Trucks weighing more than 3.500 kg are at the top of the list of vehicles with the most failures in the Technical Inspection of Vehicles (ITV) in Spain. This was highlighted by the Spanish Association of Collaborating Entities of the Administration in the ITV (AECA-ITV) in a recent information meeting. This fact underlines the urgent need to increase maintenance operations in the industrial park to improve road safety.

The State of Industrial Vehicles at the ITV

According to the data presented by AECA-ITV, heavy trucks are the vehicles with the highest rate of rejections, with 28,8% failing the inspection on their first attempt. Buses and coaches are in second place, with 27,2% failing, while vans and light trucks (less than 3.500 kg) complete the podium with 25,6% of unfavourable results. This situation leaves the industrial vehicle sector as the most affected, compared to 17,7% for passenger cars and 13,8% for agricultural vehicles.

Main defects in the ITV for Industrial Vehicles

The most common faults in the ITV vary depending on the type of industrial vehicle:

• Vans up to 3.500 kg: 24% of rejections are due to lighting and signalling problems. This is followed by defects in wheels and suspension (21%) and polluting emissions (14%).
• Trucks and tractor units weighing more than 3.500 kg: The main reason for rejection is the braking system, accounting for 29% of failures. Other common defects include lighting and signalling (20%) and exterior conditioning problems, such as bodywork and chassis (13%).

Reflection on the state of the Industrial Vehicle fleet

The high percentage of failed industrial vehicles highlights the importance of carrying out adequate maintenance to comply with the requirements of the MOT and ensure road safety. The situation of trucks, buses and vans in Spain highlights the need to promote preventive maintenance policies, especially in a market where wear and tear is considerable.

Comparison with other vehicles

The AECA-ITV data also show that the condition of industrial vehicles is more worrying compared to other segments. While 17,5% of ambulances and taxis fail the ITV on the first attempt, the percentage rises to 28,8% in the case of heavy trucks. This reinforces the call for more frequent maintenance of goods and passenger transport vehicles.