Six month rule on English cars in Spain

Whilst arranging to ship my car to Spain, the chap who was eventually going to take it for the ITV told me that the law had changed in Spain and that "English insurance on an English registered car in Spain is now only valid for 1 month  in Spain" which, therefore means that the UK insurance is no longer valid for 6 months. I don't think this is true, as it is the first I have heard of it.  My UK insurance company will cover the car abroad for up to 180 days.

Does anyone else know about this? 

I was intending to maintain the vehicle on English plates, with a valid English MOT and valid insurance for a 6 months trial period before deciding if it was viable option to keep it in Spain, at which point I would transfer it all to Spanish plates, etc.

We do have  an NIE number, but are not resident in Spain, and spend much less than a total of 6 months a year there, in occasional holidays of up to a maximum of 3 weeks at a time.

If the statement above is indeed true, can one obtain insurance from a Spanish based company on a car registered, taxed and MOT'd in the UK?

Any input would be welcome, or advice on who can give a definitive answer, via this forum or a private e-mail.

Many thanks.

So far as I am aware, the validity of English Insurance in Europe has always been a matter for negotiation between the client and the insurer. Again, so far as I am aware, the law hasnt changed.

Most UK policies have a 90 day / 3 month validity as standard; if you want a longer period then you should talk to your insurer; not the broker, but the Insurance Company itself. if your current UK Insurer wont give you the period you want try another UK Company.

Shop around for English Insurance it will be cheaper than out here anyway.

quote... Whilst arranging to ship my car to Spain, the chap who was eventually going to take it for the ITV...unquote...

Why submit the vehicle for an ITV test?

The ITV has absolutely no validity whatsoever for a Brit reg car. All the time the vehicle is on English plates, the UK MOT cert is the document that matters along with the current UK Road Tax. once the tax and MOT expire the vehicle is illegal throughout Europe as well as the UK.

True you will need an ITV cert when the time comes to re-register the car onto Spanish plates but until then it's just a waste of time, effort and money. If your intention really is to leave the vehicle over here, you should seriously consider changing the headlights to European ones; if your car has a single rear fog light it must be on the left hand side of the vehicle when viewed from the rear. In some cases this may entail changing the rear light assemblies. If it has a towbar fitted as an after-market accessory, take it off. These are subjects that will be required when the time comes to re-register anyway.

Hope this helps...

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SAGA will cover you for unlimited time in europe the rest I agree with the comments made by Foxbat

 FOXBAT and FPEGMAN

Thank you for both of those replies, FOXBAT and FPEGMAN. I am new on here, and can't see how to send separate thank-yous!

The vehicle's mot is valid for another 6 months, and by then I will know if it is feasible to keep the car there, if not, I will bring it home and update the MOT etc.  Our insurance policy is also specialised, and I have already cleared it with them.  If I keep the car there, I fully intend to matriculate it into Spain, with Spanish plates, lights, ITV etc., as it is a  specialised car, adapted with a compartment to carry a wheelchair and without it, I cannot transport my son.  If it is too difficult to manage driving on the other side of the road, then we will have to continue to rely on wheelchair accessible taxis, which are most inconvenient and few and far between, or just stay at home in England, which would be a pity, especially as we have already adapted our Spanish apartment.  Adapted vehicles in Spain cost the earth to purchase!

Do make sure that you have all the documentation from the conversion company and make sure you have aCertificate of Conformity ftrom them to cover the EU

It is an authorised conversion approved by the VW company and also the Dept of Motor Vehicles, but I never received an official document confirming this, only initial quote followed by contract of sale.  If I apply for one  now, it will cost £300, but I have been quoted 900 Euros for a cert. of conformity in Spain, carried out by an engineer, which also includes cost of inspection, drawings, photographs (which I have already forwarded and which have been deemed acceptable), report Cert of Conformity and gaining ITV, Spanish plates .  This is a one time cost obviously, and seems the best way to do it rather than having an English one, which would probably need translating anyway.  I must admit, I am a bit concerned about it, but think I will have to try it and see - hence the 6 months trial period.

Thanks for your advice, though!

Hi,

I took out Spanish Insurance with a company called Ibex, underwriter LLoyds of London,as Spanish insurance also covers breakdown insurance (no AA in Spain),and was we glad bringing the car back broke down near Madrid.Have now got UK car at home and have brought a Spanish car.

Cant remember where I read, as long a the owner of the car,does not drive it from more than 6 months,and off the road when not used,plus MOT tax is upto date it is legal in any EU country?

