Buying a car with Italian plates and Insuring etc in Spain

I am going to look at an Alfa brera in Barcelona on Saturday that is on Italian Plates. If I was to buy it what happens with insurance? I would be registering it asap onto Spanish plates. Does anyone know if it's possible to insure as it is with Spanish companies?

NO, Cars must be insured in the country of registration, same as UK and Spanish cars. Spanish insurance companies are not allowed to insure none Spanish cars, although you might find one that will take your money and smile and say it's OK, I wouldn't like to be the one in an accident with their cover. If it's on the road it should have insurance and that will include 'any driver over 25' as a rule so as long as the last owner gives you permission you could drive it on the remaining cover.

Rather impossible as the car is in Barcelona and not insured at present. The owner bought it in Italy as he said cars are cheaper there. Temporary plates then untill registered? Is that a way around it? There must be a way as thousands of Spanish are going and getting german cars due to their cheapness. Europe, a free market untill you want to buy and insure a car from another country.

I know, my A170 was from Belgium origanly but they normaly come down on a transporter.

Have a word with you local ITV station, they are usually very helpfiull

or

just wing it drive it anyway.

Thank you for so many helpful suggestions.

Surely this would be in import in the same way "some" of us Brits inport our UK registered cars onto Spanish plates - I've done it a couple of time. Bit of a phaff but doable. Best to use a Gestor I found.

As non resident, Brits are however able to drive on UK plates for 6 months before they have to inport the car officially. I think it's very different for residents though.

Carl

Carl

" I think it's very different for residents though.

Carl"

Very much so. Residents were able to drive for six months, then three but now itis NONE, drive down on your UK plates, MoT and Insurance as a visiter can but then one must immidiatly change to Spanish plates.

I was in the ITV Monday getting my BMW E30 tested when a very nice, well dress Greman lady in her late years came in and asked for an ITV on her German car. Much to her surprise she was told "NO" you must have it tested in Germany and get TUV. So no test means no valid insurance as they all want proof of roadworthyness, (test).

But back to the Italian car. as it seems to be in an unregistered state so the only way would be to get a 'special' test appointment, (Ithink thats about 150€) have a grua take it to the main ITV station and change it there which will incure vehicle value tax, import tax, admin fee, etc., we had to do it with 14 unregistered vehicles when strting up a business, one by one on a transit flat bed, right pain.

Panda    Much to her surprise she was told "NO" you must have it tested in Germany and get TUV. So no test means no valid insurance as they all want proof of roadworthiness, (test).

I have do not have any very recent knowledge but it’s always been possible, at some ITV stations,  to get an ITV for a UK reg vehicle (so probably any vehicle) however, that has no significance in UK, and as I have said many times before, an ITV / MOT only means it was roadworthy at the moment it was tested.

In the recent past I have asked insurance companies about requirements for a vehicle to have a valid ITV / MOT in relation to Insurance, there is (or at least never was, pretty sure it has not changed) any requirement. That said, if one fails to maintain a vehicle in a roadworthy condition, it invalidates the cover.

I cannot recall, in the past 26 years, that on taking up residence in Spain, one ever had more than ONE month to get a non-Spanish registered vehicle registered in Spain. However, non residents could drive a non-Spanish reg vehicle for up to 6 months in a year.  (I do not know if that law has been changed).

A person who is resident can drive a non-Spanish reg vehicle in exceptional circumstances, e.g. an emergency, a mechanic testing for a fault,  etc.  

You really must get up to date.

Current legal situation is.

RESIDENTS do no longer have a period of grace, one must reregister your none Spanish car straight away, give or take a few weeks to get it sorted.

An ITV is only valid for this purpopuse, one may NOT drive a none Spanish car on an ITV.

Insurance can only be issued in the counrty of registration, in the UK that's from a MIB company, (Motor Insurers' Bureau.), Aparently Ibex will insure Spanish, UK and Gibratar cars in Spain but I question the legality of that as it contridicts UK law.

PROOF of roadworthyness is required and unless I'm mistaken an ITV/MoT/TUV etc is the only way of doing that and back to the above.

ITV stations will not do the annual test on none Spanish cars.

 DVLA "My vehicle is covered by foreign insurance. Why can't you accept the Certificate?Insurance companies conducting business within the UK must be members of the Motor Insurance Bureau. There is nothing to prevent non-UK insurers from becoming members of the MIB but none have, chosen to do so yet. "

Goes around in circules but it doesn't matter how one wants to thonk or what is said down the pub, that is the way it is.

Sorry Panda but most of what you just posted is incorrect.   But having explained the real situation so many times I see no point in doing so again.  

That's OK, just don't find yourself in MY ITV station.

Panda31

I have searched on the internet and contacted the DVLA, my solcitor here in Spain and there is no eveidence or legislation to say that the 6 month rule has changed

please tell us where you got this information from

Panda, I said,   "I have do not have any very recent knowledge but it’s always been possible, at some ITV stations, 

just don't find yourself in MY ITV station.

PS  I will not find myself at any ITV station with a non-Spanish reg vehicle. I have lived here 26 years and had only Spanish Reg vehicles.