Car washing - General Villamartin discussion - Villamartin forum - Costa Blanca forum in the Alicante province of Spain
Car Key Solutions
Espana Dream Properties
Blacktower Financial Management
AA Free English TV
Airport Service Taxi Mil Palmeras  Torre de la Horadada
Thy Will Be Done
Expat Services
Gentlevan Removals
interior building work
Jennifer Cunningham Insurances SL
Costa Blanca Building Specialists
James Spanish School
ASSSA Insurance
Gran Alacant Insurances

Join the Villamartin forum

Join the Villamartin forumMy name's Alex and this is my website all about Villamartin in Spain. Register now for free to talk about General Villamartin discussion and much more!

Car washing

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 2:17pm
30 replies3508 views8 members subscribed
Trevor

Posts: 34

7 helpful points

Location: Villamartin

Joined: 23 Jul 2016

It's illegal to use a hose to wash a car in the street but can you use a pressure washer as it uses much less water?

John56

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 2:22pm

John56

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 2995

5634 helpful points

Location: La Zenia

Joined: 7 Jul 2016

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 2:22pm

Trevor wrote on Mon Mar 11, 2019 2:17pm:

It's illegal to use a hose to wash a car in the street but can you use a pressure washer as it uses much less water?

For the sake of a couple of Euros I go the Cepsa near Punta Prima and use their car wash, they have both a drive through or a jet wash you use yourself, other petrol stations have the same set up.

https://www.google.com/maps?q=cepsa+punta+prima&rlz=1C1CHBD_en-GBES831ES831&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjs6ujjlvrgAhUJvxoKHWcpDG4Q_AUIDigB

Paolo51

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 2:53pm

Paolo51

Very helpful member

Posts: 512

533 helpful points

Location: Orihuela

Joined: 10 Nov 2017

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 2:53pm

As far as I am aware it is the actual washing of cars in the street that is illegal.

jimtaylor

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 4:04pm

jimtaylor

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 5612

8738 helpful points

Location: Mudamiento

Joined: 2 Feb 2017

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 4:04pm

Paolo, as usual, is quite correct. It's not so much the subject of washing a car on the street - it's that you're discharging something onto the public street.

Jan

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 4:05pm

Jan

Admin

Helpful member

Posts: 1135

495 helpful points

Location: Rojales

Joined: 17 Jan 2015

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 4:05pm

It's the using a hose or pressure washer that's illegal as water in Spain is a precious commodity due to drought conditions.

Even emptying a large paddling pool into the street could incur a police fine. 

Advertisement - posts continue below

jimtaylor

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 4:31pm

jimtaylor

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 5612

8738 helpful points

Location: Mudamiento

Joined: 2 Feb 2017

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 4:31pm

OK, Ray, you're as pedantic as I am! Hope you'll be satisfied if I say discharging something contaminated onto the street. Even using second-hand washing up water from the kitchen sink isn't allowed.

I always the jet wash at our local petrol station. If I move quickly, I can do Margaret's car for €1, whereas I have to spend a whole €2 on mine.

And a tip for those who haven't yet sussed it out: 

Use the wash setting to do a hot wash with detergent. Don't use the rinse option. Switch direct from wash to polish (brillo), and that will both rinse the car and put polish on it.

LeckyLes

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 6:51pm

LeckyLes

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 2079

2230 helpful points

Location: Cabo Roig

Joined: 3 Aug 2018

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 6:51pm

Hiya Trevor, the straightforward answer to the simple question you have asked is Yes, it is illegal in Spain to wash a vehicle in the roadway either by hosepipe or by pressure washer.  It is also illegal to carry out routine fixing of your vehicle on the roadway too.

If you have access to a driveway, either your own or someone else then hosepipe away as you like , because as far as I am aware this is allowed.

LeckyLes.

Movingon

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 7:16pm

Movingon

Super helpful member

Posts: 1857

1607 helpful points

Location: Albatera

Joined: 7 Feb 2018

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 7:16pm

Ah the joys of living in a park home, I can wash my car or service/repair it whenever I feel like it 😁

Jan

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 7:27pm

Jan

Admin

Helpful member

Posts: 1135

495 helpful points

Location: Rojales

Joined: 17 Jan 2015

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 7:27pm

LeckyLes wrote on Mon Mar 11, 2019 6:51pm:

Hiya Trevor, the straightforward answer to the simple question you have asked is Yes, it is illegal in Spain to wash a vehicle in the roadway either by hosepipe or by pressure washer.  It is also illegal to carry out routine fixing of your vehicle on the roadway too.

If you have access to a driveway, either your own or someone else then hosepipe away as you like , because as far as I am aware this is allowed....

...

LeckyLes.

Not sure you can hosepipe or pressure wash in a driveway as the water will still run into the road and if you are unlucky enough to have a police car come by, they can fine you.

Alice2

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 7:45pm

Posts: 134

33 helpful points

Location: Playa Flamenca

Joined: 23 Aug 2018

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 7:45pm

Hi,  was wondering if this rule also applies to private community road.

Sign up for free or login to reply to this topic

Want to reply to this topic? Login or register for free to post your message:

Find more General discussion topics from a particular area:


Register for free!

Login to your account

Car Key Solutions
Espana Dream Properties
Blacktower Financial Management
AA Free English TV
Airport Service Taxi Mil Palmeras  Torre de la Horadada
Thy Will Be Done
Expat Services
Gentlevan Removals
interior building work
Jennifer Cunningham Insurances SL
Costa Blanca Building Specialists
James Spanish School
ASSSA Insurance
Gran Alacant Insurances
Advertise your business here
Advertise your property
Help with my computer