The OCU warning about V-16 lights: "Be careful what you buy."

As the Directorate General of Traffic , the institution that oversees road safety in Spain, has already reported on more than one occasion, the emergency triangles will be replaced by the already famous V-16 , which will be mandatory starting next year 2026. Therefore, many citizens have already taken action and have acquired one of these emergency elements.

However, not all establishments , whether physical or online, sell this approved device with the characteristics required by the organization led by Pere Navarro . Following this worrying situation, the OCU, The Organization of Consumers and Users has launched a tip to avoid penalties in the future.

What is the OCU's message?

As we mentioned earlier, the OCU (Spanish Consumer Protection Agency) has taken the first step to alert citizens to this type of scenario and has used its official social media profiles to communicate a clear and concise message to the public. " V16 lights. Be careful what you buy. Less than 35 euros? Be wary, it may not meet the requirements for 2026," the institution began its post.

Failure to meet the appropriate specifications could increase the danger on the road due to poor visibility , should the vehicle stop in the middle of the road, and would also be grounds for a fine from the police: "It could result in an 80 euro fine due to its lack of approval."

What are the appropriate characteristics?

To begin with, we must clarify that the approximate price of "official" V-16 lights ranges between 40 and 50 euros . Beyond that, the device must have illumination that is visible from a distance of one kilometer and emit a flashing or blinking yellow light.

On the other hand, the V-16 light must send its position every 100 seconds when activated, and its technology must be "via a 4G or 5G network." The device must also have connectivity integrated into its casing and must remain active for at least 12 years.

Finally, according to the OCU (Spanish Consumer Protection Agency), the batteries "will have a minimum standby time of 18 months " and, when in operation, "it must last at least 30 minutes." It's worth noting that "rechargeable batteries" may be used as long as they can be "recharged within the vehicle."