Spain ITV Renewal – A quick How-To guide for renewing your car’s ITV

If you own a car in Spain, eventually you’ll need to renew its roadworthiness certification (Spain ITV renewal).  Known as the M.O.T. in the United Kingdom, or the D.O.T. in the United States, the roadworthiness sticker is named ITV in Spain (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) .  Renewing ITV in Spain is actually very straightforward.  We provide complete instructions below specific to ITV Granada or Costa Tropical, but much of it applies the general process of renewing your ITV in Spain as well.

How to renew your vehicle ITV in Spain. Read more about the ITV Spain renewal on Almunecarinfo.com

What Is The ITV in Spain?

It is an inspection of your vehicle to make sure it meets the roadworthiness standards established in Spain.  It is compulsory, and if you drive a vehicle without the proper ITV certificate, expect fines, and even the confiscation of your driver’s licence.  The government website, ITV.com.es, is a good place to start if you have questions.  You’ll be able to find your nearest station, and all of the requirements.

This article details the requirements and items necessary for ITV Spain renewal for a vehicle that is already registered in Spain.  If you’re bringing in a new vehicle from a country outside of Spain, the process is more involved, and outside the scope of this article.

ITV Renewal - A quick How-To guide for renewing your car's ITV

How Often Should I Renew ITV in Spain?

The ITV Spain website above explains the renewal timeframes, but generally, they are:

  • Cars that are new are tested after four years, and then need to be inspected every two years until the car is 10 years old.
  • Cars over 10 years old need to be inspected every year.
  • New mopeds, quads, and motorcycles are tested from 3-4 years, and then every two years until the age of 10.
  • Any car over the age of 10 is required to be inspected and tested every year.

If your vehicle falls outside those I listed above, check the ITV website for details specific to your situation.

View the ITV Frequency based on motor vehicle type.

itv frequency spain

Please check the official BOE Article 6 for the most current and up to date information on Frequency.

What Items Do I Need For ITV Renewal?

First and foremost, you need:

A vehicle in good working condition!  It may sound obvious, but it’s easy to overlook those “minor” things on your car that you keep meaning to fix.  Like those balding tires, or right headlamp that isn’t as bright as it used to be.  The inspector will be examining the following items:

  • Emissions
  • Tire tread
  • Lights and Lighting
  • Brakes
  • Steering
  • Wheel Alignment
  • Shock Absorbers

Before you have your car inspected, make sure everything is working properly.  If you are unable to make the repairs yourself, talk to your local car mechanic, explain that you are renewing ITV, and they’ll know exactly what to do.  Some mechanics offer a service where they will not only get your car ready for inspection, but they’ll take the car to the ITV station for you for a fee.  If that’s something that interests you, ask.

What Is The Cost Of ITV Renewal Spain?

The cost of the renewal depends on the type/size of vehicle, and can vary between provinces.  Here in Andalucía, the ITV stations are run by a private company called Veiasa.  They have a wealth of information on their website that mirrors the government ITV website.  In terms of the cost of ITV renewal, the following site can tell you the cost of renewing:

http://www.veiasa.es/itv/tarifas

Once there, click on the icon of the type of vehicle that you own, and you’ll be shown those fees.  It’s pretty simple.

What Documentation Do I Need?

You will need to provide the following documents for the ITV inspection:

  • The Inspecciones Técnicas or technical sheet (typically blue sheet, for newer cars it will be a white sheet)
  • The Permiso de Circulación (the green sheet)permiso-de-circulacion-itv-renewal
  • The compulsory vehicle insurance card or last payment receipt

You may also need to provide some sort of ID (NIE, etc.).

What Is The Process?

Here in Almuñécar, the process is very straightforward, and the following list should get you started:

  1. Know when your ITV renewal in Spain needs to be done.  It will be listed on the Permiso de Circulación under the matriculation date (Letter I).  For new cars, your first renewal will be required four years after that date.  Used cars will be two years from the last ITV inspection which is listed on the Inspecciones Técnicas.
  2. Schedule your ITV inspection via phone or the ITV Cita website (https://www.itvcita.com).  It’s very easy.  Just specify your matriculation (license plate) and the last 6 digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (listed on both the Permiso de Circulación and Inspecciones Técnicas).  If you need to get your car repaired or inspected by a mechanic before the ITV inspection, give yourself some lead time before the ITV inspection.  Schedule your inspection early in the day if possible.  (I explain why at the end of this post.)
  3. On the day of your inspection, go to the ITV station in Motríl.  It’s very easy to get there.  Take the N-340 to Motríl, and take the last exit of the third roundabout.  The building is located on the right side, and is well-marked.
  4. Go inside the building (sorry — the taking of pictures or video inside is prohibited), and walk up to one of the kiosks.  Enter your license plate number, and the machine will spit out a ticket.ITV-Motril-Building-2-itv-renewal
  5. When there is a person available to assist you, your ticket number will show up on the screen.
  6. Pay your fees, and then wait outside.
  7. Outside is a large display showing the vehicles, and the inspection lane.ITV-Motril-Inspection-Queue-itv-renewal
  8. When you see your license plate listed, drive to the appropriate lane.ITV-Inspection-Bay-itv-renewal
  9. (Once again, no pictures/video allowed). Follow the instructions given to you by the inspector.  The inspector will tell you to turn on/off your vehicle, turn on the lights (low/high beam, fog lights, emergency lights), sound your horn, etc.
  10. If you pass, then you’ll be given your paperwork back, and the much-coveted ITV sticker, and you can be on your way.
  11. Clean the upper-right part of your windscreen/windshield, and affix the sticker (on the inside of course).

