Returning with car
 

I left Spain begining of last year and returned to the UK with my Spanish car, the tax and ITV have both expired but want to drive it back to Spain. Any ideas what to do apart from running the gauntlet down the east coast one night.

Re: Returning with car
 

Spanish road tax, unlike the UK, is a municipal tax so the Guardia are not really interested in whether it has been paid.

As for the ITV, if you book an appointment to have it done, www.itvcita.es , and print out the appointment details I doubt that you would have a problem if stopped.

Re: Returning with car
 

Yes a really good idea,! no different than driving while drunk!
you have a car that should not be on the road, ie- no Insurance etc-
Hope you don't knock anyone down, I bet prison food is great.

Re: Returning with car
 

Who said it wasn't insured?

Re: Returning with car
 

No ITV /Mot no insurance.

Re: Returning with car
 

Have kept the insurance going on the car so still insured for another 3 months, thanks Fred will try your idea

Re: Returning with car
 

"No ITV /Mot no insurance."

Why do you assume that is the case?

I am insured with Linea Directa and I asked them that specific question. Their reply was that a valid ITV is NOT a condition of the insurance policy.

I suggest you check the small print on your policy and see where the need for an ITV is mentioned.

An ITV only proves that the vehicle was roadworthy for the few minutes that it was tested - the brakes could fail 5 minutes later.

Re: Returning with car
 

Whilst I cannot speak regarding France or Spain regarding insurance I have to wonder where the urban myth began in the UK that not having an MOT on your car invalidates the insurance, it doesnt!
All UK insurance companies have a standard clause that your car must be maintained in a roadworthy condition, if it isn't & they can substantiate that fact, they will not pay for the damage to your car. They still have to pay for the damage/injury that has been caused to the third party. The MIB (Motor Insurers Bureau have lost this argument in the UK Appeal Courts when their members tried to avoid paying out to the third party. Just because a car doesn't have a current MOT does not mean it is not roadworthy, just the same as a car that does have an MOT can be unroadworthy (i.e. a bald tyre).

Notwithstanding that, I personally would not take the chance of driving a vehicle without current valid documentation as I'm too tight to pay the fine if stopped.

Re: Returning with car
 

Just checked the wife's motorbike policy.

Requirement to keep the vehicle in a legal roadworthy condition

No Mot not legal.

How do you prove you have been keeping the vehicle in a roadworthy condition without an MOT, agreed it only proves that it was OK at the time, but it also proves that you have been making the effort.

Re: Returning with car
 

Dave, all I was asking was any ideas on what to do apart from driving down the east coast one night, but thanks for your valid input.

Re: Returning with car
 

Don't write as if your quoting from the policy, it is misleading. That phrase is not in any UK motor policy, only the bit about keeping it roadworthy is.
The abscence of a current MOT will just send the insurers round to examine the vehicle to see if they can find a fault with it.

Re: Returning with car
 

The phrase in the policy quote

" To maintain the vehicle in a legal and roadworthy condition "

Later in the policy quote

" You or any permitted driver are required to maintain the insured vehicle in a legal and roadworthy condition "

Re: Returning with car
 

The same phrase I have used throughout, you chose to add immediately afterwards in your first posting "no MOT not legal", which could be misconstrued as still qoting from the policy as you chose not to use quotation marks in that first post.

Re: Returning with car
 

contact your insurance co, tell them you will be driving say from London to Portsmouth on the 17th June, to catch the Spanish ferry,
make a appointment for a IVA test on your arrival in Spain.
Take the test, and if all is well, then you will be fully insured. to carry on your journey.

Re: Returning with car
 

I wouldn't drive through France, you wouldn't want to get a French bobby on a bad day!

I'd get the ferry straight to the North of Spain and book it in an ITV center near the ferry terminal......

As for the tax, do you have someone looking after your Spanish post? As by now you would have been sent the payment slip through the post, ask a friend to pay it for you and transfer them the money?