The cost of vehicle towing in Spanish municipalities: OCU denounces price differences up to 300%

Saccording to the Traffic and Road Safety Lawthe municipalities have the power to remove the vehicles when they constitute a danger, cause disturbances for circulation or are improperly parked. And they don’t just do the removal and custody of the vehicles, but, having the traffic jurisdiction within its municipal term, can set rates that they deem appropriate.

The average price paid in Spanish municipalities when you go to pick up your vehicle from the deposit is 117,03 eurosaccording to a study by the Organization of consumers and users(DAD). This price corresponds to the sum of the cost of the crane (about 100 euros on average) and 25 hours of custody (about 17 euros), since a ‘courtesy’ is added.

Crane prices: too many differences

But the price differences that we pay in Spain and that the OCU denounces are very high, to the point that, comparing the provincial capitals (further Ceuta and melilla), the one that charges the most requires four times more than the one in which the removal and custody of the car is cheaper.

Specifically, the most economical in this sense, and always according to the FATHERes Melilla, that asks us 50,88 euros when we go to pick up our vehicle. They are followed in order of increasing cost. Ávila (54.84 euros), Huelva (65.50 euros), Ciudad Real (68.51 euros), and Badajoz (69.00 euros).

At the other end of the table are the provincial capitals in which the most are charged, with 165.78 euros in Vitoria, 170.97 euros in Valencia, 185.95 euros in Madrid, 198 euros in Barcelona and 205.35 euros in Zaragoza.

The OCU sees “collection eagerness”

With some parking fines that represent the 8.4% of the total of complaints filed, the controversy arises as to to what extent it is fair that the municipalities can decide these prices, since it can be understood as a decision with a collection objective. In fact, there are small towns in which municipal cranes carry out on average a small number of kilometers and in which it would seem logical to charge a lower rate than those established.

What to do if the tow truck takes it away?

In the event that a municipal tow truck has removed our vehicle, the first thing we should do is call local informationenter the portal municipal or contact the local police, since the municipal services are not obliged to put a sticker on the sidewalk indicating the removal of the vehicle (although many do).

What they are required to do is notify it within 24 hours of the withdrawal, either by email if they have it, or by burofax, certified letter or in person.

And to remove it we have to carry DNI or passporthe driving license and the car documentation (if we have it, which is not usual) in case the vehicle is ours. If it is not, we must also add a express authorization of the owner allowing us to make your withdrawal.