Spanish ITV
 

I'm due to take my English car for an ITV (the Spanish equivalent of an MOT) soon - I'm feeling a bit nervous as I haven't done this before and my Spanish is still in it's infancy.

Is this a major challenge? I know people offer to take your car and do it for you so many people must also be put off from doing this themselves.

Is it straightforward or a nightmare!

Thanks

Mark

Re: Spanish ITV
 

Last month I used the local ITV station, here in Malaga, with no problems at all. I suggest you get there as early as possible to avoid the rush. Take your paperwork for the vehicle and check in at the office. I recall I paid around 35 euros. They then allocate you a line to join with your vehicle and away you go.

If your Spanish is not up to the level required, no problems, as hand signals seem to work well. You remain in the car throughout the test. The whole thing from start to finish took me around an hour. They do seem to be pretty thorough.

After the inspection is complete I was given my stamped car document back and a sticker which you should attach to the windscreen.
Let us know how you get on !

Re: Spanish ITV
 

Just to confirm for you Meseta is quite correct, it is an easy process and if you do not speak Spanish hand signals will suffice, also if your car is under ten years old the ITV lasts for two years. :)

Re: Spanish ITV
 

Thats good to know .... I used to take my motorhome for MOT's in the UK and it was a nightmare as you couldn't hear what the examiners were saying to you in the busy testing shed. I was a bit worried about taking a car to ITV as my Spainsh isn't up to it yet!

Re: Spanish ITV
 

The good thing here is that it is a dedicated centre, Government run and hence you are not in the hands of the local MOT garage as in UK. So they do not rip you off with bogus problems. Also if a minor problem you have 14 days to sort and take it back and they retest free.
Very clean and an excellent test.

Re: Spanish ITV
 

Yes, the MOT for a motorhome in the UK over a certain weight limit has to go to the DOT testing station because of its size. They're used to dealing with commercial vehicles and therefore bark out instructions whilst you're sitting in the cab and get annoyed when you don't react! However you can't hear them due to the amount of trucks, vans and motorhomes lined up along side you.
I'll have more chance of understanding a Spaniard than I did them :)

Re: Spanish ITV
 

I have been told by an ex artic. driver that the ITV is very similar to the DOT ones in UK.
When we changed our number plates the cars were also measured despite having already having this done by the technico, would you believe it, (well it is Spain) they did not agree on measurement so the car failed until Snr Sancez got involved. Argued the point and low and behold we had our pass.
pwwm

Re: Spanish ITV
 

Well I think I'm going to have a bit of a nightmare, and might get a gestoria to arrange it. My cars a Japanese Import into the UK, and although it is EU certified I'm sure its going to cause a lot of head scratching and confusion.

I do know of a Spanish lady who got one in last year though in Calpe so I know it can be done

Re: Spanish ITV
 

Hi Mitzyboy

If you are looking for a straight ITV then it should be ok, but change to Spanish plates might be different. If this is what you are planning you will need a "special ITV" this is for cambio de matricula, but before the ITV you would need the car to be inspected by a "technico"

pwwm

Re: Spanish ITV
 

Yes I realised its not as strightforward as a normal one, thats why I'm probably going to use someone to arrange it all for me. The headlights have to be doctored as well as there are no such things as LHD lights for this car and deflectors don't work

Re: Spanish ITV
 

The advice here was very helpful with putting my mind at ease and I've now successfully been through the process.

It really wasn't too bad but I can understand why some people pay someone to take their car and get it done for them.

Firstly I went to Benidorm which is a big centre and I didn't understand part of what the lady was saying so in that regard it was confusing.

Most importantly - I found they didn't do them on the day - you had to make a reservation so that was half the day wasted as I had to go back the next day.

I actually went to a smaller centre the next day and as the centre was a portacabin and something resembling a cow shed it was obvious what to do and less intimidating.

In hindsight the process is really very straightforward but some basic Spanish is necessary.

Mark

Re: Spanish ITV
 

Hi GCM

Glad you found it relatively easy, I agree re basic Spanish or at least have a good dictionary with you.

Defintely not worth paying for someone to do for you.

:)

Re: Spanish ITV
 

why are you taking your ENGLISH car for an ITV ??

for an english car to be legal in spain it must be legal in its home country.

an ITV is a WASTE OF MONEY. it means NOTHING.

