Elche ITV Centre - 14h30 appointment this Thursday - should I get there an hour earlier to avoid queues?

Admittedly in Redovan not Elche but having now undergone a number of appointment ITV's in my experience thus far they have never run to time and have always been late.

Appointment or not to one extent or another you still have to queue to check in and pay so if there is any advantage to turning up early it's navigating that and then getting your car into a position where you're ready to go when called forward.

Obviously the earlier in the day the appointment is the less any delay is likely to be.

Thanks unfortunately the 'gestor' got the appointment at 14h30 as he seemed to think that it would be 'quieter' then..personally I think if it's like any doctors surgery the delays just pile up as the day goes along... I've asked him whether I should turn up an hour earlier and he said that they 'stick to the schedule' my gut feeling is to get there an hour before and see what happens.. He seemed to be of the opinion that because it was lunch time it would be quieter....not so sure about that..but I think I'd better make sure I bring along cold drinks etc just in case I'm there for a while.. It seems a very strange system compared to France, where you make an appointment, there's only your car and it's done in about an hour!  However not a lot I can do about that!! thanks for your advice!

I usually get there about fifteen minutes before appointment time, and that's just in case there's a queue in the office.

Try to park in a lane where you have room to pull out and around cars already queuing. 

When you get back to your car, leave your window open so you can hear them when you're called.

In fourteen years here I've only known one delay, and that was a day when the equipment in two of the inspection lines was out of action. To counter that, I've also been called in before I even got back to the car.

In case you've not read it:

https://www.costablancaforum.com/area/almorad%C3%AD-spain-11/driving-hire-buying-owning-car-licences-documents-itv-testing-in-almorad%C3%AD-14/jims-guide-the-itv-test-37709/

Thanks Jim, the gestor seems to be of the opinion that there's no point in turning up too early.  I intend to leave an hour before the appointment as I'm coming from El Campello and just want to take my time and allow for any 'surprises' on the motorway.

The system is definitely very different from France, there you make an appointment you leave your car and they call you an hour later!  Prices seem to be more expensive here than in Paris!  This will be my first ITV here but my car passed it in Paris in May... not that that will make any difference here!!  thanks for your help regarding the guide...something to focus on for next year when I'll be doing it all without the help of the gestor!  The gestor adviced me that they are very strict on tyres, so even though the car passed the MOT in Paris, we replaced all tyres just to avoid 'failing' it and doing all this stuff again!!

Thanks - I must admit even though we've just got a holiday home here and it's not that far from Paris, there is a bit of a difference in things running on time... and to think that I used to complain about the French!! thanks - think I'll still go earlier than the gestor suggested - I tend to be an early rather than last-minute person at the best of time..no point in getting stressed for nothing!  Perhaps I'd better bring a book to read!!

Hello,My experience with my local ITV station (Villena) is not that bad except they nit-pick a lot. As for turning up early I found that it was not necessary beyond about 20 minutes.I book an appointment for early afternoon at least 2 months in advance otherwise there are none left.  Fortunately I have never had to wait longer than 5 minutes. This last time I went I was the only one there, so try and book your appointment in August when everyone is on holiday!
Turn up on spec and you can wait half a day.
The website is not difficult to follow even if your Spanish is not good..

Thanks for this advice, useful for next year. As it turned out I left early and got there about 45 minute before hand.. which was just as well as there was a huge accident on the motorway which I managed to avoid.. The gestor was late because of this, but by that time, I'd already gone into the office, managed to be understood and was in the queue for the test...The gestor offered to drive the car etc in the test as they were really fussy weighing my car etc.. whole thing seemed to have taken about 4 hours door to door... so will see whether worth just getting the plane parking people to do it for me when I'm not here... I asked the guy about best time to go and he told me end of october..and to avoid the summer! I'm guessing it all depends on the centre!!  thanks for the advice though!