The ITV Explained: Getting Your UK Car Through Its Spanish Inspection
Every imported car must pass a Spanish technical inspection, the ITV, before it can be registered. For a UK car, the main hurdle is usually the headlamps, which need to be set up for driving on the right.
What is the ITV?
The ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) is Spain's equivalent of the MOT. For an imported car, the first ITV is a more thorough import inspection. It checks that the car matches its documents and meets Spanish and European technical standards, and a successful inspection leads to a Spanish technical card, the ficha técnica, which is needed for registration.
Type approval and the Certificate of Conformity
To be registered in Spain, a car must meet European type approval requirements. The DGT warns that a car from outside the EU needs extra adaptation and paperwork if it does not meet Euro 6 emissions standards (Euro 5 for some vans) or has no European Certificate of Conformity (CoC).
If your car has a valid CoC or European type approval, the process is usually straightforward: an engineer prepares a short technical report, the ficha técnica reducida, and the car goes to the ITV. If it does not, it may need an individual homologation by an approved laboratory, which is more complex and more expensive. We will tell you which applies to your car when we prepare your quote.
What may need changing on a right-hand-drive car
Right-hand-drive cars are perfectly legal in Spain, but a few things often need attention before the import ITV.
The headlamps are the most important point. UK dipped beams throw light to the left, towards the kerb, so for the import ITV they must be replaced or adjusted for driving on the right. Beam deflector stickers are fine for the journey and a short stay, but they are not a permanent fix and will not get the car through.
The rear fog light is another common issue. On UK cars it is usually on the right-hand side, but Spanish rules require it on the left or in the centre, so it may need moving or rewiring.
The speedometer should show kilometres per hour as its main unit. Many modern UK cars already do, or can be switched in the settings. Tyres must match the sizes and ratings in the technical documents and carry the European approval mark, and any modifications must be documented and approved.
How often is the ITV needed afterwards?
Once your car is registered, Royal Decree 920/2017 sets the inspection schedule for private cars. They are exempt for their first four years, then need an ITV every two years until they are ten years old, and every year after that. Age is counted from the date of first registration, so an imported car that is already several years old goes straight onto the right cycle.
We will get your car ready
We can arrange the technical report, advise on any changes your car needs and book the import ITV as part of our registration service. Email info@costa-cargo.com or call us in the UK on +44 7938 751 790 or in Spain on +34 711 022 816.
This guide is general guidance only. Technical requirements vary between vehicles, so please contact us for advice on your own car.