Re: Spanish ITV
 

I agree. But maybe it has already been put onto Spanish plates, being the former car used in England ? :) If it is still on English plates, then it should conform to the registration rules of the country it is registered in. These are clear enough. A brief look at the following sites can help:
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/
http://www.vosa.gov.uk/

Re: Spanish ITV
 

I think you have misread the posts, we have been talking about change of Matricula ie number plates. Yes we have English cars or at least they were, both now on Spanish plates and legal. Even then they were both imports to UK prior to us buying them.

I agree that ITV is a waste of time on a British plated car and have posted as such elsewhere.It is a courtesy nothing else.

pwwm

Re: Spanish ITV
 

no, i think that you have misread actually. the first post on this thread, is thus - where have i misread ?? this is an english plated car being taken for ITV..

Re: Spanish ITV
 

It may well have been a waste of time and money getting the ITV on my English plated car but I was told by the insurance broker that I didn't have to take the car back to the UK for it's MOT if I got an ITV (big money saving as well as time).

To me all that matters is that the insurance is valid in case of an accident.

The car is worthless but valuable in that it has been brilliant and is a working car. I've now got time to shop around for a Spanish car, if in the meantime it is seized then I don't care too much.

Mark

Re: Spanish ITV
 

I cant believe an ins agent could say that, cos a car has to be legal in the country of registration.
That means in your case an up to date UK MOT and road tax.
You will have a job getting a payout on any claim without it.

How did the headlights pass in an ITV ?

Re: Spanish ITV
 

friends of ours took their car for the ITV to change plates and had not changed the headlights, we could not believe that they did not think about that, needless to say the car did not pass.
Has now and driving on Spanish plates, got headlight from an excellent breakers in Motril.
pwwm

Re: Spanish ITV
 

I think that kind of advice from a so called 'insurance broker' is reprehensible. Presumably the advice was not from a professioanl broker but a money grabbing agent for an insurer.And presumably the advice was given orally and you don't have any written confirmation !

It seems to me that if you choose to insure your car for Third Party only and are not bothered about Own damage then there is an unfortunate tendency amongst foreigners living in Spain to forego the rules and to pay little regard to taking the trouble to switch plates and conform. I think this must be caused by many different reasons.
Maybe it's the extra time and trouble in switching from UK to Spanish plates. but is it really that much trouble?
Maybe it's the expense but is it that costly ?
Or maybe it's the stubborness of the Brit abroad who says - if the trafico people don't speak english and don't make it easy for me to re-register, then why should I bother. Two fingers to them. Let's go for another beer lads.

It would be very interesting to know what the insurance underwriter actually says and what the policy actually says. And it would be very interesting to know if your 'broker' gave you this information IN WRITING !

Re: Spanish ITV
 

thank god you said all that nigel, i normally get shouted at for saying things like that on the andalucia.com forum.

i´d LOVE to see something IN writing and perhaps STAMPED by head office that says a spanish ITV on an english plated car would be sufficient in an acident to get paid out. if that was the case i would not bother changing the plates on my cars and continue to drive uk plated!

Re: Spanish ITV
 

I'm afraid to say that it seems to me from what I've seen posted on various forums that its turning into a sport to see how many things you can get away with in Spain without adhering to the laws of the land.

That applies to taxes, cars etc etc.

To the best of my knowledge your car has to be legal in its country of registration.

This is a few years old, but includes a section on driving a car on british plates in Spain and other interesting bits and pieces of info

http://costablancaexpats.net/pats/trafico.txt

Re: Spanish ITV
 

Must be something in your attitude if you get shouted at on all the forums you have joined, maybe you should chill out a little and stop being so aggressive, politeness is something you should have learnt at school, it really helps the world go round.
Had you answered as succinctly and clearly as Nige, no-one would have shouted
Best regards
Kevray

Mitzy, yet again the master has given invaluable information, thanks for the link, very useful.
Have to agree with your statement
Your average beer swilling, union jack wearing, swearing loudly in public brit, living on the CDS who thinks its a game to "get away with it" and never mind the consequences or who it affects.

