The reason why Europe is looking to Spain for the annual MOT for cars over ten years old

In Spain, vehicles that are more than ten years old must go to an ITV service station annually for the inspection that guarantees they comply with regulations in order to continue circulating safely and legally on Spanish roads .

This ITV regulation, which comes from Royal Decree 920/2017, fully complies with European Union Directive 2014/45/EU regarding these periodic vehicle inspections. However, the European Commission now seeks to amend this regulation with the goal of saving around 7,000 deaths on EU roads and is seeking its entry into force by 2025.

What does the EU want to enforce?

Specifically, the European Commission wants to follow in Spain's footsteps and impose the MOT inspection intervals that are already in place, meaning that vehicles more than ten years old since their first registration must go to the service station annually .

Likewise, the changes to the European Directive seek new inspections of electric cars and improved emissions tests to make them more accurate, many measures already included in Spain's MOTs . For now, it's only a European Union proposal, but countries like Germany are already opposing it because it would impose another tax burden on vehicle owners.

Proposals for the modification of the European MOT Directive

The European Commission aims to reduce the number of road fatalities in the coming years and is therefore seeking to include several changes to Directive 2014/45/EU, which regulates periodic vehicle inspections. First, the future legislation will establish greater protection against odometer manipulation using European-wide databases.

Furthermore, they also intend to digitize all vehicle data , as well as increase roadside controls, i.e. the so-called mobile ITV (mobile vehicle inspections) that the Civil Guard has been implementing for years in Spain .

What vehicle components are examined during the MOT?

During the MOT (Inspection of Vehicle Inspection), almost every aspect of the car is assessed. First, the vehicle's identity is verified , ensuring that the documentation matches the model and chassis number. Then, the condition of the body, chassis, and windows is examined , checking for damage, and the interior is inspected.

Subsequently, the systems that determine the vehicle's roadworthiness are inspected: lighting, signaling, tires , axles, suspension, brakes, steering, engine, and transmission. Finally, emissions levels are analyzed by specialized equipment to ensure that permitted limits are not exceeded. In short, the inspection covers virtually the entire vehicle.