United Advice
BUYING A CAR IN SPAIN
If you are not resident in Spain, Spanish law prevents you from buying a new Spanish registered vehicle.
USED CARS
When it comes to used cars in Spain the first thing that will become clear to most buyers is the fact that they are quite expensive. However, they also hold their value for longer. When buying this type of vehicle it often pays to opt for one about 2 years old as depreciation prior to this is quite high.
If at all possible try to ascertain that the car has a genuine service history and the services confirm the mileage or kilometros shown on the clock. If the numbers on the clock do not line up correctly they may have been tampered with.
You must present a number of documents when transferring ownership, Without the vendor and the purchaser both present, to present passports, NIE Numbers and proof of address it will be virtually impossible to change the paperwork without the costly expense of going to a Notary to prove and swear with a witness that you bought the car in good faith, you must also have a contract of sale signed by the previous owner.
When buying a car from either a garage or a private owner you must check the following:
That the vehicle has a current I.T.V or test certificate if required there is no evidence of involvement in major accident or rebuild, Chassis and engine numbers tally with those on the registration docs and the name on the registration documents is that of the seller.
You used to be able to drive an EU plated car in Spain for up to 6 months in any one calendar year so if you arrived here in July, you could drive it until July the next, making it 12 consecutive months , the law now states you have 30 days however if you get stopped it is upto you, not the police to prove there and then you are not contravening the law. Beware though, the Policia Local sometimes have a blitz and wait outside such places as schools and note down details to use after 1 months time. They are then ready to pull you over and may serve a denuncia or Multa (fine). If you work here legally you have 30 days to re- register your foreign plated car with Spanish plates. Keeping your non registered car in Spain brings it´s own set of problems in any case as they need by law a British MOT to be legal, which needs to be carried out in the UK, then there is the problems of insurance, which will need to be checked that it is valid here in Spain for an unlimited time even if you do re-insure you still need to double check.
Please note that if you are contemplating bringing over a commercial vehicle there are some registration difficulties – All commercial and leisure vehicles with RHD have a problem that does exist on the ordinary car – The drivers vision is restricted especially when pulling away to join the traffic flow.
When you buy your car it will be necessary for it to be transferred into your name if you buy from a car dealer he will no doubt arrange the transfer and necessary documentation for you in consideration of a modest fee. If you purchase a vehicle privately, this is the procedure:
- An application form that you can obtain at the provincial traffic department.
- The circulation permit of the car with the transfer of owners shown on the back including seller signature.
- A receipt showing that the municipal vehicle tax has been paid and a photocopy or computer scan of it.
- A receipt showing that the 4 % vehicle transfer tax due on the sale has been paid at the Junta de Andalucia.
- The current ITV report and a photocopy or computer scan currently in date.
- Residence permit and photocopy/ NIE and photocopy or passport and copy if not resident.
- The relevant fee has to be paid to Trafico first for issuing a new log book with change of ownership.
- Take all your docs to Trafico and ensure that you include a large self addressed stamped envelope so they are able to return the completed documents to you.
Please note that they will only send new paperwork out to the address the vehicle is registered at, so if like most people you have no post man or delivery service to your house, you will not receive your documents. If this is the case they will give you a date in which you can collect your paperwork
If you are selling your own car in Spain ensure that your transfer is completed into the new owners name. As with the UK, failure to do so could have you being chased for parking tickets and other offences you did not commit.
NEW CARS
New car tax is higher in Spain than in any other EU country due to the registration tax of 12%, which is charged in addtition to VAT at 16%. It is normal for cars to be offered for sale at list price but you should not hesitate to ask for discounts, extended guarantees or anything else you can think of. You might not get everything but most dealers will do what they can to encourage you to buy from them.
A foreigner may only buy a Spanish registered car if they meet one or more of the following requirements:
1. They hold an official residence permit or N.I.E number. (All foreigners must have this in order to purchase a vehicle)
2. They can present the title deed to a home they own in Spain which must be for a dwelling not a place of business.
3. Presents a certificate from the Townhall showing that they are registered inhabitanats of the municipality. In otherwords Certificado de Empadronamiento
4. Produces a contract for property rental for a period of at least one year.
In Spain it is mandatory to carry all car documents when the car is being used. This includes driving license, passport ( if you are british) insurance, car registration docs & ITV. Expect fines in the region of 300-800 euros for not having your documents with you upon request by the police.
For further information contact United Services Tel: 0034 952 59 64 77
