‘Surprise MOT’
In Spain, the average age of cars is quite high and the technical condition does not always seem to be in good condition. That is why the Guardia Civil will now carry out a kind of ‘surprise MOT’ at the roadside on cars that may not be as fresh as they should be.
Here in the Netherlands, the police can also spontaneously check the condition of your car, but such an inspection usually does not come close to an MOT. In Spain it is now a different story. There, the Guardia Civil will indeed check cars along the road in such a way that it comes close to the local MOT, the Inspección Técnica de Vehículos (ITV). This is done because there are major concerns about the condition of the vehicle fleet, we read 20 minutes. This not only has to do with tampering with inspections, but also with the age of cars there. In Spain, the average age of passenger cars was more than 13 years last year, according to the ACEA. In the Netherlands that is over 11 years.
The traffic branch of the Guardia Civil police unit is therefore equipped with equipment to check various things. For example, along the road you can check the headlights, steering, suspension and tires or take accurate measurements. All in all, it should reasonably approximate a local MOT, although it is emphasized that it is of course somewhat more extensive.
It is relatively easy to adequately equip the Guarda Civil for this, because Spain already has the necessary experience with mobile MOTs. It is possible there with the so-called ITV Movil for example, having vehicles such as tractors or classics that cannot be easily moved on location inspected. A van will then drive up with all the necessary equipment on board. The Guarda Civil will apparently work with comparable (albeit slightly less extensive) equipment.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl