Bringing a car to Spain - Page 2

Hi Martin, there are many opinions about bringing cars to Spain and all valid and every option should be considered as information before your move is 'Everything'. In my case, I decided to buy a LHD car in the UK and have it registered her in Spain. As we have a dog we decided to drive from the UK via LeShuttle to Pinoso (Alicante). There are a few LHD dealers in the UK and the cars are at a reasonable price, certainly if you bought the same car in Spain you would be paying a few more thousand euros. Even with ITV (MOT), registration and tax it still works out a sensible option, especially if you want to drive a better model of car. As soon as you are through the euro tunnel you are driving on the right and believe me having a LHD car really helps and my advice.... also get an automatic, changing gear with your right hand takes some getting used to. Oh I am sure there will be plenty of readers out there itching to put me right but that is what I think!

I purchased a Mercedes ML320 3L Automatic - 'Hold it everyone, I can feel you all waiting to shout at your screens' but it does have a low emission figure and Tax has been calculated at only 495 Euros. The drive over which took 3 days with stops was made so much easier with this car and having driven here in Spain for a few days it was definitely the right decision for us.

HOWEVER - I made the mistake of thinking that it would be easy to get insurance for the trip and our stay in Spain until we had the ITV and Spanish registration and would have been if it was a UK or Spanish registered car! The 'Beast' as we affectionately call it, was still on Belgium plates and we purchased it not knowing the issue. After a lot of panic and everyone refusing us insurance, our dealer finally sorted out limited 2 week insurance via Holland. I have extended this to 4 weeks and now must have the car registered in Spain asap to get insurance.

So, my advice... Look at LHD cars in the UK that suits your needs, make sure it is UK or Spanish registered, the car has a full log book, serviced and MOT (although the MOT does not count here in Spain but will give you some confidence and needed whilst driving in the UK), if it has a tow bar you may need to remove it or you may need a manufacturers authentication letter for the ITV, get the car Spanish registered as soon as you arrive as you may get a tax reduction. If the car comes with a Certificate of Conformity all the better but not essential. 

I AM NOT AN EXPERT AND JUST SHARING MY EXPERIENCE AND ADVICE TO HELP IF I CAN.

Regards Paul

Cheers paul

Just to let you know, a UK resident cannot drive a foreign registered car in the UK, it is illegal. 

https://expatriates.stackexchange.com/.../how-long-can-i-drive-a-eu-registered-car-in-t...Mar 13, 2014 - DVLA advises you to transport your vehicle from the port, rather than driving it. UK residents aren't allowed to use non-UK registered vehicles on UK roads. The only exceptions are if you: work in another European Union (EU) member state and use an EU-registered company car temporarily in the UK.

👍

Don't understand the tax reduction. You will have to pay import duties unless you have owned the car for over 6 months. I believe if you have had the car over 6 months you can import with your household goods ( I could be wrong). I also bought a LHD car in the UK on UK plates. I agree on the automatic, but my wife doesn't like autos so got a manual. I'm used to LHD manual anyway.  I got a Freelander 2 considerably cheaper in the UK than in Spain including the transfer costs.

Also the insurance was cheaper in Spain. Its insured on UK plates and any driver over 25. I used Linda Rowlands in Santa Pola. Insured with Liberty Seguros.

Cheers

Just to echo all the good advice previously offered and to add one more point (which may have been covered and I may have missed)

Please don't bring a RHD car to Spain... just watch at the airport (and other car parks) when the driver has to keep getting out of his car just to press the barrier button! (ok, not the case with a passenger I know... just illustrating a point!)

We sold our pride and joy in the UK, rather than bring it over, having learned a lot from these forums and their wonderful advice, its materialistic and I was happy to move on and just have car envy when I see our old style of car in Spain... one day eh!

Hope it helps

Agree with this completely. Try paying tolls from the wrong side of the car. It's impossible.

Hi all, final input from me unless anyone wants to PM me:

Now here in Spain (Pinoso), I am having the Mercedes ML320 3L LHD Automatic. car I bought in the UK specifically for the move here, prepared for ITV. The fitted tow bar and associated electrics either need a manufacturers letter or it needs removing. I have decided to have it removed, but without the brace bar to replace it, I am having the tow hook cut off and electrics sorted. Although tinted windows and runner boards fitted which may have been a problem as no modifications are preferred, both of these are factory fitted and non laminate tints so ok for the ITV. The total cost to import and register including tax and all services is approx. €1,200.00 which added to the cost of this car in the UK still makers it an exceptionally good buy for such a great car. Believe me, driving a LHD automatic here is a pleasure.

A NOTE OF CAUSION:

1. Check out getting insurance to drive the car over and cover you until you have the ITV done. You will then need new insurance once registered.

2. Make sure your LHD dealer does actually do a service and MOT on the car for peace of mind but the MOT will not count in Spain.

3. Get an invoice of sale from the dealer with a European VAT number, not a UK VAT number if the car is not UK registered.

4. Make sure you have the original log book and ideally a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) this will save you money.

5. Avoid modified cars as the modifications may well need removing for the ITV.

6. Find an experienced service provider that will handle the ITV and registration process for you and even take your car to the ITV for you.

That's my experience and I just hope it helps anyone who is interested.

Cheers and happy driving in Spain.

Just to endorse Jim's post on Spanish Number Plates.

Earlier this year Leigh handled my importation including sourcing right hand biased headlights and their fitting.   Very knowledgeable, very professional yet a nice and friendly chap.  Glad I used his services.

Obviously using a RHD car in Spain is subjective, but personally the advantages of importing my car far, far outweighed the slight inconveniences it inherently brings.  Years ago I used to drive RHD artics in Europe full time and even then it wasn't really a problem.