First ITV

Hi, we use the ITV station at Puerto Lumbreras and have even seen staff taking vehicles through for confused Brits. However many staff now speak some English. Yes you book for cars. You can book on line ( we are told) but we go in personally. They even send to phone. On day of appt.just before time you present at office with Rego  & logbook and pay cash or CC. They.then wave you through.

If you fail I think you have 3 weeks to present yourself & vehicle & no fee. After that another fee. If you can time service with pre-Itv check then all well and good but not sure if your 'hole in wall' can do immissions check or the ITV brake check. If u have a minor fault they will often advise &'pass and expect it rectified by next test.

You will find pay for service individuals who will take your vehicle in for you. Never have.

All part of being here,

Bob and Sandra

Mojacar Playa and Puerto Lumbreras

Hi, BobL is correct. However you are nearer to Vera ITV.

Search Vera ITV to go to website. Enter reg and vin details as requested on website. Follow through for an appointment. Change if not convenient.

Print off appointment and about 15-20 minutes at least before your appointment take your appointment print off to reception with the documents the website will tell you needed, pay your fee either cash, credit or debit card, then watch for your registration number to come up on the screen showing which bay to queue in.

This works fast so I advise waiting in your car in sight of the large outside screen.

When your reg number displays go to the bay number displayed. Open your drivers window two thirds so the Staff can hang the portable speaker on your window.

I went as fast as possible but someone slotted into my position, no problem I just waited behind him, it did not cause a problem, this guy however failed lol.

I found the Staff friendly to English and they used hand signs and speech to call you through. You stay in the car until requested to vacate for the emissions test. Then they ask you to get back in for the braking tests.

If your car is good, nothing to worry about. Just check all bulbs, wipers, fluid levels before you go.

I went on my own in February this year for the first time, worried yes, needed to be?as it worked out definitely no. My Spanish is limited to greeting and saying thank you  but it was fine.

No problems going again.

Hope this helps you, regards Al

Wow!!!!!! Vera seems way more mechanised and impersonal than Puerto Lumbreras. At PL they just shove a sensor up your exhaust with you in car. It's not painful. The speakers are floor mounted, you have a designated tester and when you pay they tell you which of 3 lanes you go in.

0h, if you fail.you have to return to the same ITV.

Enjoy,

Bob and Sandra,

I should add, when you go into Reception at Vera there is a computerized log in machine. Go over to it, choose English, click on your reg number to confirm you are there. Then watch over the counter computer screens above the Receptions. When you see your reg number come up on their screen it is your turn to go and pay. 

Once you have done this go outside to your car and watch the main display for your appointment to show - then move quickly to the bay number showing.

I went the day before to view what happens, where people drive in, how they have to drive through etc.

Thanks everyone, the help is much appreciated. Sounds like the old MOT days in the Uk where you sat in the car! Vera is closest to us so that will be our option. Going down a few days in advance to have a look is a good idea too. 

Thanks again

Tina

You will be okay, regards Al

Hi, bit late responding but hopefully advice will help others.

Partners car is a rhd honda hybrid, we entrusted it to "The Garage" on the poligono on the way into Albox near the bowling alley. Great people who took the vehicle to Lorca ITV, apparently one of the tougher ITV stations, because theyd done pre ITV for partner it went thru, because the vehicle was/is under ten years old the ITV "badge/sticker" is valid for 2 years, older than 10 years its only valid for 1 year as in the UK. Because its a hybrid it additionally has an "ECO" sticker too.

They did work on the brakes and tyres we knew about, what we didnt know is that the 1st thing to be checked were the headlamps !

It appears that some cars have switchable headlamps which means they can be switched from rhd to lhd, unfortunately partners cars lights arent/wernt and replacement lhd headlamps cost almost €1000 for genuine Honda items !!  

Cant comment on DIY ITV's, lots of people reckon its an easy process, we didnt go down that route.

Following the ITV its getting the car taxed, usually done on engine size, emissions etc, the spanish love hybrids. After tax its new number plates which we got from a place on the road to Albox, 12 minutes was all it took.

Hope you got it done without much todoo and additionally anyone about to do the ITV finds this helpful.

In addition to using The Garage, CAT Services in La Alfoqia were very helpful.

Hi, thanks for the message. We went down the route of using Hispavan in Antas - great service and worth the money for the pre-ITV check and then them accompanying for the ITV. We will definitely use again in 2 years, but watching the whole ITV process it does run smoothly and wouldn't be a problem. For us it was the ease of the pre-test check and then their taking it to the station. Would recommend it any day!

(Dont mention Hispavan, or Lopez for that matter if Bobl is in hearing distance) lol