Millions of people use buses and coaches to travel from their homes to their jobs or even to vacation destinations. However, these transports are usually one of the most rejected during technical vehicle inspections (ITV) due to his antiquewith an average of 15.1 years, and the serious defects that they present.
According to a study published by the Spanish Association of Collaborating Entities of the Administration in the Technical Inspection of Vehicles (AECA-ITV), in Spain there are more than 3,570 million travelers who use buses and coaches. A figure that is equivalent to more than 9.7 million daily trips. This level of use, added to their age, has caused these transports to occupy the second place among vehicles in worst condition at the national level, according to data from the Ministry of Industry and Tourism.
Only 73% of buses and coaches pass technical inspections on the first attempt
The antique of Spanish coaches and buses is located in the 15.1 years on average. A worrying fact if we take into account the results of the study “Contribution of the ITV to road safety and the environment”, prepared by the Carlos III University, in which it was confirmed that vehicles with an age older than 11 years They were involved in a highest number of road accidents.
Likewise, these vehicles are characterized by carrying out long trips and hours of driving. According to AECA-ITV, this type of transport travels an average of 482,000 kilometers. Both factors have caused only 73% to pass technical vehicle inspections on the first attempt. He 27% remaining should be temporarily removed from circulation to solve the problems and incidents that have been detected by the ITV technicians.
An average of 2.7 serious or very serious defects are detected, such as speedometer or brake failures
According to the data offered by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, analyzed by the AECA-ITV, in the inspection processes an average of 2.7 serious or very serious defects per unit. These incidents usually belong to the “other” category of the ITV Stations Inspection Procedure Manual, which include incidents in the lspeed imitatorin the tachograph or even unauthorized reforms. Although it is also detected a 15.7% brake failures or in lighting and signaling, by 12.68%, among other cases.
The main consequence of these defects is the increase in accident cases starring this type of vehicles. It should be remembered that road accidents differ from accidents in that the first can be prevented and are usually caused by lack of caution. According to the data of the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT)in 2024 they were registered 2,855 cases in which buses were involved; while in 2023 there were 2,662 cases.
Yet, Guillermo Magazmanaging director of AECA-ITV, “bus transport remains one of the safest“, although it warns that “we cannot ignore the impact that the age of the park has on road safety and the environment.” For this reason, they recommend that this type of vehicles pass an iTechnical inspection one month before the expiration date and adhere to the schedule rigorously to avoid risks.