Buy a car in the UK or in Spain

Post reply   Start new thread
:: New - Old :: Old - New

Pages: 1 |

Forum home :: Latest threads :: Search forums
The Comments
08 Mar 2008 12:00 AM by Eva2008 Star rating in Reading. 152 posts Send private message

Eva2008´s avatar

Hi all,

We'll be moving to Spain in June and I cant decide whether to buy a left hand drive, Spain registered car in the UK and drive it over, or wait till I get there and buy one there. Can anyone give me some advice. There is a car dealer in Chesham, UK that specialises in LHD cars and some are on Spanish plates. For example, he has a Ford Focus, 2003 with 27000 on the clock for 6K. Is this a good price or would I be able to find a cheaper one in Spain? thanks.





Like 0      
08 Mar 2008 11:43 AM by jane b Star rating in Bedar, Almeria. 222 posts Send private message

jane b´s avatar

Hi Eva.

Not sure if it is a good price - I'll have a trawl through the local motoring pages and let you know.  However, you need to be sure that it has its proper Spanish documentation and a current Spanish MOT (called ITV here)

The documents are the Permiso de Circulación - white postcard size index card with car reg and name and address of registered keeper, stamped by the Jefatura de Trafico (usually a purple stamp)  The other is the technical card (Tarjeta  Inspección de Vehículos).  This is A5 size, white flimsy card weight with the word 'espana' written small in light green all over it.  The car reg no is stamped out in pin pricks.  On one side it has all the car's details, very much like our UK reg documents but no name of keeper, and on the other side it has boxes for the ITV stamps.  In your case there should be a stamp which is less than 4 years old (the first inspection is at 4 years, the next at 8 years and then I think it goes two- yearly and eventually annully). The ITV stamp of the Junta de Andalucia is green, don't know about others.  The car should also have an ITV sticker on the windshield which should say next inspection 09.

I would not even consider buying a car which is not already Spanish registered unless the deal is REALLY EXCEPTIONAL as the hassle involved is not worth it and it costs as well, particularly as you usually need someone to do it for you who knows the ropes.  If you don't register it before you get your residencia you even have to pay VAT on it.

Driving a UK registered car full time is no longer worth the risk - they are now getting very hot on this and there are many stories of cars that have been confiscated.  The law says you can only keep a non-Spanish registered car here for 6 months.   While your car bears a valid UK tax disc it is hard to prove that it has been here longer, but as soon as you no longer have a valid disc then you could be in trouble.  Of course you can't get a UK tax disc without a UK MOT.  Some people used to get voluntary Spanish ITVs and assume that they were covered, despite not paying their road fund tax either in Spain or UK, but this invalidates the insurance - no tax, technically no insurance even if you have paid for it  There was a recent instance near us where someone in that position had a bad accident which resulted in the write off of the other vechicle which was VERY expensive and the result was he had to sell his house to pay the other party.

Hope this is helpful.  See my  recent post about insurance for a good deal on Spanish car insurance.

Good luck

Jane



_______________________

www.fincalaserenidad.com




Like 0      
08 Mar 2008 12:52 PM by Eva2008 Star rating in Reading. 152 posts Send private message

Eva2008´s avatar
Fantastic response!! just the sort of information that is invaluable to me right now. thanks so much Jane B. 



Like 0      
08 Mar 2008 1:01 PM by jane b Star rating in Bedar, Almeria. 222 posts Send private message

jane b´s avatar

No problem Eva, - happy to help.  Have pm'd you with some prices from the paper, but posting this for other members' benefit.  Looks as though the second hand market is a buyers market and I am sure you can do better here - lots of choice and good prices.



_______________________

www.fincalaserenidad.com




Like 0      
08 Mar 2008 4:25 PM by AJB1 Star rating in Benahavis, Costa del.... 63 posts Send private message

Lots more really useful info Jane!

Looks like we've made the right decision to take our RHD over with all our stuff in and bring it back to sell in 6 months and buy 2 LHDs out there. (I'd already planned to sell mine). It's just reminded us we need to get the tax sorted before we go!

Thanks!





Like 0      
08 Mar 2008 7:07 PM by Roberto Star rating in Torremolinos. 4552 posts Send private message

Roberto´s avatar

Just to add to Jane's post - unless it's changed very recently, the first ITV is due at 4 years (except ex-rental cars - 2 years) and then it's every 2 years.

I would agree with Jane re: buying in UK v Spain. I think you're making the right choice.

BTW, another point to remember, even if you have fully comp., when you take your car abroad you are probably only covered third party. Worth checking to be sure.



_______________________

 

"Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please"

Mark Twain

 

 

 




Like 0      
08 Mar 2008 9:44 PM by jane b Star rating in Bedar, Almeria. 222 posts Send private message

jane b´s avatar
Quite right Roberto - I initially wrote second at two years then looked  at my windscreen and saw a sticker saying 09 and for some reason deducted 7 from 9 and got 4!!!!  Yet another senior moment among many...  Sorry for confusion folks,

_______________________

www.fincalaserenidad.com




Like 0      

Pages: 1 |

Post reply    Start new thread


Previous Threads

HI..i m new - 3 posts
Hiii. - 0 posts
mobile homes - 0 posts
Car Insurance - 12 posts
Good internet portals to search for property ? - 6 posts
Apartment rental required - 2 posts
RENTAL FOR SECURE CAR PARKING LONG TERM - NEAR MURCIA AIRPORT - 11 posts
Macarena 2 urbanisation, Orihuela Costa, Costa Blanca - 0 posts
Makes you glad to live in England ...... NOT !! (Prescriptions up to £7.10 April 1st). - 1 posts
mr billy mcmahon - 3 posts
Britain braced for 'worst storm of winter' on Monday - 21 posts
Nueva Ribera - One Properties - 5 posts
Rustica properties - 2 posts
spanish to english. - 5 posts
Unauthorised debits from Spanish bank accounts - 4 posts
testaurants orihuela costa - 15 posts
Marbella to Sevilla - 4 posts
Wanting long term let benalmadena - 1 posts
Sofa Deals - 7 posts
Water and electricity - 2 posts
paperwork on house is ok but there is an article 205 on the house ? - 6 posts
Capital Gains on UK Property - 5 posts
Santa Maria Green Hills - 2 posts
More New Kids On The Block - 5 posts
Grupo Suite - 1 posts

Number of posts in this thread: 7

DISCLAIMER:  All opinions posted on these message boards are the opinion solely of the poster and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Eye on Spain, its servants or agents.


1 |
Our Weekly Email Digest
Name:  
Email:
   


This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More information here. x