Buying a Spanish registered car in the UK

We are currently in the process of purchasing a property in Spain and will need a car over there.  It has been suggested that the best option is to buy a Spanish registered car in the UK and drive it over.  Does anyone have previous experience of this?  or can offer any advice?

I bought from from these people no problems, for me buying in the UK to many grey areas. then you have to drive it to Spain has it got a itv, have you got spainish insurance.is it clear of outstanding speeding fines etc.http://www.kalydautos.com/

Thanks newworld, good points will bear this in mind

Unless you are going to have it transported to Spain for you, as far as I am aware the biggest problem (and cost) will be in making it legal for you to drive yourself. As bought in England, it will have no tax, insurance or MoT, so in order to drive it to Plymouth, and from Santander to home, you would have to re-register it onto British plates just to get these documents. Then you would have to re-register it onto the Spanish system when you arrive.

I drove a British reg car over several years ago and then spent a little time re-registering it - I did it myself and found it quite easy. and there are no penalties (insurance etc) in it being RHD. Alternatively, you could source a British reg LHD car if you don't fancy driving on the wrong side!

Let me know if there is anything else I haven't thought of.

Steve 

Hi Steve,  thanks for replying I notice you are in Almoradi which is quite a coincindence because we are buying near Algorfa. It was friends who live in Spain who mentioned buying a Spanish registered car over in the UK so guess we will have more homework to do on this one.  As seems the case with most things at the moment haha.

Need a good gym in the Algorfa area as well if you know of any.

Kind Regards

Sarah

If you really want to drive then buying a Spanish car in UK is an option - not the smartest idea.

You could drive a UK car over here and then part ex it at the many car sales places.

If you are happy to fly then the best option is to buy a car when you are here, most of the the time flying is much cheaper than driving (ferry, fuel, tolls, meals, hotel if needed). You can always hire a car for a few days while you find a car it is not difficult and many showrooms are online so can view now

There are many removal companies who will transport your belongings should you be bringing them with you (fulll or part loads)

Hi Tad1966  thanks for your reply.  No probs with flying it had been suggested to us as a good idea but from all the responses clearly it isn't the case.  Although I quite fancied the idea of driving through a bit of the country and getting to know the places etc.  Will take a look around some websites.  Thankyou

Shadbolt

Good luck in whatever you choose and enjoy

Some good advice from Tadd - you certainly need to do your homework!

If you do decide to drive /transfer a uk car, two things to remember; look for a popular continental model as parts for the conversion (headlights etc) will be readily available in scrap yards at a huge saving in cost, and keep an eye on the emission levels, as this is what the SUMA tax is calculated on. This is one thing I was unaware of - my 2ltr petrol car costs me 115 euros a year, whereas my friend's 1.6 diesel Clio costs less than 40!

There used to be an excellent gym in the La Finca Golf Hotel in Algorfa, but not sure if it's still there. There is also a gym/health club in Almoradi, will try to find out more about it and let you know.

Steve

Thanks for that Steve if you get any further info on gyms it would be much appreciated

Hi all, I'm in the process of importing car number 4 into Spain.

I find Spanish second hand cars VERY expensive. The dealerships give good warranty's but that's all factored into the price.

i find no problem, driving RHD cars here, but if you can find a good price Spanish registered car in London, why not have t shipped over? I pay about £550 door to door.

The only thing to be careful of  are any existing debts on the car which you become liable for when buying a Spanish car. You won't have to pay import duty or to get the lights switched.

Carl

Hi I forgot to say you can register it in Spain for insurance and that will be valid in the UK fir up to 90 days so you have ample time to import

regards, Carl

Thanks Carl very useful information