Spain's automotive workshop sector seeks update to 1986 repair regulations

The Confederación Española de Talleres de Reparación de Automóviles y Afines (CETRAA) and the Federación Española de Empresarios de Talleres de Automoción (CONEPA) have jointly submitted a proposal to the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism to amend Real Decreto 1457/1986, the law governing vehicle repair workshops. The draft aims to modernise the framework after almost four decades, addressing new technologies and business models.

Key changes include explicit recognition of mobile workshops linked to a fixed establishment, inclusion of emerging services such as camper‑van conversions, windshield replacement, and repair of electric bicycles and scooters, and clearer rules for the workshop’s technical manager. The proposal also seeks to allow electronic signing of client‑workshop documents and to codify the right to retain a vehicle until the repair invoice is paid.

If adopted, the reforms would provide greater legal certainty for repair businesses and their customers, streamline administrative procedures, and enhance road safety oversight.