ITV in Castellón: what to check before buying a used car

The ITV is one of those errands we tend to leave until the last minute, but when you buy a used car it becomes central. A car with a valid ITV is a car you can register in your name and insure without complications; one with an expired ITV can cause you real headaches. In this guide we explain what the ITV is, what we check in our workshop before selling, where to take it in the province of Castellón, and which documents to ask the seller for before you sign.

What the ITV is and why without a valid ITV you can't transfer or insure the car

The ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) is the official, compulsory roadworthiness test that confirms a car meets the minimum safety and emissions requirements to drive on the road. It is carried out by an authorised station, not by the seller, and the result is recorded: favourable, unfavourable or negative. Only with a favourable result does the car have a valid ITV.

Here is the key point that many buyers don't know: without a valid ITV you can't complete the change of ownership at the DGT (the Spanish traffic authority) in the normal way. If you buy a car with an expired ITV, it has to be taken and passed first, and only then can the change of name be completed to register it in your name. In other words, the paperwork gets complicated before you even begin.

The same applies to insurance: driving with an expired ITV is a punishable offence, and if you have an accident with a lapsed ITV, the insurer can pass part of the cost back to you. That's why buying a car with a valid ITV is not a minor detail: it's what lets you insure it, transfer it and drive it with peace of mind from day one. If you want the full picture of the paperwork and buyer protection, we recommend reading our guide on how to buy a used car with a warranty.

The points we check in our workshop before selling

Before putting a car up for sale, at General Car's we run it through our own workshop. We don't just look at whether the ITV is valid: we check the same points an ITV station checks, so we can spot and fix problems before the car reaches you. These are the main ones:

• Brakes. Condition of pads and discs, braking efficiency and balance between wheels, and no leaks in the circuit. It's the number-one safety point.
• Tyres. Tread depth (the legal minimum is 1.6 mm), even wear, age, and no cuts or deformations.
• Lights. That they all work (dipped and full beam, brake lights, indicators, number-plate light, fog lights) and that the headlight alignment is correct so it doesn't dazzle.
• Emissions. Measurement of exhaust gases according to the engine. A car that pollutes above the limit fails the ITV, and it often hides a mechanical problem.
• Play and steering. Checking ball joints, bushings, shock absorbers and steering to rule out dangerous play.

When something isn't up to standard, we fix it before delivery. That's why the cars in our catalogue leave inspected and with a valid ITV. If you want the point-by-point detail on how to inspect any used car, see our checklist of what to check before buying a used car.

ITV stations in the province of Castellón and how to book an appointment

There are several ITV stations across the province of Castellón, so you don't have to travel far. You'll find stations in the capital, Castelló de la Plana, and in the main inland and coastal towns such as Vila-real, Borriana, Onda and the northern part of the province. Each one serves the towns around it, so you almost always have one nearby.

Booking is simple:

1. Go to the ITV station's website or call to reserve a day and time.
2. Turn up with the ITV card (technical data sheet), the registration certificate and a valid insurance receipt.
3. Pay the inspection fee (it varies by vehicle type and fuel).
4. Wait for the result: if it's favourable, they put on the sticker with the month and year of the next ITV.

A practical tip: don't leave the appointment until the last day before it expires, because at busy times the stations fill up. If you buy from us, this step is already sorted, because we deliver the car with the ITV passed.

What to ask the seller for: DGT report, last ITV, history

Whether you buy from a professional or from a private seller, there are three documents you should always ask for before signing. With them you avoid almost every surprise:

• The vehicle's DGT report. This is the document that shows whether the car has any charges, liens or retention-of-title clauses, how many owners it has had, and the mileage recorded at each ITV. If the mileage doesn't match the car's condition, that's a red flag.
• The last ITV and the ITV card. Check the date of the next inspection and that the last result was favourable. Also check that the technical data (engine, emissions, modifications) matches the actual car.
• The maintenance history. Service book, workshop invoices and timing-belt or oil changes. A complete history says a lot about how the car has been looked after.

With these documents in front of you, you can decide with confidence. At General Car's we hand over all of this documentation as standard, and if you have questions about a specific car in our catalogue you can ask Carmen, our virtual assistant, at any time of the day or night: she knows our entire stock and answers you instantly.

Frequently asked questions