ITV Test Service
in Malaga
If you live in the Malaga area and would like to use our ITV service from only €50, then contact us for more information.
How to Take an ITV Test in Spain
The ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) in Spain is known as an MOT in the UK. It checks your vehicles roadworthiness. Taking an ITV test in Spain can be quite a daunting experience for foreigners, especially if it’s your first time. We have made a guide below with helpful vocabulary to help you navigate this process. If you live in the Malaga area and would like to use our ITV service then contact us for more information.
ITV Test Guide
Here’s a simple guide on how to take your ITV test in Spain.
(This is for tests at Malaga ITV centres but most of it applies to the ITV renewal process in the whole of Spain).
ITV Appointment
Make an appointment at your closest ITV centre.
a) Add Matricula (Licence plate number). Select ‘Fecha Matriculacion’ (Registration date) from the drop down box.
You can find this in the B column of your Permsio de Circulacion (logbook).
b) On the next page just click ‘SIGUIENTE’.
c) Next choose the station you want and the date and time. Add personal details.
d) You can pay in advance with a card on the next page (ITV stations only accept payment by card – no cash).
Click FINALIZAR and that’s it. You’ve booked the appointment. That’s the simple part.
Pre-ITV Inspection
Before you attend your ITV appointment, make sure your car is in good working order. This pretty much goes for any country and Spain is no different, although in my experience they are less strict than the UK. The ITV inspector checks the following things:
- Lights
- Emissions
- Horn
- Windscreen wipers and fluid
- Tires
- Wheel alignment
- Brakes
- Shock absorbers
If you are unsure about any of those items it is best to get a mechanic to do a check before you go for the ITV.
ITV Test Service
Documentation
Documentation needed can vary depending on which centre you go to. In Malaga, it is usually not needed (more below). However, other stations may not be like this so the following documents need to be shown.
- Ficha Técnica or Inspecciones Técnicas (Technical sheet). For older cars it will be a blue sheet and for newer cars it is white.
- Permiso de Circulación (logbook). The green card.
- Proof of car insurance payment.
- Some centres may ask for ID.
The Process
When you enter the ITV centre go to one of the computer screens and enter your licence plate number. In Malaga if there are no problems you will then be shown how much to pay and you pay by card (if you haven’t pre-paid). You then receive a ticket that says go straight to the line. You wait outside and look at the large display until your number comes up and you see which line to go to.
If there is a problem or maybe in other regions, you will be given a ticket and you wait for one of the assistants. You then show them your documents, pay and wait outside. Once your number comes up you drive to the designated lane and follow the instructions given you by the inspector. Useful vocab below.
The order may change in other regions but generally the checks go as follows:
- Car functions – lights, horn, wipers, indicators, belts etc.
- Open boot and check oil etc.
Next they will ask you (or sometimes they do it themselves) to rev the engine and keep it about 2500 rpm to check the emissions.
Then they ask you to drive forward onto a machine. They will ask you to push the brake and keep the mark in the yellow on a screen. Then when finished, apply the handbrake slowly. You then drive forward so your back wheels are on the machine and repeat.
Then you drive over a bay and they check your brakes, shock absorbers etc. They will put a walkie talkie on your window and bark barely audible instructions at you 😂. Basically, they are asking you to move the steering wheel and press the brakes.
After The Test
Once this ordeal is over they ask you to move the car outside and wait. After a while they come and give you your ficha back and a little sticker (if you passed) and your ITV certificate. You put the sticker in the top right corner of the windscreen and drive off with a sigh of relief.
Necessary Documentation
Documentation needed can vary depending on which centre you go to. In Malaga, it is usually not needed (more below). However, other stations may not be like this so the following documents need to be shown.
- Ficha Técnica or Inspecciones Técnicas (Technical sheet). For older cars it will be a blue sheet and for newer cars it is white.
- Permiso de Circulación (logbook). The green card.
- Proof of car insurance payment.
- Some centres may ask for ID.
What happens if my car fails its ITV test?
If your car doesn’t pass the ITV test, the inspector won’t give you a little sticker and may explain what it failed on. If not then the reasons are displayed on the test sheet. ‘Grave’ means serious and this will be what needs fixing. You are given one month to get the failures fixed and return. You won’t be charged for the re-test.
If you have any doubts about passing it is a good idea to book the test well before the ITV expiry date. You can book a test up to a month before and it doesn’t affect your renewal date. This way if it fails you can still ‘technically’ drive it to get it repaired.
Useful ITV Vocabulary
Here is some vocabulary that can help you when getting your ITV test.
