Alfonsocolli

Hi there everyone
we are arriving in Spain in 4 weeks time.
And we will be looking at buying a car within a week or so.
In the UK you can check a cars history by paying a fee to see if there is any finance outstanding or if it was involved in an accident.
Is there a similar option there?
Also, I'll be needing car insurance, over here in the UK there are several comparison sites, again, is there a website you would recommend that I use to get a few comparisons, saving me both time and money?

VEDShappy

There is the facility to request a report on a vehicle from the DGT. I don't know what this covers, but others will, no doubt, be along later with further information.
For insurance comparison try Rastreator, I've found it useful.

Alfonsocolli

Thanks
Hopefully someone else will view this post ....
I'll def check Rastreator

Barriej

Warranties from dealers are better here than the Uk. Even if you buy private, if its proved that you were sold a car with a known fault and this was not communicated you can get it repaired at the previous owners cost.

Buying a car here is also nothing like the Uk, where you can turn up with cash, take a bit of the V5 and drive away.
Here there is a complete process to follow and at every owner change you must detail the cars milage to the DGT and it appears on the paperwork. While not a guarantee it does at least help.

Most cars will have visible damage and Ive seen some driving around with complete damage along one side (a friend has an old Focus and a French tourist drove down the side. In the Uk it would be a write off. Here they just made sure the doors still open and close (part of the ITV checks) and they told him to carry on driving it)

Insurance wise, I used the the company the dealer used as he got me a 20% discount as he deals with them a lot (this years renewal is €30 more than last year)
Insurance is dearer here as cars tend to last a long longer (I have a 2007 Citroen that looks almost like new with 115000km on the clock)
And its not you who is insured here its the car, some places will take your No Claims History but others wont.
For ref my insurance is €230 a year fully comp, with recovery, car hire etc (the recovery here is standard on fully comp so no need for the AA etc) its with Linea Directa (and all in English even the call centre).

Alfonsocolli

Thanks
I'll def check out the company

Alfonsocolli

Forgot to ask Barrie
How would I check if it has been involved in an accident or if there is outstanding finance on it?

DLC

Download the miDGT app for Android or iOS. You can ask for several types of reports, they're free apart from the full report (completo) which costs €8.59.

There are also other ways to ask for the report (Internet, phone, go to one of their offices)...

https://sede.dgt.gob.es/es/vehiculos...e-de-vehiculo/

Loafing Along

If you are buying privately and /or are concerned about a particular vehicle the DGT ( Spanish Traffic Authorities ) issue what is called an "Informe de cargas" if you provide them with a vehicle registration. Gives you details of original registration, current owner, technical inspections validity and any charges against the vehicle. A gestor can do the request and it does not cost very much

Alfonsocolli

Thank you so much
Really helpful

Sandm4n

I bought a 2 years old car from an official dealer("approved used" as called in the UK), this way you get a 1 year official guarentee and as an official dealer they do a full checkup before trading used cars plus they do all the paperwork for you.

mikelincs

You do needto do a thorough check on the vehicle as fines, tax liabilities belong WITH THE CAR, so if the previous owner is in default with the tax, then you will have to pay it, same with anything legal. Spending a small amount of money to a gestor to check is excellent advice.