Moving to Spain: bring my car?

shuffles03

Hi,

Quick question.

I'm moving to Spain in a few weeks and as an option, I'm looking into the possibility of bringing my car.

Does anyone know the situation i.e. import tax etc etc for bringing a car to Spain?

Also, is there a period where one has to register the car with Spanish plates? I read online that a car can be in the country for 6 months before registration is required (just thinking from a cost perspective).

Appreciate all the help in advance.

Cheers!

beertons

Buy a car out there. They drive on the other side, so a left hand drive would be easier.

aaakev

Used cars are expensive in spain! Dealers will take your rhd as part exchange if you wamted to drive ot over amd change it. What part of spain are you going to?

shuffles03

Cheers for the replies. Yeh, expensive used cars is one of the reasons I'm looking into the cost of bringing my own (just looking). Moving to the Alicante region (possibly Xabia or Denia).

I can get a ferry from Cork to Santander one way, two people with a cabin for €393 plus it's roughly an 8 hour drive after that.

I'll need to get a car when I arrive and as used cars are expensive, this is an option I thought I would explore.

Obviously, driving on the other side with steering on the other side too is an annoyance.

What's the situation with regards to registration of my car in Spain (and everything else)?

Is it true about the 6 month policy?

Cheers again!

aaakev

There is a great garage in murcia near san Javier airport run by an English guy called Dave, they have a decent stock of cars from your run of the mill citroen hatch up to Ferrari. Bought 2 cars there in August and they were great to deal with. They will take rhd cars as they also trade in the uk. If your gonna be in alacante its not far.

http://www.specialistvehicles.com

Not sure about transferring to Spanish plates, never done it

Atlantic Dawn

If your car is currently subject to NCT it could be worth getting a fresh test done in Ireland so when you go to Spain you can just transfer it over to the ITV (their NCT) without the need for a fresh test over there.

Ubbquittious

I really don't get the song and the dance about driving a LHD in the 'wrong' country or the other way around.

Del2005

Ubbquittious wrote: »

I really don't get the song and the dance about driving a LHD in the 'wrong' country or the other way around.

Overtaking is much more dangerous. Then you have the hassle of being on the wrong side for toll booths, car park machines and automatic gates/intercoms. If going for a holiday it's not a major issue but if living it will be.

shuffles03

Yeh absolutely, this is my problem. I'm due to go in a few weeks (work proposition that cropped up out of the blue). If I had had more time in the lead up I would have been really pushing to sell my car online etc.

I have it up online now but I'm doubtful of the response in such a short space of time.

I suppose I'm down to two options now;

1. Leave my car here and ask a family member to help me sell my car.
2. Drive my car to Spain with a view to trading it in over there.

I'll need a car when I arrive so that's where the conundrum appears.

Out of curiosity, if anyone knows the in's and out's of bringing a car to Spain (import tax rules etc.) or can point me in the right direction for further info that would be great.

Cheers again for all the replies so far - much appreciated.

Car99

I'd take your car down there . Here's a bit of info

https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/expat-tips/350-driving-your-uk-registered-car-in-spain.html


http://www.car-registrations-spain.com

aaakev

Forgot to mention, buying a car in spain is a pain in the ass! You need so much paperwork, id, proof of address, residency papers (or a padron if not resident) if you will need a car immediately you will need to either rent one or bring yours because its not a quick job over there.