Spain - British Expat Forum

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

Hi there,

I took my car for it's ITV in December and like you my Spanish was not great. However, the test is really straightforward. You stay in the car and just drive it forward through the test station when told. The tester will tell you when to brake, indicate, put lights on etc and as you will have discovered the spanish has actions to help you understand anything. My tester spoke no english at all and I still managed to understand. I would imagine on the coast you have more chance of english speaking testers. If in doubt, watch the car in front so you have an idea of what to expect when it's your turn. Do not be put off when they ask you to drive forward but help you steer the car - it's common practice, not because they think you are a bad driver!! Good Luck

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

Hi

Can someone suggest an alternative ITV station apart from the main one at Benidorm? But not too far away....

Also if car fails how long have you got to rectify the problems.

Thanks

Sarah

[quote="sarahchirles"] please don't quote the full post, read the posting guideleines. Thank you.



Hi Sarah

I can't help with the period in which you have to rectify any problems but I do know that you do not have to pay for a retest.

Colin

As far as I am aware, any vehicle must be MOTd in its country of registration !
Should you have a big claim you may well find that your insurers will decline to pay out.

Brian

Edit...........I have just read that the insurers "will" pay out ! (please ignore my above comments re-insurance)

I am very surprised, and worried, that Insurers here in Spain are willing to insure illegal motor vehicles.

I assume you have registered your car in Spain and paid the fees?

I own a Spanish registered car. It is totally legal!

With regard to the period allowed for a re-test after failure, I can confirm it is 15 days.
We just had our little peugeot go through and fail on a brake light switch!
we were told then by the very helpful chap running the station that we had 15 days to sort it then bring it back for the re-test with no charge, providing it was within the 15 days or we would have to pay the full price again. By the way, this was the test centre just outside Vicar to the west of Almeria.

Hope this is helpful

Jon