Buying and running a car in Spain

Is there any benefit in buying and registering a left hand drive car in England or buying and registering it in Spain? Also would it need to be insured in UK or Spain?
Apologies if this has been asked before.

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

If bought and registered in the UK it will be on UK plates. Technically illegal to keep and use the car for more than six months in Spain without transferring to Spanish plates and paying the appropriate taxes although many people do it on the CDS. Occasionally police or Guardia will stop you for spot check - problems if you get stopped too often or they become aware it is here permanently. The car should be taken back to the UK every year for its MOT - very few do - thus insurance is invalid if the car should have an MOT and is being driven without one. Second hand cars here seem to hold value better than UK - you dont find the car supermarkets here and the manufacturers dont seem to pre reg cars here to get sales figures up so cars are not heavily discounted. Car hire companies move cars on when they are about 6 months old and bargains can be had depending what you are looking for.

Rgds

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

Hi Smiley

Thanks very much for that info, very useful.

Regards

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

Who are the reputable car dealerships in the Murcia region?  I need to purchase a car when I relocate to the Murcia region but unsure of where to get an idea of prices, motor groups etc?  Also, if bargins can be had from car hire companies - do they sell direct or through a third party?  HELP!

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

Baharry, there was a discussion not long ago about bringing a car from the UK. Link to it here: http://www.eyeonspain.com/Secure/ForumPosts.aspx?thread=731&dev=FB11&name=General%20chit%20chat It got a little off track, like many threads, but it's worth reading the earlier posts on it.

The general concensus of opinion seems to be that it's not worth the bother (my opinion too). With regards to your question about insurance, bear in mind that if you insure it in the UK fully comp, when you bring it to Spain you may only have 3rd party cover (and vice versa) so that is another reason for regestering and insuring it where you plan to use it most. 

If you plan to buy a new car, I think prices are now not much different to UK. Although the list prices may be lower, you will find that dealers have very little leeway for bargaining - in fact, some of them will think you are a barmy foreigner even for asking for a discount. When I bought a new car, just getting a free baseball cap from the dealer was like getting blood from a stone. having said that, it does pay to shop around once you've decided on a model. Occassionally you may chance upon a pre-reg vehicle - I got lucky once and bought the manager's car, but only because he fancied a new one for himself after 6 months!

Buying a second hand car here can be a stressful experience, especially first time. I personally would not recommend buying privately unless you are sure what you're doing and understand the paperwork, or if you know the seller. Most new car dealers will have some second hand stock. Smiley mentioned car hire companies as a good source of fairly new and regularly maintained cars. Ailmnoty, I don't know the Murcia region, but a quick search found this one: http://www.victoriacars.com/car_sales.html I like their "try before you buy" pitch. Other than that, wait for the many forum members in your area to start posting their personal recommendations!

If you want to get some idea of typical prices, try searching something like MSN database: http://autos.msn.es/compra/ocasion.aspx in Spanish but with self explanatory drop down menus to find the make and model etc you are interested in.

Good Luck!

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

Cant really add to Roberto (this is getting far too common are yoiu sure youre not a Virgo) - tread with EXTREME caution when buying used here especially private - many many cars are clocked and they are not as hot on it as the UK - the Spanish second hand market tends to hold its value more than the UK as there is no pre registering here - so many cars can seem costly even though a couple of years old by comparison with the UK. Hire car companies can be a good source but would probably have the car checked over first as who knows what has happened during its hire time - more prestige models tend to be got rid of younger as the companies cant utilise them all year round - Focus 307's etc generally kept on the books for longer - VWs, Beemers etc turned quicker although officially they cannot sell to you within 2 year period unless they pay the import tax so might have to scam a long term rental contract and transfer the registration when its 2 years old - thus avoiding the import duty - some of the more upmarket companies do that. If you go that route be sure of the hire company you buy from. Hire cars are due their ITV (MOT) when 2 years old as opposed to 4 for a brand new car bought from the dealer.

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

Didn't know that bit about ITVs for hire cars, Smiley. Definitely NOT a Virgo then!

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

Roberto / Smiley - many thanks, better start my homework early!

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

 

 

This message was last edited by JeansSis on 5/17/2007.

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

Hi everyone

I've read with interest all the posts on taking English cars to Spain and it's made me decide that it's too much hassle! However, I really need to sell my English car now because, if I don't, it'll be worth nothing!

The problem is that my partner and I probably won't be able to move out permanently to Spain until the summer. (At the moment it seems that Hacienda Riquelme will never be ready!) So I've been wondering about buying a Spanish registered left-hand drive car in the UK. There are at least a couple of car companies who specialise in them and who will take RHD in part exchange. I have a NIE but no "proper" Spanish address, the NIE being "domiciled" at my solicitor's office! I therefore wonder how I would manage about insurance.  I presume also that I would have to take the car back to Spain within 6 months. If I would be forced to import it to England first then it's a non-starter.

Any thoughts anyone?

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

Sounds like a viable option, but I would be extremely careful to make sure that these "specialist" companies can handle the necessary paperwork and that you get the car properly registered in your name with Trafico in Spain. Also, is there any way to check that these cars do not have outstanding fines or taxes that will become your debt if you buy them? Don't want to put a downer on things, but I'd be more than a little wary.

