In 2026, the mandatory periodic inspection (IPO) of a passenger car in Portugal costs €37.47 including VAT: €30.46 plus 23% VAT. IMT sets the price, and it is the same at every inspection centre on the mainland. If the car fails, the re-inspection costs €9.40.
This guide covers the 2026 car inspection price, the deadlines, what makes a car fail (including recalls, which count since March), what happens after a fail and the fine for driving without an inspection.
Car inspection price in 2026
IMT published the 2026 fees in Deliberation 1598-A/2025, in force since 1 January. The table is also on the IMT inspection types page. The official figures exclude VAT. With 23% VAT they are:
- periodic inspection, light vehicles: €30.46 + VAT = €37.47;
- periodic inspection, heavy vehicles: €45.59 + VAT = €56.08;
- re-inspection after a fail: €7.64 + VAT = €9.40;
- extraordinary inspection (for example after a serious accident): €106.34 + VAT = €130.80;
- inspection to register a vehicle (imported cars): €76.03 + VAT = €93.52;
- duplicate inspection report: €2.86 + VAT = €3.52.
Why the price is the same everywhere
Centres cannot set their own prices. Fees are fixed by type of inspection and vehicle, and IMT updates them every January in line with inflation. For 2026 the increase was 2.24%. There is no point looking for the "cheapest" centre: pick the one that suits you for time and distance.
The standard VAT rate is lower in Madeira and the Azores, so the final price there is lower too.
When to take your car for inspection
According to the gov.pt car inspection service, a passenger car is inspected:
- for the first time 4 years after first registration;
- then every 2 years until it is 8 years old;
- from 8 years old, every year.
The deadline is the day and month of first registration, shown on the registration certificate (or the old DUA). You can do the inspection in the three months before that date without losing anything. If the car was first registered on 8 May, the inspection can be done between 8 February and 8 May.
Light goods vehicles follow a different pattern: first at 2 years, then every year. All the cases are in how often a car must be inspected in Portugal.
Annual inspection is the rule for half the cars for sale. Of the 7,779 cars advertised on AUTO.MOTO.PT in October 2026, 51% are from 2018 or earlier, so they are already inspected every year or about to be.
What makes a car fail the inspection
The vehicle inspection regime (Decree-Law 144/2017) sorts defects into three types:
- Type 1: minor defect. The car passes, but the defect is noted on the report.
- Type 2: a defect that seriously affects operation, safety or the environment. The car fails and must come back to confirm the repair.
- Type 3: a very serious defect. The car may only be driven to the workshop and back to the inspection centre.
A car fails with more than five type 1 defects, one or more type 2 or 3 defects, or when it has not fixed the defects noted at the previous inspection. One detail: with a type 2 defect in the steering, suspension or brakes, the car may not carry passengers or cargo until it passes.
What to check before the inspection
IMT suggests a few simple checks before you go. They take ten minutes at home:
- wipers working and no cracked or broken glass;
- every light: side lights, dipped and main beam, indicators, hazard lights, brake lights, reversing light, fog lights and the number plate light;
- tyres with at least 1.6 mm of tread, no cuts or bulges;
- mirrors intact, firmly fixed and adjustable;
- seat belts that latch and retract properly;
- warning triangle and reflective vest in the car;
- no oil or fluid leaks under the engine.
Tyres are one of the easiest fails to avoid. If yours are at the limit, compare prices and sizes in our tyre search before booking. If a warning light is on, find out what it means first in our guide to dashboard warning lights.
Open recall: a fail since 1 March 2026
This is the change of the year. Since 1 March 2026, a car that arrives at inspection with an active, unrepaired recall fails, and this is written on the report. IMT explains the rule and the RECALL platform, where you can check for free, by number plate or VIN, whether your car has an open recall.
If it does, fixing it is free through the brand's network. Sort it out before you book the inspection.
Failed the inspection: re-inspection, deadline and cost
After a fail you have 30 days to repair the car and go back. The re-inspection costs €9.40 and only checks the defects on the report. The deadline drops to 15 days when the defects were already noted at a previous inspection or re-inspection and were not fixed.
If the car passed with type 1 defects, you can also come back within 30 days to have the repair recorded on the report.
Fine for not having an inspection
Driving a car without a valid inspection is an administrative offence with a fine of €250 to €1,250. For motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles the fine is €120 to €600. A car with a type 3 defect driven beyond the trip to the workshop can also have its identification document seized.
Forgetting the date costs far more than the €37.47 inspection. What happens in practice is in how long a car can go without an inspection.
How to book and what to bring
- Choose a centre in the IMT inspection centre search and book directly with that centre.
- Bring the vehicle identification document (registration certificate or the old DUA). Without the required documents the inspection cannot be done.
- It is best to bring the car clean and in normal running order.
- Anyone can take the car; it does not have to be the owner.
- Keep the inspection report in the car: driving without it is also fined.
Buying a used car? Ask for the inspection report
Before you buy, ask the seller for the last inspection report. If the inspection is due in a few weeks, or the report lists defects, use it to negotiate the price. For the rest of the history, such as accidents, mileage and theft, use the VIN and number plate check. Then choose from the used cars for sale.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a car inspection in Portugal in 2026?
€37.47 including VAT for a passenger car on the mainland. The price before VAT is €30.46 and it is the same at every centre.
How much is the re-inspection?
€9.40 including VAT. The deadline to return is 30 days (15 if the defects were already there before).
What is the deadline for the inspection?
The day and month of first registration, in the year the inspection is due. You can do it in the three months before.
Does an open recall make the car fail?
Yes. Since 1 March 2026, an active unrepaired recall leads to a fail. The recall repair is free at the manufacturer's dealer network.
What is the fine for not having an inspection?
€250 to €1,250 for a car, and €120 to €600 for a motorcycle.
