ITV - The Spanish Vehicle Inspection in Mallorca

What is the ITV and Who Needs It?

Overview

The ITV (Inspeccion Tecnica de Vehiculos) is the Spanish mandatory vehicle inspection. It is the equivalent of the German TUV. The ITV checks the safety and environmental compliance of your vehicle.

Who Needs an ITV?

Anyone who wants to register and drive a car in Spain needs a valid ITV. It is a legal requirement and there are no exceptions. If you are in the process of buying a car in Mallorca, the ITV is one of the most important steps in the process.

• New cars: First ITV after 4 years
• Used cars: Before registration, then regularly
• Imported cars: Before registration in Spain

Which Vehicles Need an ITV?

• Cars
• Motorcycles
• Motorhomes
• Lorries and commercial vehicles
• Almost all motorised vehicles (exceptions: mopeds, scooters under 50cc, historic vehicles over 40 years old)

ITV Intervals and Validity

For Cars

Age of car	ITV interval
0 to 4 years	exempt (no ITV yet)
4 to 10 years	every 2 years
Over 10 years	annually

Imported cars are a separate case: before they can be registered in Spain they must pass a re-registration inspection (Homologacion), which on Mallorca is done only in Manacor. See the re-registration guide for the full process.

For Motorcycles

Age	First ITV	Subsequent tests
0-30 years	4th year	Every 2 years
Over 30 years	Before registration	Annually

Validity Period

Your ITV is valid for 12 months from the inspection date. The exact expiry date is shown on:

• The ITV sticker (Pegatina) on your car
• Your registration document (Permiso de Circulacion)

Example: ITV inspection on 15.3.2026 = valid until 14.3.2027

ITV Stations in Mallorca

The ITV system on Mallorca was reformed on 1 January 2025. Since then the Consell de Mallorca (public authority) is the owner and has reorganised the system under the Balearic reform (Ley 7/2024), with capacity raised to around 40,000 inspections per month and mobile inspections in more than 40 municipalities. Five stations form the network in 2026, and the situation differs sharply between them.

Station	Status (2026)	Typical waiting time	Notes
Palma I (Son Castello)	Closed since 18.12.2025	no on-site slots	Closed for roof works
Palma II (Can Pastilla)	Active	3 to 7 days	Primary fallback for the capital
Calvia (Magaluf)	Active	1 to 2 days	Most efficient station, often next working day
Inca	Active	7 to 14 days	Higher demand in the island interior
Manacor	Active	14 to 21 days	Exclusive for all re-registrations (Homologacion)

The key point: routine inspections are fast again at Calvia or Palma II, but re-registration of a foreign car (Homologacion) is handled only in Manacor. Unlike the routine ITV, the re-registration inspection has no online cita previa: the Consell de Mallorca ITV Service opens an administrative file (expediente) first, usually arranged through a Gestoria, and the inspection slot is then non-reschedulable. Plan that buffer in. The online booking below is for the routine, recurring ITV only.

Booking an Appointment

Book online at itv.mallorca.es or by phone on the central number 871 57 55 44 (Mon to Fri 9:00 to 21:00, Sat 9:00 to 14:00):

1. Go to itv.mallorca.es
2. Choose your station and vehicle type
3. Select an appointment (use the 8-week window, around two months before your expiry date)
4. Enter your details and vehicle number
5. Receive a confirmation by email

Slots for the peak months (May to July) are released early and assigned within hours, so book as soon as your window opens. Walk-ins are not reliable under the new operator; always book ahead.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Preparation at Home

Check the following before going to the ITV (see the checklist above):

• Lights (front and rear)
• Tyres and tread depth
• Brake fluid, oil, coolant
• Windscreen (no cracks)
• Exhaust (no holes, not too loud)

Step 2: Book an Appointment

Book your appointment online at itv.mallorca.es or by phone on 871 57 55 44. Under the new operator, walk-ins are not reliable, so always book ahead.

Step 3: Bring the Necessary Documents

Take the following documents to the ITV station:

• Registration document (Permiso de Circulacion) - original
• Vehicle title (Certificado de Registro) - original
• Insurance certificate - original or copy (Poliza de Seguros)
• Passport or national ID card - original

Step 4: On Arrival - Check-In

1. Hand in your documents at the desk
2. The clerk checks the documents
3. You receive a reference number and a queue number
4. Wait until you are called

Step 5: The Inspection - What Happens

The inspection is divided into several stages:

Stage 1: External check

• Brake lights tested
• Headlights and fog lights checked
• Exhaust checked (noise level and emissions)

Stage 2: Dynamic brake test

• You drive onto a special brake testing platform
• Your car is tested for braking performance (braking force must be symmetrical)

Stage 3: Emissions test (for older cars)

• Exhaust gas analysis carried out
• Checked whether your car meets environmental standards

Stage 4: Lighting test

• All lights tested electronically

Stage 5: Visual inspection

• Tyres, brake pads, suspension checked
• Paint damage, rust, glass checked

Step 6: Result

After approx. 20-30 minutes you receive your result:

Favorable (Pass):

• Green sticker (Pegatina verde)
• Valid for 12 months
• You are allowed to drive

Desfavorable (Fail):

• Red sticker (Pegatina roja)
• You have 1 month for repairs
• Then a re-test (approx. 15 EUR)

Costs of the ITV

Standard ITV Inspection

Vehicle type	Cost
Car	approx. 42 EUR
Motorcycle	approx. 28 EUR
Motorhome	approx. 50 EUR
Lorry/HGV	approx. 55 EUR
Trailer	approx. 15 EUR

Re-Test (After Failing)

If your car fails first time, the re-test costs only approx. 15 EUR - considerably cheaper.

