It’s possible you’ve found yourself wondering whether your car needs to be inspected again after carrying out a major repair, such as repairing a cracked windshield or replacing the windshield in a car glass workshop.
You don’t need to worry at all, as this major change does not mean your vehicle needs to undergo its Technical Vehicle Inspection (ITV) again. However, there are other types of modifications that do require your vehicle to pass the ITV once more, and to change the sticker on the windshield that we are all familiar with.
At Ralarsa, experts in vehicle glass repair, we explain in which cases and with what changes in your car it’s necessary to carry out the inspection again to avoid any problems or even fines on the road.
Changes considered vehicle modifications
According to the manual from AECA-ITV — the collaborating association that brings together all the stations conducting Technical Vehicle Inspections in Spain — any change that could be considered a vehicle modification must go through the necessary legalisation procedure.
Below are some examples of the changes and replacements of car elements most likely to require a new inspection:
Changing tyres. If you install non‑equivalent tyres, you must pass the ITV to have them legalised. Such tyres are those where the size difference between the new and original tyre exceeds the 3% tolerance, or when the speed or load index is lower than the original for the car model.
Suspension springs. Since modifying the car’s height or suspension properties affects its behaviour, replacing the original springs with non‑standard replacements is considered a modification.
Body elements. In the same way that suspension changes can alter vehicle performance, so can body elements. Replacing or installing different ones will require approval. For example, both the front bumper and the bonnet play a major safety role in the event of an impact, and replacing these parts must be approved through the ITV.
Engine control unit (ECU). The ECU is a small electronic device that controls the parameters of our vehicle. Therefore, its proper functioning must be checked to avoid a possible increase in the car’s pollutant emissions, which can impact the environment and pedestrians.
Headlight lighting. Above all, it’s essential to have your car’s headlights in good condition to pass the ITV. For this, we recommend visiting your nearest Ralarsa car glass workshop, where we can polish your vehicle’s headlights if they are burned out or worn, leaving them shining like new.
Given the importance of the headlights’ condition, if you choose to change the lighting to a different type — for example, replacing classic halogen technology with the much more efficient LED — you will need to pass the ITV again.
On the other hand, if you completely replace the side or rear light clusters with approved units, you won’t need a new inspection for legalisation.
Trailer. If you need to transport heavy items and are considering installing some kind of support on your vehicle, you should know that certain installations are considered a modification under the manual’s regulations. Installing a roof rack will not require you to repeat the ITV, but installing a trailer will.
At Ralarsa, we hope this information has been useful to you and we invite you to visit our website, where you’ll find all the services we offer — from glass repair and replacement to headlight polishing — in more than 250 workshops nationwide. You can also read interesting facts about the automotive world and how to take care of your vehicle. We look forward to seeing you!
