Tighter ITV roadworthiness test requirements for cars imported from the UK to Spain

Brexit effects included in new ITV vehicle roadworthiness test regulations in Spain as of 1st June

As of 1st June 2021 modifications have been applied to the procedure by which motor vehicles in Spain are issued with their ITV roadworthiness certificates, affecting many aspects of the process including a Brexit-induced tightening of the requirements for cars imported from the UK.

Many of the modifications introduced are motivated by the need to incorporate the technological innovations in testing equipment and in vehicles themselves, according to the Asociación Española de Entidades Colaboradoras de la Administración en la Inspección Técnica de Vehículos (AECA-ITV), and the new rules include the following:

- The ITV is affected by Brexit in that vehicles from the UK which are registered in Spain are now coming from “third countries”, and as such all import procedures must be shown to have been followed.

- Any defect in ABS systems is now considered to be a serious problem rather than a minor one.

- If rear-view mirrors are found to be loose and in danger of becoming detached this is also considered a serious problem.

- If the vehicle permit (“permiso de circulación”) is not presented at the ITV testing centre it may be verified directly on the central DGT register.

- The finding of serious defects automatically leads to the failing of the test and the vehicle being banned from further road use except for its journey to a mechanic’s workshop.

- New hygiene and prevention measures are mandatory at all ITV testing stations in order to provide protection against coronavirus contagion for both staff and motorists.

- The structure of ITV-related fines is modified. Driving a vehicle on which the ITV certificate has expired implies a fine of 200 euros, whether the vehicle is actually on the road or is parked in a garage or on the street.

- Drivers found using their vehicle after it has failed the ITV are also liable to fines of 200 euros. Those guilty of this offence are obliged to repair the serious defects in their vehicle within two months and to use it only in order to take it for repairs.

- The fine for driving a failed vehicle is raised to 500 euros in cases where the defects in the vehicle are so serious that it should not be allowed to leave the testing centre except on a tow truck.

- The timescale for ITV testing remains similar. For cars, the first test should take place 4 years after the vehicle is registered, then every two years until it reaches ten years of age, then every 12 months.

- For motorcycles the first test is also after 4 years, then every two years indefinitely, while for mopeds the rules are the same except that the initial period of grace is reduced to only three years.