- Indicators – Intermitente
- Hazards – Cuatro intermitentes/luces intermitentes
- Headlights – Luces/faros
- Brake lights – Luces de los frenos
- Back lights – Luces traseras
- Fog lights – Faros antiniebla
- Reverse lights – Marcha atras
- Hand brake – Freno de mano
- Left – Izquierda
- Right – Derecha
- Reverse – Marcha atras/atras
- Steering wheel – Volante
- Seat belt – Cinturón
- Windscreen wipers – Limpia para brisas
- Move the steering wheel – Mueva el volante
Hopefully this will help you when you take your vehicle for its ITV test. If your Spanish isn’t up to par or you get a feeling of dread at the thought of an ITV test. Contact us at info@simpleenglishadvice.com or 951 74 51 68 if you live in or around Malaga West and we can take it for you. We can also provide you with temporary plates if necessary.
If you have just bought the vehicle we also do car ownership transfers for €60 (plus official fees).
Complete List of ITV Defect Codes
Here is a complete list of the ITV report defects (defectos) or faults codes and meanings.
| Type of defect | Code | Reason for the defect |
|---|---|---|
| (01) Vehicle identification | 01.01 | Documentation |
| 01.02 | VIN Number | |
| 01.03 | Number plates | |
| (02) Exterior condition, bodywork and chassis | 02.01 | Front underride |
| 02.02 | Body and chassis | |
| 02.03 | Coupling devices (Towbar) | |
| 02.04 | Mudguards and anti-spray devices | |
| 02.05 | Windshield wipers and washers | |
| 02.06 | Side protections | |
| 02.07 | Rear protections | |
| 02.08 | Doors and steps | |
| 02.09 | Mirrors | |
| 02.10 | Signs on vehicles | |
| 02.11 | Outer spare wheel carrier | |
| 02.12 | Safety glass | |
| (03) Interior condition | 03.01 | Seats and their anchors |
| 03.02 | Safety belts and their anchorages | |
| 03.03 | Child restraint device | |
| 03.04 | Anti-frost and anti-fog | |
| 03.05 | Anti-theft and alarm | |
| 03.06 | Direct field of vision | |
| 03.07 | Load retention devices | |
| 03.08 | Speed indicator (Odometer) | |
| 03.09 | Internal protrusions | |
| (04) Lighting and signalling | 04.01 | Low beam and high beam |
| 04.02 | Reversing lights | |
| 04.03 | Indicator lights (turn signals) | |
| 04.04 | Emergency Signal | |
| 04.05 | Brake lights | |
| 04.06 | Rear license plate light | |
| 04.07 | Side lights | |
| 04.08 | Fog lights | |
| 04.09 | Clearance light | |
| 04.10 | Retro-reflectors | |
| 04.11 | Indoor lighting | |
| 04.12 | Acoustic warning | |
| 04.13 | Parking light | |
| 04.14 | Door opening signaling | |
| 04.15 | Specific light signaling | |
| (05) Polluting emissions and noise | 05.01 | Noise |
| 05.02 | Spark ignition engine vehicles | |
| 05.03 | Vehicles with compression ignition engine | |
| (06) Brakes | 06.01 | Service brake |
| 06.02 | Secondary (emergency) brake | |
| 06.03 | Parking break (Hand break) | |
| 06.04 | Overrun brake | |
| 06.05 | Anti-lock device | |
| 06.06 | Deceleration device | |
| 06.07 | Brake device pedal | |
| 06.08 | Vacuum pump or compressor and tanks | |
| 06.09 | Low pressure indicator | |
| 06.10 | Handbrake regulating valve | |
| 06.11 | Braking valves | |
| 06.12 | Accumulator or pressure tank | |
| 06.13 | Trailer Brake Attachment | |
| 06.14 | Brake booster. Master cylinder (hydraulic systems) | |
| 06.15 | Rigid tubes | |
| 06.16 | Flexible tubes | |
| 06.17 | Linings | |
| 06.18 | Drums and/or disks | |
| 06.19 | Cables, rods, levers, connections | |
| 06.20 | Brake system cylinders | |
| 06.21 | Load sensing valve | |
| 06.22 | Automatic slack adjusters | |
| (07) Steering and direction | 07.01 | Wheels deviation |
| 07.02 | Steering wheel and column | |
| 07.03 | Steering box | |
| 07.04 | Steering wheel and ball joints | |
| 07.05 | Power steering | |
| (08) Axles, wheels, tires and suspension | 08.01 | Axels |
| 08.02 | Wheels | |
| 08.03 | Tires | |
| 08.04 | Suspension | |
| (09) Engine and transmission | 09.01 | General condition of the engine |
| 09.02 | Admision system | |
| 09.03 | Exhaust system | |
| 09.04 | Transmission | |
| 09.05 | Vehicles that use gas (LPG) as fuel | |
| (10) Other | 10.01 | Transport of dangerous goods |
| 10.02 | Transport of perishable goods | |
| 10.03 | School and minor transportation | |
| 10.04 | Tachograph | |
| 10.05 | Speed limiter | |
| 10.06 | Unauthorized reforms or modifications | |
Source: https://itv.com.es/