MS

About a year ago I spoke to several insurance agents, all of whom offer complete cover (12 months plus) re ITV (MOT) certs on foreign plated cars.  Whilst they are not a legal requirement, I was told that if a vehicle has a valid test cert. (ITV or MOT) then in a total loss the insurance would pay out on a market value basis, if not, then on a trade value basis.  Thus I would suggest one confirms with their agent (in writing) how you would be affected.   In saying this at a vehicle must be in a roadworthy condition.  Having an ITV or MOT  only means that at the time the vehicle was tested it was.  If something happens to change that, say damaging a tyre or smashing a headlight, then it is not legal, regardless of a valid ITV / MOT.

Anther chestnut when one mentions the time one spends in Spain and thus the rule concerning foreign plated vehicles.  At a presentation given by a prominent Marbella lawyer, he said, proving one is not resident (spends less than 6 month in Spain) they or their family can use a foreign plated vehicle for up to a total of 6 month in any year.  He said,   it is up to police to prove how long one has been in Spain. OK.  But it is not that difficult, if one has the will, to establish the facts.  Children going to school, utility bills, ATM use, Credit card etc. telephone/ASDL use, neighbours etc.

AS for the UK.  Not having a UK Excise licence (road tax) applies to vehicle which are used on 'a road maintained at public expense'.  Thus if used only on private land no excise licence (nor insurance) is needed.  If one uses a vehicle on a road outside UK, I do not believe that can be contrary to UK law.  I am also not aware of any law in Spain which relates to a UK Excise Licence.  People tend to rely on the phrase 'that the vehicle must be legal in the country where it is registered.'  As I said, if not on a public road it could be legal without an excise licence.  I do not believe that Spanish law could enforce a UK revenue raising law. and thus a valid UK Excise cannot be a legal requirement in Spain. But as I said, choose your expert for the advise you want !!!!

Incidentally.  A person, of any age, who is resident in Spain (been here 6 months or more in any 12 months)  driving on a licence which was not issued in Spain, requires a medical certificate to prove they are fit to drive.  (The cert says that it is valid for 3 months but that applies to those applying for a Spanish licence, otherwise it is valid for the length of time a Spanish licence is valid for a person of their age).  Without the medical cert they do not have a valid licence and thus are NOT covered by Spanish insurance which requires that they hold a valid licence, unlike  in the UK where it include "has held a valid licence."

Another incidentally !!    If one returns to UK with a vehicle which does not have a valid MOT, then providing you have made an appointment for a test (anywhere in UK) then you may legally drive the vehicle, from any port,  to that centre for the test.

I know its from another info site,but we can all help each other.

Insuring an EU Registered Car in Spain

If the car spends over six months of the year in an EU country other than Spain it is necessary to take out a European insurance policy with the home insurer. EU regulations mean that all vehicles must be insured in the country in which they are registered. Therefore if the car is (for example) UK-registered it cannot be insured with a Spanish company. The vehicle can, however, be insured with a British insurer in Spain, by using the Spanish branch of a UK insurance company.

As the law stands a foreign registered car can spend six months per calendar year on Spanish roads without any additional paperwork. It can remain in Spain indefinitely as long as it is garaged on private land (not left on the roadside) for six months per year. The vehicle will need to maintain a valid roadworthiness (MOT in the UK).

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, ITV Vehicle Roadworthiness in Spain

To register a car in Spain it needs to be deregistered in the country of origin then re-registered with the authorities in Spain.

This message was last edited by johnzx on 11/07/2011.

I think you may find it say " at the nearest  MOT station nearest the port of entry "

No it is ANY centre anywhere.

So arrive Dover have MOT in Newcaslte the next day.

MS51

It seems the info you have posted (from the other site)  repeats what I said in my post at 15.17. ( I do hope it has not caused any confusion).

 Excuse me for repeating, but just to make it clear:-  

Having a valid ITV or MOT  only means that at the time the vehicle was tested it was roadworthy.  If something happens to change that, say damaging a tyre or smashing a headlight, then it is not ROADWORTHY regardless of having a valid certificate and would be illegal.

Re using a foreign registered vehicle in Spain,  for any period.  I would like to make it clear that a person who is resident (including  a person who has been here for 6 months or more) cannot drive a foreign registered vehicle, except in exceptional circumstances which may include: a mechanic testing the vehicle, or maybe some sort of emergency.     

This message was last edited by johnzx on 11/07/2011.