EU Proposal: Vehicle ITV - Outstanding Mandatory Vehicle Recalls
Posted: 10 Sep 2026 17:00
https://www.autopista.es/noticias-motor ... 0_102.html
Google translate, minus image:
The vehicle inspection station (ITV) will no longer give you the sticker or pass your car if it does not meet a new mandatory requirement
New European Union regulations on vehicle inspections will stipulate that vehicles with outstanding mandatory recalls will fail the mandatory technical inspection, a regulation that will affect millions of cars across the continent. What implications will this regulation have for car buyers and owners?
Outstanding recalls could prevent a vehicle from passing its mandatory technical inspection (MOT) in Europe, even if the car is in good working order. A proposal from Brussels that directly affects the inspection sticker is currently under review in the European Parliament and will not be a regulation affecting only a few cars. On the contrary.
More than half of the cars with recalls do not go to the workshop
According to the latest industry data, nearly 3 million vehicles each year (2.84 million in 2024, for example) are affected by recalls and are required to take them to a repair shop. Of these, it is estimated that only slightly less than half (42.2% in Spain) ultimately take the vehicle to a repair shop to voluntarily rectify the problem, undoubtedly leaving hundreds of thousands of cars on the road with defects.
To avoid this serious problem, which often affects safety, the European Parliament's Committee on Transport (TRAN) is studying a reform of the regulations on periodic vehicle inspections. The Committee already adopted a negotiating position on this matter in May 2026, and it is now hoped that this process will lead to legislation.
Without resolving the recall issue, the cars will not pass the MOT test
The key point of this new review would be that vehicles with an outstanding mandatory recall would not be able to pass the test. This refers to repairs or software updates required primarily for safety reasons. The logic is clear: the vehicle inspection (ITV) would act as a final safety barrier, similar to the non-renewal of vehicle type approval due to a known issue.
For owners, this would mean that not only will the vehicle's defects matter for obtaining an up-to-date MOT sticker, but also the status of any recall campaigns. And of course, this regulation could also become a problem for the used car market, where many cars are sold without being up-to-date in this respect and could end up causing problems for future buyers. It will be advisable to first ensure that the vehicle is "clean" before making any transaction.
Although in many countries, such as Spain, ignoring a recall or failing to attend these safety campaigns has not been a legal obligation, in other EU member states, such as Germany, not addressing these issues can have consequences. If owners do not respond, the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) can contact the local vehicle registration authorities, who can then prohibit the vehicle from being driven. In other words, the vehicle could be taken off the road.
According to 2025 data, the KBA (German Federal Motor Transport Authority) recorded 676 vehicle recall campaigns in Germany, affecting a total of 1.78 million vehicles. It was also reported that 74,000 vehicles were taken off the road that same year because recall notices had been ignored.
Therefore, the EU regulation will not entail a complete overhaul across Europe, but rather a tightening of the rules by addressing a different issue: instead of focusing on administrative procedures, the problem could be directly related to the vehicle inspection sticker. Those driving without a valid sticker will risk additional fines.
What homeowners should check now
The crucial factor is whether a recall is classified as mandatory and relevant to safety, and whether it has been documented as "completed." The manufacturer's "stop driving" instruction is the strictest option: it means the car must no longer be driven.
This is particularly problematic in practice when repairs are not possible in the short term, for example, due to a lack of spare parts or because workshops are overwhelmed. If the vehicle fails the inspection due to an outstanding issue, additional costs may arise, such as those for a new inspection.
Buyers of used cars should therefore exercise particular caution, as we have already mentioned: the previous owner may conceal factory defects without them being noticeable in daily use. This can lead to an unpleasant surprise, at the latest, during the mandatory technical inspection, which in the worst-case scenario could result in the car failing.
In short, the European Parliament's proposal is not yet legally binding, but it clearly aims to impose stricter penalties for missed mandatory vehicle inspections. It remains to be seen when it will be approved and when it will take effect, as there seems to be a clear consensus that it will become a new regulation in Europe.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE UPCOMING NEW VEHICLE INSPECTION REGULATIONS
What is the new requirement proposed by the EU for passing the vehicle inspection (ITV)?
The new legislative proposal from the European Parliament requires that vehicles have completed all mandatory safety recalls or pending software updates in order to pass the technical inspection and obtain the sticker.
Can I fail the MOT test if my car is in perfect condition but has an outstanding recall?
Yes. Even if the car does not present any direct mechanical faults during the test, having an outstanding mandatory recall campaign will be sufficient reason for failing the inspection.
Why is the European Union seeking to tighten these regulations?
It is estimated that only 42.2% of affected cars voluntarily go to a repair shop after receiving a notification from the manufacturer. The measure aims to act as a safety barrier to prevent hundreds of thousands of vehicles with factory defects from continuing to circulate.
How does this measure affect the purchase of used cars?
If you buy a used vehicle with an unresolved recall from the previous owner, you will fail the vehicle inspection (ITV). It is recommended to verify that the car is free of any outstanding recalls before signing any sales contract.
Is this regulation already in force in Spain?
