Should I buy a car in Spain

Hi Ray,

Are you a UK citizen and is it a UK registered car that you're considering importing to Spain?  Within 6 months, you'll need to have it re-registered onto Spanish plates and pay the associated fees.  It would be worth you contacting a specialist who can give you a quote for doing this - although not in your area, I would recommend you make enquiries with Leigh Blann at:

https://www.spanish-number-plates.com/

You can then decide whether it's financially viable to bring it over, or buy here.

We imported our UK right hand drive car when we first moved to Spain, but it's inconvenient if you're driving on your own and need to use, for example, ticket machines on entry and exit at car parks, toll booths, etc.  We subsequently bought a Spanish LHD car.  Prices of new cars are a little cheaper here than the UK, but second hand cars here really hold their price.

Kind regards,

Kim

Very good advice, Kim. I would add that there are safety aspects too about driving a RHD car here, including less visibility on overtaking and disorientation when turning out of junctions onto main roads.

When I moved here five years ago from the UK, I sold my beloved Audi A4 to a mate and bought a new car when I got here. I'm very glad I did, I've had hassle free motoring since.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated 

If you intend to live here, it makes no sense to continue to drive a RHD car!

Buy from Frank at fwreurocars, they offer great service and good, honest vehicles.

many on here recommend his services

👍

We brought our Skoda over and plan to keep it here it's no bother driving a right-hand drive there's only one toll near us and only used it once so far no other places we go have ticket machines visibility not a problem either,we brought an old van too but we will be scrapping that and we have a very old LHD fiesta if we go to centre of city it's easier to park! I looked into it quite alot and over here the cars I looked at are actually cheaper on finance the garages get money to promote it and I don't mind paying monthly.... otherwise we might get another newer Skoda from GB in future still cheaper than buying here.

Hi Ray,

     I would follow Kim's advice and ask Spanish Number Plates for a cost estimate. You can look online at prices new or second-hand in Spain to compare against the cost of bringing you own car over. 

  I have driven a RHD car in Spain since 2018, no problems apart from the odd car park. Extra care is needed when looking left at junctions/roundabouts but then extra care is needed when driving in Spain anyhow! 

  You can insure your car in Spain on UK plates if necessary in the interim period before going on to Spanish plates. I recommend asking Abbeygate (https://www.abbeygateinsure.com/en/) and Jennifer Cunningham (https://www.jennifercunningham.net/) for insurance quotes, both good service.

Rgds,

Aitch.