How much does a vehicle inspection (ITV/MOT) cost in Spain in 2026?

The price of a vehicle inspection varies by region and vehicle type. For passenger cars and light vans, it ranges from 30 to 55 euros depending on the region. In Madrid it's around 43 euros, in Catalonia 47 euros and in Andalusia 37 euros for a petrol car. For commercial vehicles the cost is higher, between 50 and 80 euros. This is a minor cost compared to the 200 euro fine for operating with an expired inspection or the risk of losing insurance coverage.

Can I get the inspection done before the current one expires?

Yes, you can get the inspection done up to one month before the expiry date without losing any validity period. For example, if your inspection expires on June 30, you can have the inspection from June 1 and the new validity will be counted from the original June 30, not from the date you had it done. This is especially useful for fleets, as it allows you to plan inspections by grouping several vehicles in the same week and optimizing the manager's time.

What happens if a rental vehicle has an accident with an expired inspection?

If the vehicle has an expired inspection at the time of the accident, the insurer can reject the entire claim. Civil liability for damages falls on the vehicle's registered owner (the rental company), not on the driver. This can mean compensation of tens or hundreds of thousands of euros payable by the company. Additionally, the company may face further administrative sanctions for putting a vehicle into circulation without the mandatory inspection being current.

Does Fletaro automatically manage my fleet's inspection expiry dates?

Yes. When you register each vehicle in Fletaro, you enter the inspection expiry date (along with insurance, registration and other documents). The system sends automatic alerts 30, 15 and 7 days in advance, and the compliance dashboard shows the real-time document status of your entire fleet with a visual traffic light system. You don't need to remember any dates — the system alerts you before it's too late.

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Vehicle inspection frequency: when is each vehicle due?

How often a vehicle must undergo a mandatory inspection depends on its age and type. For passenger cars and vans up to 3,500 kg (the most common in rental and corporate fleets), the schedule in Spain is as follows: new vehicles are exempt for the first 4 years from registration, between 4 and 10 years they must be inspected every 2 years, and after 10 years the inspection is annual. For commercial vehicles and goods transport over 3,500 kg, the first inspection is at 2 years, then annually until 6 years, and every 6 months after that.

Consequences of operating with an expired inspection: fines, insurance and liability

Operating a vehicle with an expired inspection certificate is a serious traffic offence that carries a fine of 200 euros (in Spain) with no early payment discount. If the vehicle is stopped at a police checkpoint, it can be immobilized on the spot until the inspection is completed. But the fine is the lesser consequence. The real financial risk lies in insurance coverage: most fleet insurance policies include a clause that excludes coverage if the vehicle is operating with a failed or expired inspection certificate.

Why spreadsheets and calendar reminders fail beyond 10 vehicles

Most small fleet managers start by tracking inspection dates in a spreadsheet: one column for the licence plate, another for the expiry date, perhaps some conditional formatting for upcoming deadlines. This system works reasonably well with 5-8 vehicles and one dedicated person. The problem appears when the fleet grows beyond 10 vehicles, or when the responsible person changes roles, goes on holiday, or simply has a busy month and doesn't check the sheet. There are no automatic alerts: if nobody looks at the spreadsheet, nobody knows that a vehicle's inspection is about to expire.

Digital solution: automatic alerts and compliance dashboard

A professional fleet management software solves the problem at its root by automating the entire inspection cycle: you register the expiry date once, and the system takes care of the rest. Automatic alerts notify you 30, 15 and 7 days in advance via email and within the dashboard itself, indicating exactly which vehicles need inspection and when. The compliance dashboard shows the status of all documents for each vehicle (inspection certificate, insurance, registration, technical specifications) with a visual traffic light: green if current, amber if expiring soon, and red if expired.

Pre-inspection checklist for fleets: what to check before each vehicle's MOT

Passing the inspection first time is important for any vehicle, but for a fleet it's critical because a failed result means that vehicle cannot operate until it's repaired and re-inspected, losing days of revenue. The items that most frequently cause inspection failure in fleets are: tyres with tread depth below 1.6 mm or uneven wear, burned-out or misaligned lights (especially indicators and brake lights that deteriorate with heavy use), brakes with worn pads or warped discs, emissions outside the permitted range (especially in diesel vehicles over 5 years old), play in the steering and suspension, and windscreen condition (cracks larger than 10 cm or in the wiper sweep area).

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