Nearly 19 percent of vehicles in Spain are failing their first ITV inspection, with makeshift repairs and falsified stickers among the main culprits. The growing age of the national car fleet and skipped maintenance are fueling a surge in costly rejections.
Failing Spain's ITV inspection is no longer just a problem for old, battered cars. In 2025, nearly 23 million vehicles went through inspection stations across the country, and 19 percent didn't pass on their first try. The reasons are often preventable: fake inspection stickers, seatbelts patched up at home, and other shortcuts drivers use to avoid repair costs are now common causes for rejection.
It's not only aging cars that get flagged. The average car in Spain is now 15.2 years old, and with money tight, more owners are taking chances with quick fixes. But the ITV doesn't bend its rules. Ministry of Industry and Tourism data, cited by AECA-ITV, shows inspectors are catching everything from worn-out V-19 stickers to makeshift mirrors that barely meet safety standards.
Some drivers go further, trying to cheat the system with the V-19 sticker. Not displaying it brings a 100-euro fine, but altering or forging one is a criminal offense. The Supreme Court has confirmed that using a fake sticker can mean fines for up to six months. ITV inspectors aren't interested in creative repairs—only in proper compliance. Covering dents with tape or sewing up a torn seatbelt might seem like a shortcut, but these tricks are quickly spotted during inspection.
If a car fails for a serious defect, the owner can only drive to a repair shop and back to the station. A very serious defect means the car is immobilized and must be towed. The financial hit is immediate: driving with an expired or failed ITV outside of allowed trips brings a 200-euro fine, and a negative result raises the penalty to 500 euros. Even skipping the V-19 sticker can cost 100 euros.
Inspection stations now follow the updated 7.9 procedure manual, in effect since January 2026, which keeps a close eye on all key safety points. Before heading in, drivers should check that their V-19 sticker is original and undamaged, seatbelts haven't been patched up, mirrors are properly mounted and approved, and exhaust systems haven't been tampered with. A quick check at a trusted workshop can often prevent a failed inspection and the hassle of coming back for a second try.
Attempts to get around the rules aren't limited to stickers and seatbelts. Some drivers swap broken mirrors for household substitutes or try to hide emissions problems by tampering with particle filters. Modern testing equipment catches these tricks, and environmental violations bring heavy penalties. The longer a car goes without inspection—especially if it's overdue by more than a year—the higher the risk: the chance of a serious or very serious defect jumps by 65 percent.
As Spain's car fleet gets older and budgets get tighter, it's easy to see why some drivers cut corners. But the ITV applies the same standards everywhere, no matter the car's age or the owner's creativity. As reported earlier, even major brands face recalls when safety is at stake. Compliance isn't optional in the automotive world.
For drivers, the lesson is straightforward: makeshift repairs and fake documents don't solve the problem—they make it worse. The cost of a proper repair or a pre-inspection check is almost always less than the fines, towing, and legal trouble that come with a failed ITV. As the rules get stricter and cars keep aging, only real maintenance and honest preparation will keep Spanish cars on the road and out of trouble.