Re: Spanish ITV
 

lol its easy to say things like that from behind a computer screen isn´t it :D


whatever tho, you are probably right, respect the elders and all that shite... yes sir, no sir.. 3 bags full.

are you going to join the G&T on the terrace complaining about the UK brigade when you finally move to spain? ;)


back to the thread huh ? enough with the piss taking of my use of language. if you find my posts aggresive, dont read them.

it really amazes me how people who have not lived in spain continue to spout out "advice" on the forums online ... :(


back to the thread now huh. why do people insist on driving around in non-legal cars ? what makes "us" (and i use the term loosly) any different from the spanish ? why are "we" special? i think all brits should be made to change their plates on or before the 6 months is up.

Re: Spanish ITV
 

Mmmmm .... well I don't yet live in Spain although I own a place there and go there quite often. I've spent a lot of time collecting information over the last 24 months or so and I am more than happy, as are others, to share that information with other people who are just starting out on the road to living abroad. I feel I am qualified to do so, and rather than comment on anything I am not sure of I will go away and find out.

So frankly my friend your comment is ill thought out and pointlessly rude. You know nothing of other peoples knowledge bases or history and therefore are not in a position to comment accurately. I suggest you go back to contributing to the forum in a positive manner or alternatively just dont bother posting at all.

Oh .... and I'm not going to spoil other peoples enjoyment of this forum by getting into an online arguement with you. I've made my point and will comment no more ... the people on here will make their own judgement!

Re: Spanish ITV
 

Where did bfg69bug get aggressive in his post ? As far as I can see he was accused of misreading a post and just explained that he had not misread it. ;)

Re: Spanish ITV
 

Says it all do you not think :D

Re: Spanish ITV
 

jdr, thanks ;)

and kevray... what the hell are you talking about? how is that aggressive? i commented on something that would usually happen on another forum, were i to make a comment such as the one posted by Nige.


you lot really confuse me sometimes :confused: :confused: :confused:

can we get back to the thread please ? has anyone got a signed and stamped, LEGAL document saying that an ITV on an English plated vehicle is sufficient basis for car insurance in spain ???

Re: Spanish ITV
 

There is no way you will get paid out unless all the paperwork, ie: tax and mot in country of origin, is kosher, even then its hard work.
Ins co do not like paying out unless they really need to. ;)

Re: Spanish ITV
 

jdr, thats what i was thinking - any little loophole / fault / error and they will refuse anyways :) i was just wondering, the people on here that are saying that "yes, it IS legal" .. do they have any proof or is it just the opinon of the "bloke i met in the pub says its ok" ?

Re: Spanish ITV
 

It's clearly not legal (although it should between EU member states), but until European law changes ....
I'm about to embark on the process myself as I don't see that it is that difficult, or expensive. I will post again as I go through it. Step one, go to the ITV station and acquire necessary initial documentation (formulario de cambio/solicitud de matriculación) and chat to them about what is required, starts tomorrow.

The procedure I am following is this one as linked elsewhere, as it appears correct and up-to-date from what I know so far.

Location of ITV here and it looks like I can get the necessary guides downloaded here and form here.

Re: Spanish ITV
 

By April 2006 it will be almost impossible to import a right hand drive vehicle onto Spanish plates ! It is already impossible to import a right hand drive commercial vehicle.

i´ll not be bothering then, if this is true :)

Re: Spanish ITV
 

Where did you see this please? This has come up on another forum which worried me as I need to import a UK car. I had my solicitor check AND a Spanish friend in Spain and they both came back and said there is no truth to this rumour at all.

Re: Spanish ITV
 

Well looking through the lists of normativas in the DGT site I found no mention of any law, existing, or proposed that would indicate such a restriction.

Quite the contrary, in fact. This press release on their site indicates that European Directives standardising driving licenses (permiso de circulacion) and vehicle technical characteristics card (V5 equivalents, I believe) have come into force as from November, 2005.

The objectives of the European Directives are (as one would expect!):

1. Promote the free circulation of vehicles registered within the EU throughout all EU territories.
2. Standardisation of driver licensing to ensure control of permissions to drive specific classes of vehicles.
3. Ease the process of registering vehicles in any member state of vehicles previously registered in any other member state.
4. Secure the authenticity of documentation presented during the registration of any vehicle previously registered in other member states.

