Help!
Driving my jalopee RHD UK reg Merc C200 to Fuengirola in mid September, have arranged residency for our permanent stay.
I have Spanish insurance (5th of the cost of same in UK!)
I understand that I must import/ register in Spain within 30 days at a cost of over €1100!! Car's not worth much more than that and I don't want to keep it long-term so will be looking to sell or swap for a Spanish LHD.
My questions are:
1. How do the Spanish authorities know how long my car has been in the country?
2. If I drive into Gibraltar and back into Spain, does the 30 day period re-start?
3. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Cheers!
Confused.com!!

Welcome to BE.
The onus is on you to show your car hasn't been in the country for more than the required period, ferry tickets are thbe best way, so going to Gib will NOT reset the clock as there will be no proof. Selling your car in Spain will get you peanuts, you just MIGHT be lucky in finding a Brit who wants to return to the UK. Unless you are using it to transport pets or a lot of goods you may well be better off unloading it in the UK. If it all goes wrong you will find it difficult to scrap it in Spain as well.

Thanks
Had a feeling that would be the situation.
Have to drive as Mrs will be after surgery and can't fly for 6 weeks.
I'll probably sell for scrap if I can't swap with an expat wanting to drive back. Importing is so expensive just not worth it!
Cheers!

You cannot drive a UK regged car in UK on Spanish insurance, it MUST be insured with a member of the UK Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB) which very few if any Spanish insurers are.

If you get stopped in UK (ANPR will get you) your conundrum will be solved for you on the spot as the car will be seized and possibly crushed. You will also get a substantial fine and 6 points on your licence.

Doom and gloom!
The car is insured by a Spanish company, underwritten by Lloyd's of London, for 14 days in the UK. It is MOT'd and taxed. We leave on 13th September, so I have been ensured that no legal problem there, thanks!

You are quite correct - I assume it's with Ibex based in Gibraltar.

It is actually nothing to do with the car - it's all about YOU. The car could be here for 12 months but you, as a resident, couldn't drive it.

If you do it speedily, then there might be no First Registration Tax (wrongly called import tax) to pay - this should bring the cost way down.

Incorrect!
Liberty Seguros and Linea Directa are 2 examples of Spanish insurers that are members of MiB.

I have used Linea directa for motorbike insurance but shortly will be researching car insurance. Liberty Seguros have an office nearby anyone have an opinion on them for car insurance good or bad? It would be handy if any good with English speaking office on the doorstep .

We've been with them for a couple of years and had no problems. UK registered car, spends most of its time in Spain but visits the UK occaisionally. Fortunatey we've never had to claim so I can't comment on their claims service.

Thanks for that it will be Spanish registered car. I appreciate we never know for real how good any insurer is until we claim.

Yes
insured with Ibex - very helpful lady dealt with it - Jenny. If her service is representative of they way they deal with claims then should be ok.
I don't plan to have to claim!! Famous last words lol!

Stumbled across this Very helpful thread.. Thanks for the extra info. It does make me wonder if there's not a company that does a pick up service for this scenario?
Oh maybe just try temp insurance cover, I did use it for test driving a car I brought, and anytime insurance lapsed between me having my next vehicle and still selling the other one.


Erm as we're here ​​
Dover to fuengirola approx In tolls...
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o regardless of the slight high horse, as a victim of m25 and central London roads, I know that the cameras on bus lanes , ultra low emission zone are hawks, I'm not sure the anpr cameras are top draw though...