I wish you the best of luck.

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

Hi Roberto - thanks for your reply. You make a very good point, one that hadn't even occurred to me. I'll let you know how I get on.

Sally

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

hi Smiley and Roberto, im coming on 30 may, big move dat. did you know of any car rental companies who sell cars,i was going to bring over a LHD or RHD UK reg car then pay to have it put on spainish plates, for healthy insurance purposes and peace of mind, if anyone can recommened a good car company id appreciate it....im at a lost end here, the wife thinks i have sorted it, well i nearly had today, was going to buy a freelander, 2001 on RHD, but a little nervous to then come to spain and have to pay extortionate taxes to get it on spanish plates, now im simply thinking to buy a LHD spanish registered car. The only reason i was going for the uk reg was to save cash, as im under the impression spanish second hand cars are rather expensive, or should i say more so than the uk, its an awful muddle one can get in, as sometimes the cheaper option does look more exciting and attractive, leading to so much more problems, as Smiley quite rightly informs us, if its a UK reg car, to maintain insurance it would have to go back to the uk for its MOT, which just feels me with dread thinking about it, what hassle!  just to save a few quid,...Buying in Gibralter isnt as cheap as it used to be for sure, Holland is very cheap on new cars to export, Denmark has an awgift tax, which is for danish citizens  70% on a new car, ( im just leaving copenhagen), so im now thinking rent a car for a month, in this time search for a good second hand LHD soanish reg car, but is their choice guys?  if anyone can point me id appreciate it, i have been reading all the threads on this topic, also, the wife is 38, in all your opinions whose the cheapest insurance , is it abbeygate or Linea?

 

apart from that i will be on Spanish soil, 30 May, the big move date looms closer, im bringing my dr and shrink and medication, :=)   apart from that, Copenhagen is mildly warm, i was in the UK last week visiting the parents on the Isle of Wight, not much to report,  crime in the newspapers the same, depressing, Blair on his way out, terrorists getting arrested, Gordon Brown still has no character, David Cameron still looks like a choir boy, my Train from Gatwick to Portsmouth Harbour was typically dirty and late, but there is always a free newspaer left on the seat ( a rather small bonus); the tea lady still works in the cafe at Portsmouth Harbour!!   and Britain still doesnt attract me ,thank god.....

once left, never to return  :)

 

see yaaaal soon

 

Jefferz   

if there is spelling mistakes i couldnt be assed tonight to re read what dribble ive no doubt written,_=)

 

( if anyone has MTV there is a funny guy called Strutter on late i think sat nights, years ago he was called Dennnis Pennice, he is a joker for sure and entertaining)

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

Jeff, I personally would think you're best renting a little run around when you first get here, and then buying a 2nd hand motor locally, on Spanish plates, from a reputable dealer who can also take care of all the paperwork for you. I honestly couldn't tell you how prices compare to the UK (or anywhere else), but I don't think there's that much in it, esp. after you take into consideration all the cost and hassle of bringing a car from elsewhere & re-registering etc. You don't mention (or I forgot) where you're heading for, but I'm assuming CDS since you mention Gib? You ask if there's choice - loads. I used to live on Mallorca where choice was seriously limited - when I moved down here it was like being a kid in a candy store - haven't seen so many used car lots since I was last in Florida! As an example, have a look at http://www.yellowcar.com/venta.php?idioma=en Have no idea about their reputation, but at least you can browse their listings to get an idea of what's available at what price etc. Maybe you can rent before you buy from them?

As for insurance, again, no idea (am I being any help at all?) who is cheaper/better. I'm insured with Linea Directa. You can get a quote online, so pick a likely car from the previous site then get a quote from https://www.lineadirecta.com/LDAWeb/home/Home.faces I think you can only do it in Spanish, but you'll figure it out!

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

Hi Jeff

Patrick and I bought our cars from the rental company Marbesol. At the end of summer they get rid of many of their cars as demand is lower in the winter months. Our VWs were 2 or 3 months old with about 5000kms on the clock. The price agreed was about the same as it would have cost for a 1 year old, higher-mileage car from a dealership. Tiny scratches were polished out and dents removed. The paperwork did involve taking on a long term contract but the transfer was handled by the company and the whole transaction was fairly straightforward. They supply prestigious motors such as Range Rovers, BMWs and Mercs, as well as Puntos and Focuses.

Good luck!

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

as usual thanks Roberto and Rose11  gems and stars, thanks for your wisdom,  >)

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

Hi  Jeff . As the two post before me say the rental companys are the best place for a car thats not very old with low milage  and they will sometimes include all the paperwork in the price as they need to sell them off each year, as regards the prices from garages for second hand they can be double the uk price (they dont rust much we are told)    so the ex rentals are a good buy.  YELLOWCARS  are ok if you are going that way but there are lots around the Marbella / Malaga area  but all areas have there big rental companys .   Best of luck   Rosi n.

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

thanks Rose i think im going to buy some roller skates for the wife, skateboard for the dog,  and one of those space hoppers!   the bouncy ones,  so i can hop hop hop to the Drs   >)

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

Does anybody know what is required to use a UK reg motorbike on a permanant basis in spain

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

A Helmet?

 

 

sorry  couldnt resist that one.......

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know