What Is the ITV?
If you've recently moved to Spain — or you've been here a while and the letters on official envelopes make your head spin — the ITV is probably something you've heard about but aren't 100% sure how it works. Don't worry. We get questions about this all the time at Motorplus. So here's everything you need to know, written plainly, without the jargon.
Written by:
Published:
February 21, 20268 minITV stands for Inspección Técnica de Vehículos — basically Spain's equivalent of the UK's MOT, Ireland's NCT, or the US vehicle safety inspection. It's a mandatory roadworthiness check that every registered vehicle must pass at regular intervals.
Think of it as the government making sure your car isn't going to fall apart on the motorway. Fair enough, really.
The frequency depends on your vehicle's age:
💡 Tip: Don't wait until the exact date — you can do your ITV up to a month before the expiry without losing any time on your next cycle.
The inspector will go through a standardised checklist covering:
Drop your vehicle off before noon. We handle the rest. Drive home tonight with fresh oil, new filters, and zero stress.
The whole inspection takes about 30–45 minutes and costs roughly €35–€55 depending on your province and vehicle type.
Results come in three categories:
⚠️ Important: If you get an 'unfavorable' result, you cannot legally drive the vehicle except to go directly to a garage and then back to the ITV station. This is strictly enforced.
After seeing hundreds of vehicles come through before their ITV, we can tell you the usual culprits:
This is where it gets a bit more complex, and it's something we help a lot of clients with.
If you're a resident in Spain (registered on the padrón), you are legally required to re-register your vehicle on Spanish plates. The deadline is usually within 30–60 days of establishing residency — though in practice this is often longer than enforced.
Once re-registered, your vehicle will need an ITV like any other Spanish car. The age clock resets to the original registration date of the vehicle, not when you brought it to Spain.
📋 Note: UK vehicles are increasingly being flagged at ITV stations as right-hand drive can cause headlight alignment issues (UK headlights dip the wrong way for driving on the right). This is fixable — either with beam deflectors or by getting the headlight units adjusted.
A little preparation goes a long way. Before you go:
🔧 Pro tip: At Motorplus we offer a free pre-ITV check. We go through the same checklist the inspector uses, flag anything that could cause a fail, and you can decide what to fix before the test. No obligation, no pressure.
In the Valencia region (which covers Denia), you need to book an appointment at an authorised ITV station. The main ones near us are in Dénia itself and in Ondara. You can book online or by phone.
Appointments fill up quickly, especially in spring and autumn, so don't leave it until the last minute.
Approximate fees in the Comunitat Valenciana for standard vehicles:
These are government-regulated fees, so they don't vary much between stations.
The ITV isn't something to stress about if you keep your vehicle in reasonable condition. It's actually a pretty fair system — they're genuinely checking for safety issues, not looking to catch you out.
If you're not sure whether your car is ready, that's exactly what we're here for. Come in for a pre-ITV check, and we'll give you an honest assessment. If something needs fixing, we'll tell you what it is and what it'll cost — no surprises.
The Motorplus Team are the mechanics and car care specialists behind Motorplus Denia. Based on the Costa Blanca, we work with cars, vans, pickups, and SUVs every day — and we believe good advice should be as honest as the work we do. No jargon, no upselling, just straight talk about keeping your vehicle safe and roadworthy.
Share this article
What Is the ITV?
* Same-day service applies to vehicles dropped off before 12:00 PM. Completion by 7:00 PM is subject to the required oil, filter, and parts being available in stock at the time of drop-off. Should any parts need to be ordered, we will contact you with an updated timeline before beginning any work. Motorplus — no surprises, no hidden costs.