Anyone keeping a car at Condado

Hi all, I was thinking about driving a car out to CdA and leaving it out there. Given the high cost of airport parking we dont want to have to park the car at the apartment and then get a taxi to the airport and then when we arrive back in Spain  get a taxi to condado. . Has anyone else left a car out there and how do you manage

When you drive into Alicante Airport there is a big sign saying Annual Parking, its about 370 Euros(cant remember the exact figure, but remember thinking that its about 1 pound per day!). I didnt think that was too bad. Plus I usually find flights to Alicante are cheaper than Murcia, so you could make back this money by flying to a cheaper Airport.

Just keep in mind the 6 month rule about changing to Spanish plates. Problem for non resident is the need to get an empadron and this complcates the issue for a non resident,( even though books say residencia not empadron locally they ask for empadron. Also insurance in Uk may not apply if car being left here. Spanish insurance on Uk plated car is limited .

It is not straight forward.  If you do not get it right mport tax is hefty.

However there are many UK plated cars around here that have been over for years are they legal?

Just keep in mind the 6 month rule about changing to Spanish plates. Problem for non resident is the need to get an empadron and this complcates the issue for a non resident,( even though books say residencia not empadron locally they ask for empadron. Also insurance in Uk may not apply if car being left here. Spanish insurance on Uk plated car is limited .

It is not straight forward.  If you do not get it right mport tax is hefty.

However there are many UK plated cars around here that have been over for years are they legal?

check out the local papers and consider buying from one of the spanish garages, many offer free for the life of the car parking at the airport included when you buy from them.  Also avoids the need for changing documents on vehicle after 6 months to spanish plates.

Hi Folks

                          Bought a 10 year old Seat Ibiza last August when we went over to sign for property bought from the Spanish Auto trader equivalent  only saw picture of the car and description on the net owner met us at the airport and even drove us all to the resort as could not all fit into car.Store car at Lara parking Alicante airport €300 per year, Car has been worth its weight in gold and covered some mileage without any problem.He even sorted the paperwork out for us really helpful.

Kev, Sandra

That sounds a great idea - do you have to pay anything when you collect/drop off car at Lara, or is the €300 it - also how far from the airport is it, and how do you get there?

Thanks

Ted

I seem to remember a previous thread about this a couple of months ago.  There was a company called Seguro Storage based in Balsicas that was charging around 700 euros a year. They brought the car to you at the airport and took it back to the car park once you've finished with it. Unlimited times in year for same price.

Lisa

Hi All,

Kev and Sandra's situation sounds like an ideal solution with the cost of car hire becoming ever more expensive.  How do you arrange the car insurance and is it expensive?  Do you get a reduction with it not been driven weekly when you are in the UK?  When you drop the car off is it stored in a covered place with security?  Just trying to weigh up all the options to see how much it would cost annually to keep and insure a vehicle in Spain minus the initial outlay.

Regards

Kev & Sandra,

Just a thought... Could you hire your car out to fellow condadonians when your not using it???  Dont know how much extra the insurance would cost though?

Lisa

Hi, I own and drive a citreon berlingo when we come to spain, but this is classed as a commercial vehicle although insured as a private motor vehicle it means it cost more to insure, (we have this as we need the space for wheel chair for mum)  it costs about 550 euros a year to insure, but as my policie in spain covers any driver over 27 years old it is quite useful as if we have visitors they can use the car to get about.  The yearly road tax is approx 30 euros per year and servicing is approx 50 euros per year.

hope this helps Barbara

Hi Folks

                       To answer some of your questions.

1. When we arrive/drop off the car Lara meet us with their mini bus and take us straight to the car to continue our onward journey this takes around 2min as they are next to the airport.

2.The insurance for a year is around €240 for anyone over 25 to drive.(No rebate for driven occasionally)

3.The car is parked in a 24hr secure car park and battery etc checked before arrival I drop them an e-mail when I am coming and call them when I arrive and they pick us up in the mini bus.

4.€300 all in no extra for pick up drop offs unless you have more than 10 in a year pick up drop off counts as 1

5.Would not be worth while renting out when not there probably due to wear and tear and age of car as what would I do if it did require something while someone using the car etc.

Hope this helps folks

What I was hoping someone would say was that a fellow condadion could pick me up from the airport and when they are going home I could drop them off to their departure airport and that way there is no need for paying 300 - 400 euro pa. and the car is always beside their apartment. The reality for me is that I will only be going there for a couple of weeks every year, so if I am paying that much to park I am nearly as well to hire a car. A focus estate cost me 90 euro for three days after easter but a kangoo is costing me 1300 euro for 3 weeks in august.

what are your dates in August?  cant help if we dont know, and which airport?

Barbara

I am hoping  to arrive, with the older kids, with a car on the 31st of july and then i can pick up the rest of the family from Alicante airport  on the 1st of August. We are staying for 3 weeks until the 24th of August. The plan is to leave the car there and hopefully someone will deliver us to the airport. Preferably someone who also keeps a car at condado who is arriving over between the 1st and 24th and we can pick them up from the airport as well. Sort of a pickup exchange.