ITV in Marbella

by Marbella Family
(Marbella)

If you're looking for the new ITV station in San Pedro, click here. Read on for helpful hints...

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Today I had an appointment for my car at the ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos). It is the equivalent of an MOT in the UK or the DOT in the US. I remember the first time I had to go for the ITV inspection and was a bit lost as it is all conducted in Spanish and at the time my Spanish was not very good. I was really nervous and not sure what to expect, so I hope that I can maybe clarify things for you for when you go.

First of all, an ITV is basically an inspection of your car to make sure that it passes all the requirements so that you don´t have an accident and everyone respects the quality of the environment. ITV tests need to be made at an authorized garage and so far, if you live in Marbella, you must go to Estepona. Plans are already underway for an ITV center in San Pedro that is due to open in 2011.

It is important to remember that it is illegal to drive a car without an updated ITV certificate. All cars must have the ITV sticker posted on the top right hand corner of the car windshield.


When do I need to go for an ITV test?

* No inspections are necessary on new cars until it turns four years old, in which case it must be inspected every two years until it reaches ten years old.

* Ten year old cars and older must be tested every year.

* If your car has been in an accident, you must have the ITV inspect it after the repair.

* What to do if you are late for the ITV test

How much does it cost?

The price of an ITV test varies in each province. Today I paid ?36.70. If you don´t pass the test then you don´t have to pay again. Just make another appointment after you have fixed any problems.


How do I take the test?

First of all, you should probably go to your nearest garage and take a Pre-ITV test. This is a chance to fix any problems before you take the test. I go to the BP Lube plus station in San Pedro (Urb. Las Medranas, calle del P.A.S.P.) which is just behind the BP gas station off the road to Ronda. The pre-ITV test is 35 euros and can be made in a couple of hours. I really recommend doing this, because today I didn´t pass my ITV test. I forgot to do the pre-ITV and I was not passed, because the gases in my car were too high. My car is now sitting at the BP station to fix this problem and I will try again tomorrow. You do not need to make an appointment for your car to have a pre-ITV inspection at the BP station unless you really are in a time constraint and need your car back in a few hours.

Next, you should make an appointment for the test. Call 902 575 757 for Malaga province. I am not sure if they speak in English (I doubt it), so be prepared with your Spanish. You will be asked which ITV station you need (Estepona if you live in Marbella or San Pedro). Then you will be asked the license plate number of your vehicle and if you are making an appointment for a car or motorcycle. Next, you will be given a date and time. They are sometimes flexible and you can always try to ask for a specific time and date that is suitable for you. The opening hours of the ITV are really long (Mon-Fri 7am-9pm; Sat 8am-1pm with no break), so you should find a time that you like.

You can just drop in and try to squeeze in, but I don´t recommend it. I saw a few people sitting at the ITV today bored to death. But you can, if you must. Try getting there by 7:00am if you do.

Once you get to the ITV garage you will need to step into their office and pay the fee and show your vehicle registration document (permiso de circulación) and technical papers (ficha technico) . They will then give you a receipt with a time more or less the one you asked for. You will then need to wait outside and listen for your car model and license plate number. You will then be instructed to go to Lane 1 or Lane 2.

Once you are in the lane you will be asked to stay in your car while the inspector checks your seat belts (you´ll be asked to put your own on), windshield wipers, and switch on and off your lights (high beams, low beams, fog, indicators, emergency lights, turn on all four lights- and brake) which will be checked in front and rear.

Here are a list of words that will help you understand what to do. Keep in mind that there are several ways to say the same thing, but these are the words that I recall the inspector using today:

"cinturon" - seat belt

"limpiabrisas" - windshield wipers

"enciende los luces" - switch on the lights

"apaga los luces" - turn off the lights

"luces antinieblas" - fog lights

"intermitentes" - direction indicator lights, blinkers

"los cuatro luces" - emergency lights, literally turn on all four lights


You will then be asked to move your car forward to a space where your front tires roll onto a special device and over an open space that will test your wheel alignment, shock absorbers and brakes. The inspector goes down some stairs and will speak to you over a speaker. This is a real challenge if you don´t speak Spanish well. You´ll have to strain your ears to hear what he asking you to do.

You will be asked to put the car in park and turn the steering wheel back and forth quickly. Then you will be asked to put the car in neutral and slowly press on the brakes as hard as you can.

After, you will move your back tires onto the device and more or less asked to do the same. Here are some helpful words:

"Arranca el coche" - Turn on the car

"Pon el coche en N" - Put the car in N (for neutral)

"Avanza" - move forward

"frena" - brake (command)

"pon los frenos" - put on the brakes

"freno de mano" - emergency brakes

"volante" - steering wheel

"gira el volante" - turn the steering wheel

Your car will also be checked for any damages in the body as well as if your mirrors and doors are working properly.

You will then asked to move the car forward once again and be asked to step out. The inspector hooks up a tube to your exhaust pipe and accelerates the car to check for gas emissions. This is where I failed. So make sure to get your pre-ITV check done BEFORE you make an appointment. That way, if there is anything that needs to be fixed and may take some time you will be ready for it.


What if I don´t pass the test?

If you don´t pass, then you will be given a paper with a list of the problems that were found. You will then have two months to make the repairs and pass the test again.

I didn´t pass the test and was told that I don´t have to pay when I come back, however some people say that you will be given a 50% discount on the test if you return within 15 days. Ask before you go to make sure. If you don´t retest your car within two months the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico will be notified and your car will lose its registration.


What do I do after I pass?

You will be asked to park your car in the parking lot ahead and wait. You will be given an ITV card with the results of your test as well as a sticker of proof that must be displayed on the top right hand corner of your car. The sticker will show the month and year of your next test.


What if I have a foreign car?

Cars that are imported to Spain must pass a Spanish ITV test before it can be registered. You will have six months to do it after bringing the car to Spain. If your car remains in Spain for more than six months you must register it with Spanish plates. It is illegal otherwise and your car may be confiscated. I know of someone who got caught with her British plates and had to spend a fortune on a rental car for several months while her car was being registered.

Remember, if your car is not road worthy and not issued an ITV certificate, your insurance may be null and void if you get into an accident.

Where in Estepona is the ITV located?

The ITV in Estepona is located in the "Poligono Industrial" (industrial park) just off the Costa del Sol highway (A-7). The address is:

POLÍGONO ESTEPONA - CALLE GRAHAM BELL, 15
TEL: 902 575 757

I found a link on Google Maps here