So ... done and done ... how about some references whenever anyone decides to post some scare-mongering stories, from now on :p It's really quite simple, EU law is clearly committed to removing barriers that prevent the free passage of EU citizens across member states, so why would a new barrier be erected ... particularly one that singles out and discriminates against a single member state - whether in current Spanish or EU law? The whole point of the EU is once you're in it, you're in it, for better or worse. Can you imagine how much more squabbling would be going on otherwise? :(

It seems common sense that once vehicle safety, etc. is standardised with the EU, why should re-registration even be required, long term? Ah, yes, so the hacienda can get hold of you :scared: :D

My references are all on the DGT site for all to read ;)

Re: Spanish ITV
 

ok, my scaremongering came from... YOUR POST !!!!! i was only reading what YOU referenced ! and YOU would know that if YOU had read it!

dont take the p*ss out of me unless you are really sure of yourself mate ;)

liknk is here - http://www.livespainforlife.co.uk/default.aspx?id=56 and where it was mentioned bfore, only 4 posts before this one...


;) i´m not scare mongering, you are mate ;)

Re: Spanish ITV
 

Blimey, take that chip off your shoulder and chill. No wonder you get shouted at in forums :D

Firstly, I did not specifically quote that paragraph from the link I gave - it had already been quoted here prior to my post(s). You re-quoted it and didn't assign any references to it and of course we were naturally curious to know where it had come from. It was a simple matter of posting the link back and then we could have seen that the source was also unsupported in its own source.

I hold about as much store in the quote, regarding prohibitions on import by April this year, on http://www.livespainforlife.co.uk/default.aspx?id=56 as reading elsewhere it without a source ;)

Secondly, you needn't take my posts so much to heart. They are not meant to be a direct attack on anyone in particular, unless I start naming names and you can be sure that I will be sure and you will be sure, if I have a problem with you, if I do. Anyone who has read my posts on this forum will know that I seek to clarify and not to scare-monger.

Finally, back to the topic in hand. It would seem fair then to say that http://www.livespainforlife.co.uk/default.aspx?id=56 is the source of this rumour, but since they do not quote a source for their information it needs to be taken with a very large pinch of salt, particularly if no other information has turned up to support it elsewhere.

Re: Spanish ITV
 

i dont like salt ;) lol.. no worries, i was just annoyed that it seemed that you were having a go at me, thats all. dont worry about it ;)

Re: Spanish ITV
 

Apologies if any insult was taken. It was late last night ;)

Re: Spanish ITV
 

It's true that the information was given by a broker, although a very well-known broker with many offices in Spain and it's true that the info. is verbal!

I think we can safely say from the replies that this procedure - getting a Spanish ITV on an English car does NOT make it in anyway legal here in Spain BUT I still argue - does it matter on a practical level?

The first issue is from an official one - the police - when they stop an English car which the owner has insured and ensured it is roadworthy in Spain - is there any action taken against and why or do they wave you on?

Secondly and for me the most important - the insurance company. I know I need to have this clarified in writing but there must be people with practical experience of this - do the insurance companies pay out?

As I keep saying - insurance companies insuring UK plated cars in Spain are Lloyds of London underwriters who can insure anything and anyone they choose to insure. They are fully aware that the drivers are living in Spain. They want the vehicle to be roadworthy - if they choose to accept the Spanish version instead of the English version then I say so what - the vehicle is running in Spain on Spanish roads anyway.

Mark

Re: Spanish ITV
 

I agree, in practical terms it should make no difference which EU member state certifies your car roadworthy (as I said in an earlier post), but that day is yet to come and all the barriers are yet to be lifted.

Another example, my UK insurance company covers me to drive any other vehicle, so long at is in the UK. For god's sake why not in Spain??? Ok, in reality I know why. They are worried about the additional costs that they would incurr assessing any accident, or claim, due to the language barrier and extra travelling expenses when they have to send an assessor over. It's going to take an EU directive to get them to swallow that.

In any case, back to the point in hand, will a Spanish insurer wriggle-out of settling a claim on a UK plated vehicle with Spanish ITV and insurance? I believe so, because they can. The vehicle is not legal and any insurance policy fine print will insist that the vehicle must be legal in the country of use.