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Importing a car from the UK as a non resident.

Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2023 9:13pm
8 replies184 views4 members subscribed
Martin76

Posts: 10

Location: La Unión

Joined: 20 Aug 2022

There is a lot of conflicting and out of date information on line regarding the importation of a car from the UK. Can anyone help me find the current requirements for this. I bought a place in La Union last year and would like to import my second car here to keep at Alicante airport. The car is an 11year old Peugeot 508 diesel. Any help would be much appreciated. 

Regards Martin

PeterC

Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2023 11:01pm

PeterC

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Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2023 11:01pm

You would have to put it on Spanish plates. I suggest that you get in touch with a specialist agency who would give you an idea about costs.

RichT

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2023 12:01pm

RichT

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Joined: 13 Sep 2019

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2023 12:01pm

Firstly, you need to be left-hand drive if driving here regularly - ease of use at car park barriers, toll booths, etc.; but more importantly safety, particularly when overtaking.

If you did import your car, (unless it is a one-off import on your permanent move to Spain) you need to pay Import Duty which is based on a depreciation at 10% per year against the original cost of the car when new, multiplied by a % tax based on the car emissions {e.g. (not real rates, but close) - car £30k new, 5 years old, so £15k x 19% tax = approx. £3k tax}. Although your car is over 10 years old, I'm sure there will still be Import Duty to pay, particularly as it won't comply with Euro 6 emissions. You also need to have the car matriculated onto Spanish registration, take an ITV (MOT) and potentially change the headlights - average cost for this is around £1k. And you still have the inconvenience of driving a RHD car here. So, unless you have a car that you have a special attachment to, it's generally not worth it!

www.car-registrations-spain.com should be able to provide the required information.

Hope this helps!

 

Martin76

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2023 11:44am

Martin76

Original Poster

Posts: 10

Location: La Unión

Joined: 20 Aug 2022

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2023 11:44am

Thanks for the advice. I have driven the car over to Spain and found driving it on the right no problem.  The traffic is very light most places compared to England. I have seen the depreciation figure of 10% before but suspect it doesn't go to 0 at 10 years. I will ne back at my apartment in May so will take the advice to consult a specialist on the subject. Thanks again for taking the time to reply to my query.

Roland

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2023 4:15pm

Roland

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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2023 4:15pm

Before you go to too much trouble check your car headlight situation.

Some cars you can adjust the headlights to comply, some cars they need to be totally replaced.

Depending on the car the cost could possibly be £200 - £300 maybe even more.

You will also have to have an annual ITV ( MOT ) test on a vehicle of that age.

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Martin76

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 8:41am

Martin76

Original Poster

Posts: 10

Location: La Unión

Joined: 20 Aug 2022

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 8:41am

Roland wrote on Mon Feb 13, 2023 4:15pm:

Before you go to too much trouble check your car headlight situation.

Some cars you can adjust the headlights to comply, some cars they need to be totally replaced.

Depending on the car the cost could possibly be £200 - £300 maybe even more.

You will also have to have an annual ITV ( MOT ) test on a vehicle of that age.

Thank you. I have decided to consult a specialist when I next visit in May to be sure I make the right decision. I intended to buy a car in Spain but was surprised at how expensive they were. Thanks again for taking the time to reply. There is so much to learn having bought a place here.

RichT

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 2:08pm

RichT

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Location: Lorca

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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 2:08pm

Martin76 wrote on Wed Feb 15, 2023 8:41am:

Thank you. I have decided to consult a specialist when I next visit in May to be sure I make the right decision. I intended to buy a car in Spain but was surprised at how expensive they were. Thanks again for taking the time to reply. There is so much to learn having bought a place here.

The used car market is smaller in Spain, due to two main reasons - Firstly, company cars are not common in Spain (and indeed Europe), so there is a lack of 3 year old ex-fleet cars going out into the market. Secondly, partly due to there being a 4% tax to be paid by the seller when selling a used car, the head of a family will commonly buy a new car and then it is handed down through the family until it has been driven into the ground!

So, the used market commonly comprises expensive (compared to the UK) nearly new cars and lots of high mileage old cars.

A couple of further points when you're looking - remember 'mileage' is in kilometres; and also cars are often offered with two prices - one for cash and one for finance (the finance price always being lower, but it doesn't include the cost of the finance!).

Hope this helps!

Anka1110

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2023 9:09pm

Posts: 4

1 helpful points

Location: Mar De Cristal

Joined: 10 Sep 2022

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2023 9:09pm

Martin76 wrote on Wed Feb 15, 2023 8:41am:

Thank you. I have decided to consult a specialist when I next visit in May to be sure I make the right decision. I intended to buy a car in Spain but was surprised at how expensive they were. Thanks again for taking the time to reply. There is so much to learn having bought a place here.

We are also thinking of importing car from UK and hope you could share your experience with specialist and advise on costs. Thanks

Martin76

Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2023 12:35pm

Martin76

Original Poster

Posts: 10

Location: La Unión

Joined: 20 Aug 2022

Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2023 12:35pm

Hi. I will let you know what I learn on importing a car. If you find out anything useful I would appreciate it if you can post it.

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