What If My Vehicle Failed The ITV Inspection?

If you failed the inspection, you’ll be given back your documentation, and the sheet will have a stamp with the word “Disfavorable”.  It means unfavorable, but it will also tell you the reasons of the failure.  They don’t have time to explain the faults, but the information they provided you will tell you exactly what needs to be remediated.

You have a set amount of time to return to the ITV station for another test, assuming you have all of the failed items fixed.  If you are able to fix the items the same day, you can bring your vehicle back, and have it tested again without charge.  (That is why I suggested you schedule your ITV inspection early in the day, instead of at the end of the day.)

If you can’t get the items fixed by the end of the day, but fixed within 15 days, you will usually be given a discount on the next ITV inspection.  After 15 days, you’ll be charged the full amount.

Read all of the info here about what happens if you don’t pass ITV (negative or unfavorable).

Conclusion for your ITV Spain Renewal

The entire process is very well laid-out, and was very efficient.  Remember the following websites can help you prepare for your ITV renewal Spain:

ITV Motril – Estación ITV Motril

Please visit our directory listing for exact location, hours, phone, email, map and more information to renew your ITV Granada or in Costa Tropical.

[sc name=”restaurant”]
[sc name=”to-do”]
[sc name=”ad”]

Heidi

View posts by Heidi
Heidi is passionate about travel (50+ countries) and loves experiencing the world with husband and their kids. In Aug 2012, they left the “perfect American life”, quit their jobs, sold their belongings and moved to Almuñécar. She likes to share all of her favorites things about the area, as well as practical information too. You may also view their family travel blog, Wagoners Abroad, at https://wagonersabroad.com

19 Comments

  1. Just got back from ITV and on emissions test we pissed the guy off as told to take to 4k revs then 3k but did not know was to hold those revs.

  2. if i cannot get an appointment b4 the ITV ends and have an appointment 5 days after it expires can i still drive my car as i have an appointment..

  3. Hello i have a spanish plated vehicle in spain and because of the virus i cannot get over there to renew my I T V which will expire in 14 days can you please tell me if there are problems in getting this done later.

    1. You would need to contact your local ITV, which I believe are currently closed. If so, the likely have flexibility, but you need to check with your insurance too. Read this article.

  4. I had an ITV test in Mijas today according to the tester it passed but there is a small fault. According to the result sheet my front number plate needs to be replaced and they say i have 2 months to sort it. Do i have to make a new appointment and pay a new fee. The tester gave me a new sticker. Thank You.Patrick

    1. From what we understand You are allowed one month to return to the test center with all failures fixed. If you can get them done and return on the same day, you will not be charged again. This is what we have done and I don’t recall us making a second appointment, so the sooner the better. If you return within 15 days you are likely to be given a discount on the previous test price. If you fail to return within this period you will be charged the full test fee again.

  5. Hello Heidi. they told me on the sheet that my front number plate has to be changed to a new one and they have said on the sheet i have 2 months (dos meses) to fix it. i cannot find anything about 2 months anywhere . have you?

    1. I am seeing 2 months on this post. I think we went back right away, so that is why I didn’t remember. Or perhaps they are allowing more time due to covid? We will update the post to include this link.

  6. thank you for that info. I have a new sticker 2021 the car has passed the test , I think the number plate is very minor problem it is very slightly bent on one corner. Before the next test i will show the report to the Spanish Mechanic who speaks good English and he will fix it, by the way I am from Ireland.

  7. When I went to start my friend’s car (he lives in Britain and has not returned to his apartment here in Jerez for a year) I noticed that the car does not have an ITV sticker. He was not aware of the requirement to take the test and it has never had one since new in 2008!
    If I book a test and take it in what will happen? None of my Spanish friends have come across this!

    1. Paul,

      If it’s over 10 years since requiring an ITV, I’m not sure what they’ll do. Assuming the car passes ITV, I would imagine things would be OK. I don’t know if any sort of fine will be levied. If it doesn’t pass ITV inspection, under normal circumstances I think you have 15 days to get the car fixed and to return with no additional charge. However, since there is no ITV sticker, I don’t know if they have the authority to seize the car or prevent it from being driven.

      This is new territory for me. Good luck though!

  8. Hello, can my car be taken for an ITV a month before it runs out like the in the Uk and get 13 moths ITV ?

Leave a comment