MOT expired on car in Spain, we're stuck in UK - how to get car back/legal to drive?

annturner28 wrote on Mon Mar 8, 2021 12:00pm:

We were supposed to drive our UK registerered car back to UK last March for its MOT but because of COVID left it in Spain and came back to the UK on the plane - haven't been able to get back since for various reasons. So now the MOT has expired and the car can't be driven as needs an MOT for insu...

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...rance. Oops.

We know we can't get a UK recognised MOT in Spain. The car is an old banger and we only come for 3 to 6 months (maximum) a year so registering in Spain is not a great option. Nor is selling/scrapping it!  Any ideas gratefully received.

Kelvin1960 wrote on Mon Mar 8, 2021 1:21pm:

I think your realistic, legal options are 

(a) get it transported to the UK for a new MOT

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(b) re-register it in Spain

(c) scrap it and buy a new one.

Transportation will cost around £650 (that is what I paid a few years ago), assuming the services are running

Re-registration ... difficult to say, but not likely to be any cheaper. There are inspection costs, lights to change, and taxes to pay - depending on value (when new), age and pollution rating.

RobertBB wrote on Mon Mar 8, 2021 1:49pm:

Sorry, cannot offer a solution but if you can (due to it being in Spain) you need to declare the vehicle SORN via the DVLA website, i would have thought the easiest way would be to try and sell it or scrap it.

Kelvin1960 wrote on Mon Mar 8, 2021 1:21pm:

I think your realistic, legal options are 

(a) get it transported to the UK for a new MOT

Read more...

(b) re-register it in Spain

(c) scrap it and buy a new one.

Transportation will cost around £650 (that is what I paid a few years ago), assuming the services are running

Re-registration ... difficult to say, but not likely to be any cheaper. There are inspection costs, lights to change, and taxes to pay - depending on value (when new), age and pollution rating.

annturner28 wrote on Mon Mar 8, 2021 1:59pm:

Don't suppose you remember who you used to transport vehicle back to the UK?

Kelvin1960 wrote on Mon Mar 8, 2021 6:15pm:

We used these guys. They were very good.

https://www.cartranspain.com/portal/

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Good luck

NickB wrote on Tue Mar 9, 2021 8:37am:

I was in the same situation last year, but due to Covid there was an MOT extension. Not sure if this still exists this year?