Hi;
Dont know how the system works outside of Andalucia but here the ITV authorities send out a reminder before the ITV expires with instructions on what to do next. The letter will be sent to the vehicle owners registered address. There is a National phone number 902 575757 for making ITV Test appointments and I think they have English speaking people available.
It is highly unlikely that the authorities will do anything about an expired ITV unless you are caught driving it...but as in England you are allowed to drive it to an ITV station for a test or retest. If the vehicle fails it's ITV Test you have up to 15days to correct the failed items and then represent the vehicle at the same station for a re-test; a second appointment is not necessary but get there as early in the day as possible ie., 0830 when they open...
Insofar as the test itself is concerned;
I dont know if you have been through the process before but its a production line situation; If your Spanish isnt all that good they will guide you through it. Make sure that the car you present for the test is exactly as described in the Documentation for the vehicle...I had fitted blue/white headlight bulbs to my car and it failed on that; headlights must be exactly as per the original spec. Indicators...make sure they are still orange; the lacquer peels off the orange bulbs that are used in some cars to leave a normal white; this too is a fail. If you have a towbar fitted make sure it is mentioned in the documentation or that you have a certificate from an approved after-market supplier; again they will fail the car on this. Make sure the tyres are to the same spec as specified in the documentation, its another area where they can fail the car. Make sure all seat belts work correctly...
Just remember also that he Spanish ITV is tough but fair; the test centresdon't have an axe to grind unlike English garages where having an MOT garage is a license to print money...All the ITV people want to do is make sure that the vehicle is safe...
Hope some of this helps..
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