A persistent oil drip can instantly disqualify your petrol car from Spain’s ITV inspection. Mechanic Pedro Bastida explains why this overlooked issue is both dangerous and easy to spot, urging drivers to check before heading to the test.
Some drivers show up at Spain’s ITV with a petrol car that leaks oil. They don’t stand a chance. Mechanic Pedro Bastida doesn’t mince words. He says a steady oil drip is more than a small problem. It’s a real safety risk. Inspectors will spot it right away and fail the car on the spot.
Bastida doesn’t waste time on the usual checklist—tyres, emissions, lights. He draws a clear line. A little oil stain is one thing. But if oil drips steadily, the car is out. "One thing is a bit of oil seeping out, but if it’s dripping continuously, the car is not fit for the test," he says. He shows the problem in his own shop. Oil pools on his finger. The leak is obvious. According to recent technical reviews in top Spanish auto magazines, inspectors know the difference between old oil marks and fresh, steady drips. Only the latter means an automatic fail. The car must be fixed before it can pass.
Official ITV guidelines require inspectors to visually check for leaks of oil, coolant, and brake fluid as a core safety measure during every inspection.
Petrol cars face even tougher scrutiny. Bastida points out that gasoline engines are "extremely flammable." Any ongoing oil leak is a fire risk. The check is simple. Mechanics and inspectors just look under the car. If oil is dripping, there’s no excuse. Sector experts have stressed in recent reports that oil leaks in petrol cars are not just a technical issue. They are a real fire hazard. That’s why ITV inspectors treat these leaks so seriously.
Mechanical and safety faults are a top reason for failing Spain’s ITV. Two out of every ten cars don’t pass. Excess emissions, often flagged by electronic checks, cause nearly 9% of failures. Lighting and signaling problems—like broken or misaligned headlights—are also common. But Bastida keeps coming back to oil leaks. He says they’re easy to prevent but can be disastrous if ignored. AECA-ITV data and recent industry analysis show about 19% of cars failed their first ITV in 2025. That’s a big number. It proves drivers need to fix every visible problem before the test.
Spain keeps tightening its vehicle safety rules. Controls are stricter. Monitoring is more advanced. As reported earlier, changes in foreign regulations can shape local standards. But the basics don’t change. If a car has a visible, unfixed hazard, it won’t pass.
Recent industry publications in Spain continue to list fluid leaks, lighting faults, tire issues, and electronic malfunctions among the most common reasons for failing the ITV, indicating that these problems remain a practical concern for drivers year after year.
Drivers have no excuse. A quick check for oil leaks before the ITV can save time and money. It can also prevent a failed test. Nearly one in five cars gets turned away for mechanical or safety faults. Skipping this basic check is a costly risk. Bastida’s advice is simple. Check for leaks. Fix them. It’s the only way to keep your car on the road and stay safe.
