WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF BRINGS A UK CAR TO SPAIN

This has been asked and answered many times. Either search the forum or look at:

www.spanish-number-plates.com

Hi Jim Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately I am new to the forum and not familiar with searching it. I have searched both possible related topics and also investigated the link you gave but neither came close to answering my question. Any guidance appreciated. Thank you

This might help:

https://www.costablancaforum.com/area/all/your-suggestions-and-feedback-6/jims-guide-how-to-search-the-forum-67505/

Bullet points:

Running costs are similar to the UK.

A UK car in Spain is worth very little.

There's the inconvenience of not being able to easily get out of car parks unless you've got a passenger.

There's the cost and hassle of transferring it to Spanish plates.

And, in my opinion, driving safety is considerably reduced. Just think of the problems you'd have if you were driving a left-hand drive car in the UK.

Conclusion - unless there's something special about your car, don't do it.

Because I didn't know any better, I brought my UK car when we moved here fourteen years ago. I wish I hadn't. I lost a lot of money on it.

Likewise Jim, we drove here ( after a ferry crossing ) to get our dog here but immediately sold the car to a person who was returning to the U.K. and got a LHD, it would have been a nightmare if I had been driving on my own, can you picture me having to get out and run around the car at tolls because I was on the wrong side of the car for the machines.

Like yourself, John, we drove here - with our tortoise. There was supposed to be a cat as well, but he died just before we left.

I stuck it out for six months, cursing about the safety aspects and inconvenience, and then had the choice of transfer to Spanish plates or get rid. If this forum had been up and running back then, I'm sure I'd have done differently.

For a slightly diferent view;

I drive both LHD and RHD and switch between them totally seamlesly. Been doing it for about 12 years now. 

Costs aside IMO the disadvantages of RHD are exagerrated and for the confident and competant driver pose no significant risks, presumably the insurance companies agree as they don't load RHD cars. 

Regarding tolls I wonder how many RHD owners actually drive the toll roads either often enough or alone to make it an issue even worth mentioning and for those who do then it's simple enough to get a tag which lets you sail through most without even stopping. 

Thank you everyone. It is really helpful to get different experiences. It's good to know insurance is not loaded. That was one of our fears.

 I agree  with movingon  its not a problem , I have driven lhd/rhd trucks all over Europe, the middle east , north Africa and Russia for over 40years  you just have to adjust and pay more attention to your driving and your surroundings unlike most you see on the roads.!!!

The average driver only drives and takes note of the first 20 ft in front of his nose , the lack of reading the road ahead and planning is I,m afraid sadly lacking along with driving skills , this very apparent when out out of the urbs and the motorways..!!

If some people paid a little more attention to what they are doing instead of  gesticulating to there passengers ,  using the phone , picking there nose and teeth whilst combing and  flicking there hair , eating /drinking on the run , hogging the middle  lane , the highways would be a safer place  ….!!!

Bang on. I've been driving my RHD for over 3 years, no problem. Yes, you have to be careful if you wanted to overtake,  but how often is that!! Not very.

Transferring registration isn't a hassle if you use a Gestor, and if you intend to keep your car for several years, the cost is worth it because the equivalent car in Spain will be far more expensive. 

My car is an older cherished model admittedly, not worth much in the UK and I do pay a bit more than most might on maintenance as I have it serviced at the local Mercedes main dealer. The peace of mind that brings is worth the extra cost.

Steve