Questions re driving car into Spain (don't want to import)
 

All

A subject for discussion:

We're moving to Tarragona next weekend and I'm driving a car down with some of the valuable stuff that didn't go in the removal van.

When I get to Tarragona, I'll park the RHD car (UK registered, taxed and insured) in the underground car park and use it only a little, as the plan is to buy a car locally.

I understand I'm allowed to use the car on the GB plate for 6 months, but does that not apply if we are resident in Spain?

It's only worth a couple of thousand and I don't particularly want to pay anything to import it or re-register it.

Thinking my options might be 1) to drive it back to the UK in the next few months and sell it to webuyanycar etc and get 1000 for it if I'm lucky or 2) take it to a dump in Spain.

Any comments would be much appreciated.

Richard

Re: Questions re driving car into Spain (don't want to import)
 

Hi,

We did the same. We had a VW Polo which we drove to Spain and used for a few months. We got a good offer for a cash sale to a dealer. Make sure you notify DVLA when you sell / scrap the car.

Re: Questions re driving car into Spain (don't want to import)
 

Thanks. That's good to know. Hopefully we can part ex it for a car at a local dealers if they're interested. Though I wouldn't be expecting much..

Re: Questions re driving car into Spain (don't want to import)
 

The issue is that you are required to register as resident with 90 days (3 months). Once resident, you can't drive a UK plated vehicle

So, although there is this 6-month rule, in practice, it doesn't apply to people who are moving to Spain.

Re: Questions re driving car into Spain (don't want to import)
 

To make matters worse will you be able to make yourself resident easily after Oct 31, the million dollar question. I know someone who simply drove their car back and had made an arrangement to sell it at we buy anycar.com nearest to Portsmouth and then flew straight back to Malaga. They were happier doing that .

Re: Questions re driving car into Spain (don't want to import)
 

Sell it locally to anyone that wants it, just make sure you get a copy of their passport and send the forms into DVLA - send a letter saying that you sold it to someone that said they were moving to spain, so you dont have a current uk address for them.

Re: Questions re driving car into Spain (don't want to import)
 

Thanks all. We're down here (Tarragona), using the car rarely.

Planning to buy a local car at some point but will be selling this either to someone who wants to drive it back to the UK or to a dealer or scrap merchant. It's a bit ropey on the outside but only done 70k miles so runs great.

If anyone might be interested in the next month or two, let me know.

Re: Questions re driving car into Spain (don't want to import)
 

You are allowed to keep a UK registered car for only 3 months now. Either drive it straight back or sell it to someone going back to the UK which is what we did. Just make sure the paperwork is done.

Re: Questions re driving car into Spain (don't want to import)
 

Re: Questions re driving car into Spain (don't want to import)
 

Thanks again for the replies.

I'd rather part ex it but so far none of the dealers I've visited seem interested.

Re: Questions re driving car into Spain (don't want to import)
 

I guess it might depend on how much money you were thinking of spending with them 😉

The smaller your budget the less interested they are likely to be in taking in a right hooker for px.

Re: Questions re driving car into Spain (don't want to import)
 

These were big dealers and it was for a whole chunk of money so I was surprised they didn't at least make an effort.

I'm going to take it to the Spanish equivalent of webuyanypileofcrap.com and see what they say.

Re: Questions re driving car into Spain (don't want to import)
 

You would possibly get on better selling in an area where more Brits live?

Re: Questions re driving car into Spain (don't want to import)
 

Re: Questions re driving car into Spain (don't want to import)
 

Would the same (3 month limit) apply to someone on say a touring holiday? I.e. if you were not wanting to stay as a resident just say a 5 month tiring holiday? Am thinking about a trip to review many potential locations for eventual retirement.