bobd22

I thought that the idea of this forum was to help people with correct information i.e. legally correct information? Not to advocate breaking the law. Yes a person can weigh up the pros and cons of doing whatever even breaking the law but that is a decision for the individual, if they get caught on dear no one to blame but themselves. Using a SORN on a UK registered vehicle not in the UK is not legal fact. Taking a vehicle out of UK for over 12 months then it should be exported. Less than 12 months and it need not be exported but must comply with UK road traffic regulations tax insurance MOT etc. Then of course as has been mentioned bringing car to Spain then you should comply with Spanish matriculation law. That's it do it legally no worries but yes it may cost you money. Do it the illegal way you may save the cost of matriculating but will be worried every time you see a Guardia/police car behind you or routine police check point we often see, you may end up fined and having your car crushed. You may drive for 20 or 30 years without incident or accident that doesn't mean it will never happen that's why they are called accidents. If you have an accident and kill or maim someone while driving an illegal car in Spain, good luck with that in the Spanish court!

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AllanB

I am not actually in Spain, but the way I understand it if I spend less than 6 months in an EU country I can drive a vehicle with foreign plates. If anyone knows differently I would be happy to read an official document.

BritInParis

So long as it has valid tax and MOT. Once its MOT expires then it’s as illegal to drive abroad as it would be in the UK.

bolton wanderer

The Spanish traffic police now have access to the UK DVLA database via their ipads/phones to check the MOT, Insurance & tax status of any UK registered vehicle. Our local police are currently having a clamp down on UK registered cars. Having no MOT invalidates any insurance, so the financial risk alone would dissuade most normal people.

To the O/P, I wouldn't risk it. Notify the DVLA that the vehicle is scrapped and see if you can get a breaker to collect it.

bfg69bug

Technically, as far as I know, a Spanish resident can not drive a foreign plated vehicle for more than 90 days that they have in their own name or that of a close relative... its one of those .. grey areas.

But then.. you´d have to be a resident... and while you might not be, if the police see you around for a while, or taking the kids to school.. they will still impound it... you can tell them till you are blue in the face that "i dont live here im just on holiday".. but they dont care

Transporting a vehicle from the costa del sol (further south than you) costs 600 pounds. But then, it would still be technically illegal to drive it in outside the UK after 90 days.

bobd22

I'm not sure where this 90 day rule comes from? As far as I'm aware it is 6 months in 12 that non residents can use a UK registered vehicle in Spain (ties in with residency rule). Here's some basic info

​​​​​​​https://www.citizensadvice.org.es/fa...-car-in-spain/

bfg69bug

You are talking about non-residents, I am not.

here is the very first line of the webpage that you posted.

Fred James

There is always confusion over this issue. If you become resident in Spain and have a UK car, you have to register it within 6 months of becoming resident. However, if you wish to avoid the registration tax, you must register it within 60 days of becoming resident.

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizen...d/index_en.htm

bobd22

The link gives information for resident and non resident. 90 days is still not mentioned either?

bobd22

Also interesting given that so much information has been provided on this post that there has been no response from the OP? Do we know if they are in fact resident or non resident?

snikpoh

I disagree with this article. I used to think you could keep a UK plated vehicle in Spain for 12 months (provided it had tax, MOT and insurance of course) but I was told otherwise.

This article is very helpful

https://www.citizensadvice.org.es/fa...-car-in-spain/

bobd22

Yes that's the link I put on

Fred James

It was updated less than a month ago.

If you think the EU have got it wrong, perhaps you should get in touch with them.

bobd22

From the horses mouth so to Speak Fred, a very good link

bfg69bug

If you dont want the car.. leave it where it is. Its the "new owners" problem now. It will no longer be in your name.

If you want to keep it, it would be illegal to drive it, so if you get stopped you would be in a whole world of trouble - and its not in your name, and you dont have paperwork. Did you take a photocopy of the log book showing your name? Will the "new owner" report it stolen?

If its a cheap banger.. leave it there. Make sure to tell a few neibours that you have "sold" it and it will be collected in a couple of days or so, then if anyone comes knocking, they will tell them that.

The "right" thing to do would be to weigh it in, you should be able to call a scrap yard and they will collect it, but without paperwork you need to know the right people...