If you own a car that is registered in Spain, it needs to be checked for roadworthiness and safety by the Spanish authorities on a regular basis. New cars are exempt for the first few years. But after that, they are expected to be checked either annually or every other year. This system, and the checks performed, are quite similar in most (all?) European countries such as the MOT (UK), APK II (NL), and Kontrollbesiktning (SE).
In Spain, this check is better known as the ITV, the Inspección Técnica de Vehículos.
In this post, we’ll have a look at what will be checked at the ITV and what you can do yourself to prepare your car for the ITV.