Following the publication this Wednesday in the BOE of the new Regulation on Historic Vehicles (VH) that comes into force on October 1, Royal Decree 892/2024, of September 10, the Spanish Association of Collaborating Entities of the Administration in the Technical Inspection of Vehicles ( AECA-ITV) , through a statement, explains the main characteristics of the periodic checks carried out on this type of vehicle.
There are several differences between the MOT for historic vehicles and that of any other car. The first of these particularities is related to the frequency of the inspection , although the technical inspection procedure itself is the same as that which must be carried out by other vehicles.
Another difference is related to the exemptions reflected in the ITV Card for historic vehicles. In this sense, they are exempt from brake test or clearance plate tests, the existence of seat belts and lighting devices.
The MPITV (Inspection Procedure Manual for ITV Stations) allows the use of tyres with a depth of less than 1.6 mm on historic vehicles. It also establishes that the use of spare parts will not be considered a modification, but if any data on the ITV card (TITV) is altered, a new intervention by the cataloguing authority will be necessary.
In the case of historic vehicles that are more than 60 years old since their manufacture or first registration, as well as mopeds classified as historic, regardless of their age, they are exempt from passing the ITV , without prejudice to the fact that the owners may subject them to voluntary ITV.
The two groups within this type of cars: A and B
On the other hand, the requirements for obtaining the classification of historic vehicles are modified. In both cases, the classification phase is eliminated:
Vehicles in group A – abbreviated procedure – (historic vehicles with a regular registration in Spain and a valid MOT) are exempt from having to carry out the previous MOT and a new MOT card is not issued. In these cases, a responsible declaration from the owner that the vehicle is eligible to be classified as historic, a valid MOT and the issuance by the DGT of the circulation permit for change of service to historic is sufficient. Therefore, it will be when the period of the vehicle’s valid MOT expires, when the interested party must carry out the MOT and if the result is favourable, the MOT station will note on the MOT card the new inspection frequency that corresponds to the vehicle’s age.
For Group B vehicles (other historic vehicles), among other aspects, as at present, a prior technical inspection of the vehicle is required for the issuance of the ITV card.
In any case, as the regulation itself recognises, “since road safety is an essential factor, the regulation, in addition to requiring a valid ITV for vehicles subject to the “abbreviated procedure”, requires, for vehicles subject to the more complex procedure, the participation of a technically qualified entity such as the Historical Vehicle Technical Services through the issuance of the corresponding technical report and the subsequent technical inspection at an ITV station .”
For its part, before October 1, 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Tourism must modify the MPITV to incorporate the specifications on the groups mentioned above in the new regulation on historic vehicles.
There are 47,000 vehicles classified as historic and more than 2.5 million are over 30 years old
According to data from the Vehicle Registry of the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), in 2023, there were 47,000 vehicles classified as historic vehicles (HV) throughout the country, while just over 2.5 million are over 30 years old. Of the 47,000 (HV), approximately 6,000 are subject to technical inspection each year , reflecting a continuous effort to keep these vehicles in optimal condition and comply with current regulations.
Of the total number of historic vehicles that undergo the MOT, 84% pass it on the first attempt. In the 16% that fail it, the most frequently detected defects are the following:
- Brakes : with 35% of faults, this chapter is the first cause of rejection of the ITV in historic vehicles.
- Lighting and signage : this type of defect ranks second with 19% of the total.
- Axles, wheels and suspension : these faults are the third cause of failure in the ITV, with 11% of all defects detected.
Only 96 days a year
As explained by this newspaper previously, the use of historic vehicles will be occasional and may only circulate 96 days a year, any day of the week, and in no case may they be used as a means of daily transport to minimise their environmental impact. The use of historic vehicles for public transport of passengers or goods and for agricultural activities or works and services is also generally prohibited.
According to the Spanish Federation of Antique Vehicles (FEVA), the 96-day per year limitation thus gives freedom to keep vehicles on the road without allowing their use as a regular means of transport , an aspect that is hardly compatible with their preservation. In fact, and according to FEVA surveys, 91% of vehicles circulate less than 60 days per year.
“We don’t know how the authorities are going to control that the owner uses his car only 96 days a year ,” says Mario Arnaldo, director of the European Automobile Association (AEA). But if someone does not comply and the Administration can prove it, the consequence will be the revocation of its classification as a historic vehicle.”
Circulating through the ZBE
In the case of Madrid, for example, one of the most restrictive cities in the Low Emissions Zone , both Group A and Group B cars will be able to access and circulate in the city centre . “The exception is that those under 50 years old will not be able to park on the street; only in public car parks,” Arnaldo explains.
Source: www.eleconomista.es