'minor' faults would include a loose wing mirror or one that was hanging off; this is now a 'serious' fault, meaning the car will fail unless it is fixed first.
Pollution:
They will measure the levels of toxic emissions and, in the case of motorcycles and mopeds, noise levels to ensure they do not exceed established limits.
Lighting:
The headlight tester allows a review of the maintenance condition and setting of the vehicle lights to allow safe night driving.
External condition of the vehicle:
Checks will be performed on the maintenance condition of elements such as plates, mirrors etc...
Suspension:
Using the suspension inspection device we will inspect the efficiency, state and balance of the suspension while the vehicle is running.
Brakes:
Using the brake tester controller we'll inspect the balance of the brakes.
Clearance detectors:
Plates, these simulate the movement of the vehicle while running.
Pit:
The pit allows the tester to gain a detailed look at the axles, the chassis, the brakes, the steering and suspension of your vehicle.
Although oil and water levels and filters do not form an integral part of the test, the driver will be told if these are low or need to be replaced, and could fail if they are run dry or in a very bad condition – for many, the ITV acts as a useful complement to routine servicing.
End of the inspection:
Once the inspection has been completed, we'll go over the results with you. If it went favourably, we'll give our the report and ITV sticker, This sticker must be placed in the top right of your windscreen. If there are serious or very serious defects, we will tell you about them, the repairs required and when you should return.
If the car fails, the owner has up to 30 days to fix the defects and put it through the test again; the re-test fee is 50% of that of the initial test (this may vary), but after a failure and prior to passing a subsequent ITV, the car can only be driven to a garage or inspection centre.
Once you have a new ITV sticker put this in the upper right hand side of your window of your car or if there is no windscreen it must be displayed in a clearly visible place. Remove any old stickers as having multiple stickers is an offence.
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