Daily Life

ITV: Spain's Vehicle Roadworthiness Test

Spain's ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) is the equivalent of the UK MOT or German TÜV. Here's how often you need one, how to book in Mallorca, what it tests, what it costs, and what happens if you fail.

Updated 15 May 2026·5 min read

In short

The ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) is Spain's mandatory vehicle roadworthiness inspection. New cars need their first ITV after four years, then every two years until the vehicle is ten years old, then annually. The test costs approximately €40–€50 in Mallorca, and driving without a valid ITV sticker can result on-the-spot fines.

What Is the ITV?

The Inspección Técnica de Vehículos (ITV) is Spain's periodic vehicle safety inspection, equivalent to the UK's MOT (Ministry of Transport test) or Germany's TÜV (Technischer Überwachungsverein) inspection. All motor vehicles registered in Spain — cars, motorcycles, vans, caravans, and trailers — must pass an ITV periodically to remain legally roadworthy.

The ITV is carried out at official ITV stations (estaciones ITV) which are regulated by the regional government. In Mallorca, ITV stations are operated by DEKRA ITV Baleares under a concession from the Govern Balear. The inspection is carried out by independent technicians — not the vehicle manufacturer or a commercial garage.

How Often Do You Need an ITV?

The due date is shown on the ITV sticker (pegatina ITV) on the vehicle's windscreen and in the vehicle's ITV certificate (tarjeta ITV). The due date is also recorded in the DGT's central vehicle database.

How to Book an ITV in Mallorca

You can book an ITV appointment at any of the DEKRA ITV Baleares stations in Mallorca:

  • Palma (Coll d'en Rabassa) — the main station, handling the highest volume
  • Palma (Can Valero) — second Palma location
  • Manacor — serving the east and south
  • Inca — serving central and northern Mallorca

Booking methods:

  • Online: through the DEKRA ITV Baleares website (itv.dekra.es/baleares or itv.caib.es) — the most convenient option
  • By phone: call the station directly
  • In person: walk-in appointments are sometimes available, particularly outside peak summer season

During summer months and in the weeks running up to school holidays, waiting times for appointments can extend to two to four weeks. Book ahead.

What the ITV Tests

The ITV inspection covers all major safety and environmental systems:

Identification

  • Vehicle identification number (chassis number) matches documentation
  • Registration plate condition and legibility

Safety systems

  • Brakes (service brake, handbrake) — tested on a rolling road
  • Steering and suspension
  • Lights (headlights, indicators, brake lights, reverse lights, fog lights) — adjusted and checked for beam alignment
  • Tyres — tread depth, condition, and correct size for the vehicle
  • Windscreen and wipers
  • Seatbelts and airbag warning lights
  • Horn

Environmental systems

  • Exhaust emissions — CO₂, hydrocarbons, and particulate filters. The standards applied depend on the vehicle's engine type and Euro emissions rating
  • Fuel system for leaks
  • Noise level

Structure and body

  • Structural integrity — no excessive corrosion
  • Undercarriage and chassis condition

Documentation

  • You must bring the vehicle's permiso de circulación (registration document) and the previous ITV certificate

What Does an ITV Cost?

ITV fees in the Balearics are set by the regional government. Current typical costs:

Payment is made at the ITV station on the day.

ITV Outcomes: Pass, Conditional Pass, and Fail

After the inspection, the vehicle is assigned one of three outcomes:

Favorable (pass): all items pass. A new ITV sticker is issued for the windscreen, and the tarjeta ITV is stamped. The vehicle is roadworthy.

Desfavorable (fail): one or more items failed and the vehicle is not roadworthy in its current condition. You have two months to repair the faults and return for a re-inspection (re-inspección) without paying the full ITV fee again. During those two months, you should not drive the vehicle on public roads.

Negativa (serious fail): a critical safety defect found that makes the vehicle immediately dangerous. The vehicle cannot be driven away from the ITV station until the defect is repaired. Examples: completely non-functioning brakes, a wheel about to detach, critical structural failure.

Fines for driving with an expired ITV

Driving a vehicle with an expired ITV sticker is a driving infraction in Spain. The DGT can detect expired ITV via roadside cameras and automated licence plate recognition. Fines typically range from €200–€500. Police can also carry out roadside checks and issue fines on the spot. If you buy a used vehicle with an expired ITV, you cannot legally drive it until the inspection is passed.

What Happens If You Buy a Car With a Failed or Expired ITV?

If you purchase a vehicle with an expired ITV or one that has a recent failure notice:

  1. You may not drive it on public roads until it passes
  2. You can transport it to an ITV station on a trailer or low-loader for the test
  3. You can apply to the DGT for a one-time autorización especial de circulación (special transport permit) to drive the vehicle to the ITV station — this is a one-time concession, not a general permission to drive

Always confirm the ITV status before purchasing a used vehicle in Spain.

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