Tyres and the new MOT: what you need to know to pass the inspection

Tyres, along with axles, wheels and suspensions, are the cause of almost 22 per cent of unfavourable results at the ITV (Spain’s MOT). This is what you need to know so that your tyres pass the Technical Vehicle Inspection.

The new decree on technical vehicle inspection, which will be in force from 20 May, brings important changes. Among them, the ITV inspection stations must be better prepared, a more thorough check of the vehicle will be carried out including connection via the OBD port, in the event of an unfavourable result the inspection can be passed at a different ITV station, and there are also changes to the dates for taking the ITV, or to the procedure for buying a car abroad. You have all the changes detailed at the following link:

But how does the new ITV affect your car’s tyres? In reality, the latest version of the Manual of Inspection Procedure for ITV Stations, version 7.2.2, which came into force on 1 February 2018, does not introduce any change with respect to the previous version, 7.1.1, in force since 1 September 2017.

The new royal decree approved last October by the Council of Ministers toughens the inspection, which will be much more thorough, so it is worth reviewing point by point the procedure that is already in force. Not only so that you don’t fail at the ITV, but also for your safety… and that of the other road users you share the road with.

Tyres: what do ITV stations check?

Photo: aeca-itv

The first thing to know is that tyre inspection at the ITV is carried out visually, dividing vehicles into three categories, depending on whether they are dedicated to the transport of people –category M–, goods –category N– or are trailers –category O–. In all cases, the ITV stations will check the following in relation to tyres:

Characteristics and dimensions

• The ITV will check that the tyres bear the corresponding approval mark. If they have been regrooved, they must include the word REGROOVABLE or bear the symbol ?.
• On the same axle, the tyres must always be of the same type –brand, model and dimensions–. You may continue to use tyres of different brands on each axle, as long as they are identical on the same axle. It is not possible to fit tyres of different dimensions on each axle unless the car is approved for it.
• Trailer tyres –marking FRT– must be fitted only on load-bearing axles; they may not be fitted on steered front axles, nor on driven axles.
• In the case of unidirectional tyres, they must be correctly installed, respecting the direction of rotation marked by the manufacturer.
• Tyres must have dimensions and characteristics matching those of the tyres listed in the vehicle’s approval certificate, or the equivalent of the reference tyre. A equivalent tyre is considered to be one with a load index equal to or higher than that of the reference tyre indicated in the approval certificate, a speed category equal to or higher, and an external diameter equal to or within a tolerance of 3 per cent, both above and below. You can check the tyre equivalence here.
• Even if a tyre is equivalent to the one approved on the technical data sheet, its use is prohibited if it involves a risk of interference with other parts of the vehicle.

Condition of the tyre

• The tyre must have wear indicators, and retain a tread depth of at least 1.6 mm. Wear must not be uneven across the tread.
• There must be no deformations in the tyre such as cuts, bulges or exposed cords.

Other checks

• If the vehicle has a tyre pressure monitoring system, the ITV will verify its correct operation, using the vehicle’s own self-diagnosis system.
• In the case of winter tyres, they must be marked with the inscription M+S, MS or M&S, and have a speed category equal to or higher than the vehicle’s maximum speed, or not less than 160 km/h. If the vehicle’s maximum speed is higher, it is compulsory to place a maximum speed warning label inside, in a part visible to the driver.

Types of tyre defect and their consequences

The following table shows the classification of tyre defects made by the ITV, which can be of three types: minor (DL), serious (DG) or very serious (DMG).

As with the other elements of the vehicle, these are the consequences of the tyre rating given by the ITV:

• Minor defects: it is not necessary to take the ITV again (except if the result is unfavourable or negative), but they must be corrected within two months of the inspection date. For tyres, there are only two cases in which a defect is considered minor: not having the maximum speed warning label on winter tyres, or the pressure monitoring system malfunctioning.
• Serious defects: this type of tyre defect renders the vehicle unfit to drive on public roads, except when driving to a workshop and back to the ITV. The deadline for this is two months from the inspection. These defects include tyres with excessive or uneven wear, incorrect fitting, or dimensions not equivalent to those of the approval.
• Very serious defects: in this case, the vehicle is banned from driving, so you will not be able to drive it out of the ITV to go to a workshop except by tow truck. You have two months to correct the defect and present yourself again for the ITV. Defects in a tyre are considered very serious when they may cause a risk of blowout, such as bulges, deformations, cracks or a broken casing.