What are the pros and cons of bringing my own UK car to Spain?

By
Bruno Bianchi
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Question

Could I please ask a question about pros and cons of bringing your own UK car to Span and registering it there after 6 months, or selling it and buying one in Spain? We are quite happy to drive our UK car to Spain, we bring it over every summer but planning to move permanently next year.

Answers

These are the answers of some Facebook group members:

“Personal choice, I brought mine over, don’t regret it. Simple change over, paperwork, plates, headlamps, foglamp etc (pre-brexit though), everything was €1,500, very painless. Don’t have issues with car park tickets or slip roads. Got the car I love, no dings, dents or hassle with unpaid fines etc. I know others will be vehemently against it, but I don’t regret a thing. Just my experience.”

“Your decision is that car of special value to you? To be sitting driving always from the wrong side which does make driving and visibility a bit more difficult.
Resale value in Spain will be lower whenever you sell it. Think of it in reverse … what is the point of bringing a Spanish car to drive on the roads in the UK.”

“We brought our Mini Countryman over in April… not long since had it matriculated was a pretty straight forward process…got the lights done first in the UK and again as above don’t regret it at all for the prices here of a decent car. Now I’m going through the process of doing the spanish theory and driving test”

“I bought my Vauxhall Zafira over from the UK. Had lights changed then matriculation. Never have a problem driving right hand drive. Motorways or towns.. been here 16 years with no problem”

“It’s personal choice. I have 2 English cars here. If you plan to keep it until its time for the scrap yard definitely worth it. Cars here are expensive second hand. It was cheaper to bring mine over have them put on Spanish plates and do necessary work ie head lights, than it would have cost to buy exactly the same here. I don’t find it any different driving either right or left hand drive cars here. Both cost around 1500 for everything. My opinion is unless you buy brand new it’s definitely financially better. If you do fetch yours depending on age, and model you might not need new lights many have the ability to be adjusted without changing. If you do have to change go to the scrap yard. We was quoted 200 for new but got them for 50 from the scrappers.”

“Pros..car you are used to. Sat in the side of the car you are used to. Car possibly’ cheaper than here in Spain. Cons…sat on the wrong side of the car for overtaking and other things. Steve Deeson said no problems at car parks etc. If you are the only one in the car then I cant see how it’s not an inconvenience gitting tickets etc from the passenger side. Cars can be more expensive here, but it depends on the age of the car. Flip side is a RHD car here is worth far less when you want to change than a national car. My Kona electric was definitely no more expensive here than in the UK. Cost of change over is more expensive in the last 2 years with import duties. Some of this can be waived under certain conditions. Depends on how long you have owned the car and plates changed within 6 months of becoming resident. Its personal choice though. Factor the change over cost to include what needs changing to have the ITV. If you have a tow bar fitted it will probably need removing. Anything added to the car that wasn’t on new will probably need removing. Some items can be passed by paying an engineer to certificate them. Get good advice on the change over of plates first.”

“If you’re moving here permanent why go through the hassle ? We sold both of our cars 2 days before we moved over here.”

“A right-hand drive car in Spain a danger… buy a Spanish registered left-hand drive car and avoid any problems.”

“Buy a Spanish registered car in Spain…”

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