Shorouk Express
If you plan on driving in Spain and buying a car here, you will need to know all about the ITV rest for your vehicle, from when to get it to how much it costs.
Q: What is the ITV test?
A: ITV stands for Inspección Técnica de Vehículos (Vehicle Technical Inspection) and is the test carried out on your car that shows it’s safe to drive on the road. It’s the equivalent of an MOT in the UK and the vehicle safety inspections carried out in some parts of the US and other countries.
It is estimated that between 10 and 24 percent of traffic accidents are due to mechanical failures and this can be drastically reduced when checks are carried out.
Q: When do I need to take my car in for its test?
A: Unlike in the UK, you don’t need to get the ITV test done every year. The frequency with which you need to do it depends on how old your car is.
Cars less than four years old don’t need an ITV test.
Cars between four and ten years old are tested every two years.
Cars that are older than ten years old need to be tested every year.
You can take the test up to 30 calendar days before its expiration date. Successive inspections will be noted on your inspection card and the report.
READ ALSO: What changes for drivers in Spain in 2025
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Q: How do I book the test?
A: You will need to book an appointment online first. The website where can you book is different for each region, you can find it by Googling ‘Cita previa ITV’ and then your region. This is the site for Andalusia www.itvcita.com for example.
You will be able to select the location, date and time to take your car in.
There are only a handful of small towns throughout the country that don’t require you to make an appointment first, so it’s best to make one whenever you live.
Q: What do I need to consider before booking my car in for a test?
A: Before requesting a technical inspection appointment, check that your vehicle has valid insurance and check the following:
That the lights work
The windshield wiper condition and washer fluid level
Tire condition
Condition of the rearview mirrors
Condition of the seat belts and if they work well
Condition of the seats
Condition of the windows
Condition of the bumpers
That the doors open and close without issue
That the licence plates are secure
The engine oil level is topped u
Bleed the exhaust system
If any of these are not working properly your car could fail, so you should get them fixed at your local garage first.
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Q: How much does the ITV test cost?
A: The test has a different price depending on the type of your vehicle and where you live in the country. For gasoline vehicles in 2025, the Balearic Islands has the lowest fee at €17.01, while in Ceuta it’s €42.87. Andalusia, will also give a 10 percent discount for those who pass the ITV before the expiration date.
For diesel vehicles Asturias and Extremadura are the cheapest places at €29.38 and €29.25, respectively, while Ceuta stands out with the highest rate at €50.85.
For electric vehicles in the Basque Country or Castilla y León it ranges between €13.14 and €37.64. In most regions though the cost is similar to the prices for gasoline passenger cars.
Q: What documentation do I need to take?
A: You will need to bring your circulation permit and the vehicle technical inspection card, as well as your driving insurance. If you’re re-doing your test, you will also need to bring a copy of the work carried out by your garage as well as their company name and CIF (tax ID number).
Q: What should I do if my car doesn’t pass?
A: If you don’t pass the ITV inspection first time, you can take your report and go to a local garage to get the issues fixed. You then need to reapply for an appointment and go through the test again. You must reapply within two months and during this time you cannot drive except to return to the ITV station for a new ITV inspection.
