MOT in Spain? It's Called the ITV — Here's Everything You Need to Know
Spain doesn't have an "MOT" — the equivalent is the ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos). Same idea, different rules. Here's how it works, what it costs, and how to check a car's ITV history before you buy.
MOT vs ITV: key differences at a glance
They're the same idea — a compulsory periodic inspection to prove a vehicle is roadworthy — but Spain's version has meaningfully different rules from the UK's MOT. If you've just moved to Spain or you're buying a car here, these are the differences that actually matter:
| UK MOT | Spanish ITV | |
|---|---|---|
| First test due | 3 years after registration | 4 years after registration |
| Frequency (young car) | Every year, from year 3 | Every 2 years, from year 4 |
| Frequency (10+ years) | Every year | Every year |
| Driving with it expired | Allowed, to a pre-booked test | Not allowed under any circumstance |
| Proof of a pass | Certificate (digital, no sticker) | Windscreen sticker (distintivo ITV) |
| Checking a used car's history | Free — gov.uk MOT history checker | No free public tool — only in the official DGT report |
That last row is the one most foreign buyers get caught out by: there's no Spanish equivalent of the UK's free MOT history website. The ITV history only appears on the official vehicle report issued by the DGT — more on that below.
When does a car need its first ITV?
The frequency depends entirely on the vehicle's age, counting from its first registration date — not from when you bought it:
Taxis, driving-school cars, ambulances and other commercial/public-service vehicles follow a stricter schedule (usually annual or every 6 months regardless of age) — this timeline covers ordinary private cars and motorbikes.
What happens if you drive with an expired ITV?
Spain is stricter than the UK on this
In the UK, you're allowed to drive to a pre-booked MOT test even if the old one has expired. In Spain, that exception doesn't exist — a car with an expired ITV is not legal to drive at all, for any reason. If you're stopped, you risk a fine and the vehicle can be immobilised on the spot. If you're involved in an accident with an expired ITV, your insurer may also use it to dispute or reduce a claim.
What does the ITV test check?
Like the MOT, the ITV covers the vehicle's safety-critical systems and its environmental compliance:
How to check a car's ITV (MOT) history before buying it in Spain
This is the part that catches most foreign buyers out. In the UK, you can look up any car's full MOT history for free on gov.uk in seconds. Spain has no equivalent free public tool. A used car's ITV history — every inspection date, its result, and the mileage recorded at each one — only appears on the official DGT vehicle report, the same document that also shows ownership history, outstanding charges or liens, and technical specs.
Without it, you're relying entirely on the seller's word — and a car that's failed or skipped an ITV inspection is exactly the kind of thing a seller has no incentive to mention.
Buying a used car in Spain?
Get the official DGT report: full ITV (MOT) history, previous owners, charges and liens, technical specs. PDF in your inbox in under 10 seconds.
→ Get a vehicle reportFrequently asked questions
Is the ITV the same as the MOT?
They serve the same purpose — a mandatory periodic roadworthiness inspection — but they're not identical. The ITV has a different schedule (first test at 4 years instead of 3, then every 2 years instead of every year until the car turns 10), a windscreen sticker instead of a certificate, and — unlike the UK — you cannot legally drive with an expired one, not even to a pre-booked test.
How much does the ITV cost in Spain?
It varies by region and vehicle type, but expect roughly €30-50 for an ordinary car. Motorcycles are usually cheaper. Prices are set by each autonomous community, so they differ slightly across Spain.
Can I drive in Spain with a valid UK MOT instead of an ITV?
No. If a vehicle is registered in Spain, it needs a valid Spanish ITV regardless of what other country's inspection it may also hold. A UK-registered car being driven temporarily in Spain is a separate situation, governed by its own import/registration rules.
Do electric cars need an ITV in Spain?
Yes. Electric and hybrid vehicles follow the same age-based schedule as petrol and diesel cars, though the inspection itself checks different things (no emissions test, but battery and electrical-system safety checks instead).
Where can I check a used car's ITV history before buying it?
There's no free public lookup like the UK's gov.uk MOT checker. The full ITV history — every inspection date, its result and the mileage recorded — is part of the official DGT vehicle report, which also covers ownership history, charges and liens, and technical specs.
What documents do I need to take a car for its ITV test?
Normally just the vehicle's registration document (permiso de circulación) and proof of valid insurance. The inspection station checks these match the vehicle before testing it.