Lanzarote Information

The ITV Test is a periodic test which motor vehicles must undergo in Spain. It is similar to the MOT test needed by cars in the United Kingdom. This article will take you through the ITV test requirements, and will show you how to book your own car in for an ITV in Lanzarote, and what to expect on the day.

ITV stands for Inspecion Technico Vehiculos, or technical inspection of vehicles. For most cars the test is due when they are four years old, and then once every two years. However, there are exceptions, notably commercial vehicles which have been converted to passenger use - for example the Citroen Berlingo, Renault Kangoo and Hyundai H1 - all of which require an ITV at two years of age. If in doubt, check your cars Ficha Technica document, which should be kept in the vehicle.

Booking an ITV is simple and the easiest way is to do so online. http://www.serviciositv.es/

On the appointed day, head to the ITV centre in Arrecife, which is just past the hospital on the San Bartolomé road. Go into the office with all the papers for your car and pay the fee of €32.50. They will issue you with actual test form and direct you to the back of the building. If you have a diesel vehicle, you will first have to go into the diesel emissions' shed, which is the first building you will see. In there, they will ask you to step out of the car and the technician will plug the exhaust system into the computer and rev the engine. Once he has finished, head around the corner to the main building, where they will direct you into one of the lines and take your paperwork from you.

Basically, you are now on a kind of conveyor belt, and you will drive your car slowly to each station, where they will check, in turn:

Oil and water check
Lights, wipers, washers and horn function. Alignment of headlights, function of seat belts.
Emissions test (petrol cars)
Brakes and hand brake test
Inspection and test of tyres, shock absorbers, wheel cylinders, steering joints

At the last station you will be handed back your papers, marked with the test results. Drive back around to the front, and visit the second office. If your car has failed, you will be given a fail certificate and told that you need to return within 15 days for a retest, which will only be on the area the cart failed in. If you have passed, you will be issued with a sticker to afix to the top left of your windscreen. Unless the car is more than 10 years old, the next test will be two years hence - if it is more than 10 years old, you will be expected to come back in a year.

And that's it! Simple as you like and quite good fun!