Foreign registered cars - Is there a crackdown going on?

I have seen a lot of police (local and Guardia Civil) stopping foreign plated cars over the last few weeks here in Sitges. We are still waiting for our residency papers, so cannot register our car locally yet. I am wondering what will happen if we get stopped.

Also, it seems the process to register a foreign car in Spain is difficult and expensive. We are thinking of keeping this car in Switzerland (where we have a business) and buying a 2nd hand car here in Spain (or even a long term rental). We have been here for a few months and will likely only stay another year.

Appreciate any thoughts or general advice.

keatsfan

I would buy a spanish plated car, second hand cars are expensive in Spain but some people returning back to their own countries are often selling them reasonable enough.

 To keatsfan you have 6 months in which to transfer your car on to Spanish plates.  It is not that expensive unless you need new headlights so they point the right way,  this depends on the car some have adjustable headlights or are centered and so do not need adjusting the car we bought over had centered lights and did not need changing.  As for the police cracking down I would think this is happening as they have to raise more money and this is a easy way to do it.  

 My car is a '98 BMW 328i Cabrio. I imagine the headlights are ok. Is there any way to know what the registration costs (barring anything unforeseen) will be before the registration process? I ask, because we have the option of leaving this car in Zurich and buying a 2nd hand car in Barcelona. 

2nd hand cars are a bit pricier in Spain, but if it saves us time and expense to buy one here, then so be it.

Thanks all!

 ITV (MOT) is around 50 euros and you will have to pay for new plates ours were about 25 euros but to be honest it should be cheaper to replate the car than buy a second hand one.   If you do decide to bring the car to Spain go to the British consul in Alicante and get a Baja as this will stop you having to pay import duty.  The baja is a document that show you have bought thecar here for your own use and not with the intention of selling it on, this means you can not sell it for 12 months.  Hope this helps.