teuchterpete

Just doing some research before the big move next year. I am looking at buying a small campervan, for everyday use/summer holidays. I dont fancy getting one in the UK and having all the fuss of transferring to Spanish reg, not to mention the R.H.D problem.
Does anybody know where I could have a look around. Andalucia would be best but Cataluna would also be OK. I could possibly have a browse this summer if there are places in Andalucia.
Thanks Pete

petew

On the whole I think you are right about buying in Spain. The big problem is that prices are very high!

Fredbargate

Just Googled autocaravana and found this near Malaga, there are probably others

http://english.autocaravanasdelsol.es/

Mitzyboy

Well, Ive looked into this and Ive got to tell you the price of motorhomes in Spain is horrendous.

I havent done it, but I came to the conclusion that the most cost effective option is to buy in the UK, and pay a gestor to do the transfer for you when you get here. One thing ...... dont buy a RHD motorhome in the UK, its fraught with all kinds of problems when you get here.

LHD motorhomes are available in the UK, and iirc they had a good selection at BROWNHILLS and if you get an EU certificate of conformity with it, its a plus.

From when I was looking, you can buy in the UK, matriculate with a gestoria here, and still come out well on top price wise. If you buy the motohome 6 months before you move here also and matriculate as soon as you take up residence you can avoid the import registration fee in Spain

fionamw

I don't know the efficiency, cost, service or anything of these two, but there's a campervan sales/rental outlet at Casabermeja 15min N of Malaga, and I know a chap who sells 2nd hand refurb'd (I believe) ones - pm if you want his number. Also Casabermeja area.

teuchterpete

Thanks folks. It's just as I suspected. Buy LHD in UK and import.
Pete

Loco Pedro

As a matter of general interest, a friend in Moraira recently imported her English RHD van. The main stumbling block it seems is that English "vans" are literally that - i.e. the registration papers show them as "van" - which equates to commercial vehicle here - and we all know you cannot import a commercial vehicle to Spain. However, once she'd returned the registration to Swansea and requested it be re-classified as a motorhome or caravan (I believe), the import process became perfectly straightforward.

tuk-tuk

I think you would be better buying in Germany/Holland/Belgium etc. as the headlights,speedo,rear fog light/reversing light will be same as Spanish spec. The certificate of conformity is a massive bonus. There are a few specialist replaters in Spain. I would give "replatemate" a ring,he will give you lots of info of the pitfalls. If you are a member of "Motorhomefacts" (definately worth joining) follow the posts by a guy (username Sekrab) you can contact members via e.mail. Be very,very careful & do`nt listen to what people tell you bars.
Tuk-tuk.

tuk-tuk

Loco Pedro.
You obviously do`nt know much about the subject.
Tuk-tuk.

Loco Pedro

Absolutely correct - and I don't profess to know much either.
However, my friend now has a Spanish plated RHD (ex-UK) motorhome and her gestor reported that the problem was as I stated.
So - less of your condescending please tuk-tuk.

Mitzyboy

Thats interesting, and unusual. The main problem isnt to do with the "van" thing, its to do with the fact that they dont like the lack of visibility with a RHD motorhome. Thats part of why commercial vehicles are not accepted either, because of course in a van you can suffer from the same limitations.

I have heard of people getting them matriculated. Your friend it seems was lucky. Firstly the ITV more often than not reject them out of hand for the visibility situation and of course the cabin door opens on the wrong side, then you normally need a certificate of EU conformity (which maybe they had).

Ive also heard of people giving up, and I do see a lot of foreign motorhomes around where people live here in Spain, and they remain on their originating country plates.

All I am saying is that it may not always be as easy as your friends discovered, and for safety alone its probably a better option overall to have a LHD motorhome when you are driving in europe.

Loco Pedro

I agree entirely with all you've said. I was not advocating importing a UK van - merely passing on someone else's experience.
I'd always choose the easy route to minimise Spanish red tape - whatever the scenario.

Dxf

Hi

We did one a long time ago and said never again; BUT if it has a certificate of European Conformity then in theory it should be able to be imported. We got lucky but I am told that without a certificate of European Conformity, then the price for the MOT (ITV) can be as much as 3,000€; this is because campervans are not always built the same on a production line, and hand built has to be rechecked for conformity.

Davexf

Retired in Euskadi

Everything 2nd hand here is expensive, especially vehicles.
I'd reckon the chance of finding the right campervan in the UK that happens to be Left hand drive will be very limited.
Ever thought of buying one in Germany & then importing it?

Our son has a 1973 VW camper van, RHD bought in UK. Has had no problems driving here.