Practical issues of running a car

Hi,
I know there is very good information on here re purchasing cars in Spain - but can anyone advise on the yearly running of a vehicle ?

Thinking of purchasing a used vehicle in Spain at same time house is purchased. We will probably be taking a year to 18 months to fully move permanently and have been thinking rather than hire a vehicle each time we go out to the house in Spain that if we bought a car and garaged it when returning to UK ?
What kind of costs are involved in having a car on the road for a year - or would it be cheaper to just hire each visit ?

Cheers,
Topsy

Hello Topsy,
Well you are still coming over to see us all here in Spain? I would advise that if you are not due over here permanently for 18 months, that you hire a car until nearer the date your perment move, say about three months before you move here, then there will be less risk to you and your car. Also you will not need to tax, insure, or ITV (MOT) the car for the time you are not here, there is the advantage of the cover that the garage that you buy the car from will still be covered if you do have any problems with the car.


Buying a second car over here is, I think the best move you can make, as the dealer takes care of all the paperwork, the paperwork can take up to seven weeks to come to you, but you do get a temp note of sale which covers you in case you get stopped by the police.
Second hand cars in Spain hold their value and can be such bargans at the same time, I would suggest that you go to a local Spanish dealer as they have the best deals on second hand cars.

A car in Spain does not need an ITV (MOT) until it is four (4) years old, depending on the type of car this varies in cost eg petrol car costs around 35 euros to ITV (MOT)

Depending on where you liv the Tax for the year (SUMA) we pay for a Volvo Estate 98 euros for the year.

The insurance for both my wife and I around 550 euros a year (wife has made a claim this year)

Petrol at todays price Nov 29th 0.92 euro cents a ltr


I do not trust English second hand car dealers as they are out to make a quick euro from their dealings. I have experainced this when I bought a second hand car from an English dealer who has several second hand car showrooms based along the Costa Blanca and advertises each week over four or five pages in the Costa Blanca News and I am not the only one to have fallen foul of this dealer.

I hope this advice is useful to you, Good Luck.

David SR

I'd agree with David .... Look around a lot. I just bought a car in Calpe after having looked in a UK garage. I was lucky enough to walk out of the door and see one for sale at the mechanics garage next door.

I'd avoid buying privately if you can.

However, one thing ....... I was unable to get the proper documentation to register the car in my name until I had registered as a resident on the local Padron. How does a non res get around that?

Hi Jon,
I am afraid that you have to register on the padron it is easy to do and costs nothing (until your tax comes due). If you own a house and live in it part time you must register, its like being on the electrol roll in the UK.

Its very cheep on the council tax out here, so my advice is to register then you will have no problems at all whatever you buy.

David SR

- Countryboy

Hi Jon,
I am afraid that you have to register on the padron it is easy to do and costs nothing (until your tax comes due). If you own a house and live in it part time you must register, its like being on the electrol roll in the UK.

Its very cheep on the council tax out here, so my advice is to register then you will have no problems at all whatever you buy.

David SR

I could have got a certificate of convenience David it appears. I didn't want to register yet because my other british car isn't ready yet for conversion, and therefore I won't be able to sort it in 30 days as per the requirement. I will therefore have to pay import tax, although the car is 11 years and I believe that may make a difference. Rumours that car import tax will be done away with completely next year

Hi Jon,
If your car is 11 yo, then I dont think you pay any import tax, the Spanish Government, pay a fee to dealers of around 485 euros to take cars over 10 years old in px for a newer model.

I got 3,000 off in px for my new Volvo V70 estate, my old car was a BMW 5 series, and had been around the block what with the wife bumping into Spanish cars at least once a month, lol.

A lot of garages are asking to take UK reg cars so they can sell them to Brits going back, so long as its got some tickets on it ie MOT/Tax so give them a try you might make a quick buck.

David SR

- Countryboy

Hi Jon,
I got 3,000 off in px for my new Volvo V70 estate, my old car was a BMW 5 series, and had been around the block what with the wife bumping into Spanish cars at least once a month, lol.
A lot of garages are asking to take UK reg cars so they can sell them to Brits going back, so long as its got some tickets on it ie MOT/Tax so give them a try you might make a quick buck.
David SR

No I shall be keeping the car, and its a bit of a specialist thing anyway so I couldn't see a brit buying it to go back. I have had Spaniards in the street though asking if I want to sell it!

Glad to know I won't need to pay duty though