It is not yet legally binding. The proposal is currently being processed in the European Parliament after the Transport Committee established a negotiating position in May 2026, so its final implementation will depend on the definitive legislative text.
Google translate, minus image:
The vehicle inspection station (ITV) will no longer give you the sticker or pass your car if it does not meet a new mandatory requirement
New European Union regulations on vehicle inspections will stipulate that vehicles with outstanding mandatory recalls will fail the mandatory technical inspection, a regulation that will affect millions of cars across the continent. What implications will this regulation have for car buyers and owners?
Outstanding recalls could prevent a vehicle from passing its mandatory technical inspection (MOT) in Europe, even if the car is in good working order. A proposal from Brussels that directly affects the inspection sticker is currently under review in the European Parliament and will not be a regulation affecting only a few cars. On the contrary.
More than half of the cars with recalls do not go to the workshop
According to the latest industry data, nearly 3 million vehicles each year (2.84 million in 2024, for example) are affected by recalls and are required to take them to a repair shop. Of these, it is estimated that only slightly less than half (42.2% in Spain) ultimately take the vehicle to a repair shop to voluntarily rectify the problem, undoubtedly leaving hundreds of thousands of cars on the road with defects.
To avoid this serious problem, which often affects safety, the European Parliament's Committee on Transport (TRAN) is studying a reform of the regulations on periodic vehicle inspections. The Committee already adopted a negotiating position on this matter in May 2026, and it is now hoped that this process will lead to legislation.
Without resolving the recall issue, the cars will not pass the MOT test
The key point of this new review would be that vehicles with an outstanding mandatory recall would not be able to pass the test. This refers to repairs or software updates required primarily for safety reasons. The logic is clear: the vehicle inspection (ITV) would act as a final safety barrier, similar to the non-renewal of vehicle type approval due to a known issue.
For owners, this would mean that not only will the vehicle's defects matter for obtaining an up-to-date MOT sticker, but also the status of any recall campaigns. And of course, this regulation could also become a problem for the used car market, where many cars are sold without being up-to-date in this respect and could end up causing problems for future buyers. It will be advisable to first ensure that the vehicle is "clean" before making any transaction.
Although in many countries, such as Spain, ignoring a recall or failing to attend these safety campaigns has not been a legal obligation, in other EU member states, such as Germany, not addressing these issues can have consequences. If owners do not respond, the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) can contact the local vehicle registration authorities, who can then prohibit the vehicle from being driven. In other words, the vehicle could be taken off the road.
According to 2025 data, the KBA (German Federal Motor Transport Authority) recorded 676 vehicle recall campaigns in Germany, affecting a total of 1.78 million vehicles. It was also reported that 74,000 vehicles were taken off the road that same year because recall notices had been ignored.
Therefore, the EU regulation will not entail a complete overhaul across Europe, but rather a tightening of the rules by addressing a different issue: instead of focusing on administrative procedures, the problem could be directly related to the vehicle inspection sticker. Those driving without a valid sticker will risk additional fines.
What homeowners should check now
The crucial factor is whether a recall is classified as mandatory and relevant to safety, and whether it has been documented as "completed." The manufacturer's "stop driving" instruction is the strictest option: it means the car must no longer be driven.
This is particularly problematic in practice when repairs are not possible in the short term, for example, due to a lack of spare parts or because workshops are overwhelmed. If the vehicle fails the inspection due to an outstanding issue, additional costs may arise, such as those for a new inspection.
Buyers of used cars should therefore exercise particular caution, as we have already mentioned: the previous owner may conceal factory defects without them being noticeable in daily use. This can lead to an unpleasant surprise, at the latest, during the mandatory technical inspection, which in the worst-case scenario could result in the car failing.
In short, the European Parliament's proposal is not yet legally binding, but it clearly aims to impose stricter penalties for missed mandatory vehicle inspections. It remains to be seen when it will be approved and when it will take effect, as there seems to be a clear consensus that it will become a new regulation in Europe.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE UPCOMING NEW VEHICLE INSPECTION REGULATIONS
What is the new requirement proposed by the EU for passing the vehicle inspection (ITV)?
The new legislative proposal from the European Parliament requires that vehicles have completed all mandatory safety recalls or pending software updates in order to pass the technical inspection and obtain the sticker.
Can I fail the MOT test if my car is in perfect condition but has an outstanding recall?
Yes. Even if the car does not present any direct mechanical faults during the test, having an outstanding mandatory recall campaign will be sufficient reason for failing the inspection.
Why is the European Union seeking to tighten these regulations?
It is estimated that only 42.2% of affected cars voluntarily go to a repair shop after receiving a notification from the manufacturer. The measure aims to act as a safety barrier to prevent hundreds of thousands of vehicles with factory defects from continuing to circulate.
How does this measure affect the purchase of used cars?
If you buy a used vehicle with an unresolved recall from the previous owner, you will fail the vehicle inspection (ITV). It is recommended to verify that the car is free of any outstanding recalls before signing any sales contract.
Is this regulation already in force in Spain?
It is not yet legally binding. The proposal is currently being processed in the European Parliament after the Transport Committee established a negotiating position in May 2026, so its final implementation will depend on the definitive legislative text.