Additional Fees

• Priority slot (fast appointment): +10 EUR
• Partial re-test (individual checks only): Variable, on request

Payment Options

• Cash (euros)
• Bank card
• Bank transfer (for online bookings)

Common Failure Points and How to Avoid Them

Top Reasons for Failing

1. Faulty or non-compliant lights

Problem: Brake lights, headlights, or fog lights not working or too dim

How to avoid:

• Check all lights monthly
• Replace faulty bulbs immediately
• Clean cloudy lenses

2. Insufficient tyre tread

Problem: Tyres below 1.6 mm tread depth (legal minimum)

How to avoid:

• Check your tread depth regularly (penny test: insert a coin into the tread groove; if the edge of the coin is visible, the tread is too low)
• Replace tyres at around 3-4 mm tread depth
• Check tyre pressure

3. Brake wear

Problem: Brake pads too thin, asymmetric braking force

How to avoid:

• Have your brakes checked at a garage
• Act immediately if you hear squealing
• Avoid aggressive braking

4. Damaged windscreen

Problem: Cracks or deep scratches in the glass

How to avoid:

• Drive carefully on gravel roads
• Repair damage immediately
• Check that your insurance covers glass damage

5. Faulty or excessively loud exhaust

Problem: Holes in the exhaust system, missing silencers

How to avoid:

• Check the exhaust regularly for rust and holes
• Avoid driving on very rough surfaces
• Do not fit illegal "sport silencers" (these will cause a fail)

6. Emissions problems (older cars)

Problem: Pollutant emissions above the permitted level

How to avoid:

• Have your car serviced regularly
• Use the correct engine oil
• Drive at moderate speeds
• If your car is older than 15 years, have the catalytic converter checked

Common Faults That Do Not Cause a Fail

These faults lead to deductions but not necessarily a fail:

• Minor paint scratches
• Small rust spots (not structural rust)
• Light wear on seat upholstery
• Missing trim pieces (bumper cover, panels)

What to Do If You Fail

Step 1: Understand the Fault Report

Your failure report lists all defects. These are divided into 3 categories:

• Minor faults (Menores) - Can be repaired within 1-2 months
• Serious faults (Graves) - Must be repaired immediately
• Very serious faults (Muy Graves) - Your car is not roadworthy

Step 2: Carry Out Repairs

Take your car to a garage and have the listed faults repaired:

Recommended garages in Mallorca:

• Authorised brand workshops (BMW, Audi, Mercedes, etc.)
• Independent workshops in Palma
• Small local mechanics near you

Costs can vary: 100 EUR (new bulb) to 1,000 EUR (new exhaust system)

Step 3: Book the Re-Test

After repairs, book a new appointment (re-test):

1. Go to itv.mallorca.es
2. Book an appointment (approx. 1-2 weeks later)
3. Pay only approx. 15 EUR (instead of 42 EUR)

Step 4: Complete the Re-Test

Take your car back to the ITV station for the repairs to be checked.

Result:

• Favorable: Green sticker, you are allowed to drive
• Desfavorable: Failed again - repeat steps 1-4

Preparation Tips

Tip 1: Monthly Maintenance Checks

Do a quick check every month:

• Switch on all lights and verify they work
• Check tyre pressure
• Check oil and coolant levels
• Test the brakes (gentle braking)

This prevents surprises at the ITV.

Tip 2: Preventive Maintenance Before the ITV

Two weeks before your ITV appointment:

• Take your car to a garage for an inspection
• Have any faulty parts repaired
• This costs 100-200 EUR but saves you a fail

Tip 3: Professional Pre-Check

Some garages offer pre-ITV inspections (approx. 30-50 EUR):

• They check all critical points
• They tell you what needs to be repaired
• You can then fix those issues before the real ITV

Tip 4: Store Your Documentation

Save all ITV certificates digitally:

• Photograph your sticker and the result
• Save the email confirmation
• These documents are useful if any questions arise

Tip 5: Book in Good Time

Book your ITV appointment at least 1-2 weeks before the expiry date:

• That gives you time for repairs if needed
• You avoid last-minute stress
• You get a better appointment slot

After a Successful ITV

Once you have a green sticker (Favorable):

1. Drive your car: You are legally allowed to drive
2. Registration: If you just bought the car, it is now registered
3. Car insurance active: You can finalise your insurance
4. Next appointment: Note down the expiry date and book a new appointment 1 month in advance

The next ITV is then due:

• In 2 years (for cars up to 4 years old)
• In 1 year (for older cars)