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Buying
a car in Spain - a
short guide
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Cars are generally more expensive in
Spain than in most other EU countries.
They do however tend to hold
their re-sale value better. In order
to buy a Spanish-registered car you
need a residencia, (residence card) or
an NIE number, an escritua (deed) or
rental contract for a Spanish
property, or an certificado de
empadronamiento (certificate of
residence) in a Spanish community.
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Buying
a
second
hand
car
Second-hand
cars
in
Spain
are
often
more
expensive
than
in
many
other
EU
countries,
as
cars
hold
their
value
better.
It
often
pays
to
buy
a
used
car
that's
about
two
years
old,
as
depreciation
in
the
first
one
or
two
years
is
considerable.
Ex-
rental
cars,
are
good
value.
Note,
however,
that
older
cars
in
Spain
(outside
of
their
warranty
period)
aren't
always
well
maintained.
You
are
much
better
to
buy
from
a
reputable
dealer,
even
if
you
pay
a
bit
more,
and
obtain
a
warranty,
rather
than
pick
an
'unknown'
from
the
local
paper.
If
you
intend
to
buy
a
used
car
in
Spain,
whether
privately
or
from
a
dealer,
make
sure
that
of
the
following: |
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The
car
has
a
current
ITV
test
certificate,
if
applicable;
That
the
chassis
number
tallies
with
the
registration
document,
which
should
be
in
the
name
of
the
seller
when
a
car
is
purchased
privately.
That
you
receive
a
`transfer
of
ownership'
(transferencia)
form
from
the
seller.
The
form
is
available
from
the
provincial
traffic
department.
Car
dealers
usually
give
warranties
on
used
cars
of
from
three
to
12
months,
depending
on
the
age
of
the
car
and
the
particular
model.
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| When you buy a second-hand car in Spain you must obtain the following documents from the seller; |
| 1. Registration document (permiso de circulación). The Permiso de Circulacion is the Spanish equivalent of the English Registration document and owner's details have to be changed when vehicles change hands. However, this is a far more complicated process than in the U.K.
2. The ITV test certificate plus the technical sheet 'Ficha Tecnica' and a photocopy.
3. The road tax receipt and a photocopy.
4. A receipt for the payment of transfer tax (4%). |
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| You have 15 days to register the vehicle in your name. |
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VERY IMPORTANT ADVICE ON PURCHASING SECOND HAND CARS
It is vital that a history check is made on the vehicle before you purchase it. This is the Spanish equivalent to an HPI check in England.
This check is important in Spain because just like property, previous owners debts can be put on the car. This can include unpaid social security, loans and taxes. The debts stay with the car, so it is now the responsibility of the new owner to clear the debts.
If you have any concerns regarding a Spanish registered vehicle you may have purchased privately, there are qualified companies that would be happy to check out the history for you, and offer HPI checks on English registered vehicles. |
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Buying a new car
Spain is generally a buyers' market for new cars and you should be able to find a bargain although some cars are more expensive in Spain than in some other EU countries. The taxes on new cars are higher in Spain than in most other EU country due to the registration tax of 12 per cent, which is charged in addition to VAT (IVA) at 16 percent. Denmark in particular is more expensive than Spain.
Buying a new car for cash
When you buy a new car from a garage, you will need to supply them with a copy of your national insurance number form which was given to you by the police station. You will also need to produce evidence of your address such as a rental contract or house deeds etc. The garage will undertake all the registration process with the Trafico department. This process usually takes two working days. A new car does not need an ITV (MOT) for four years. Your new car should come with one year's road tax paid to the local council. Check this. On collection of your new car you will be given the registration document. Keep this safe; a replacement will be expensive and very time consuming. DO NOT KEEP THE ORIGINAL IN THE CAR. Take the original and a photocopy to the Town Hall and ask them to stamp the photocopy as a true copy of the original. Keep the copy in the car and save the original at home. You should also carry your insurance certificate with this, as well as a receipt for your premium paid.
Financing your purchase
Currently there are very few companies that will give finance to a non-resident, although this may change with the abolition of the residence permit. Most new car dealers offer finance on purchases.
It is possible to buy a new tax-free car in another EU country, such as from the factory of a European manufacturer or from an exporter and personally import it into Spain. Before importing a car from another country, you should ensure that its manufactured to Spanish specifications, or you may encounter problems getting it through the homologation inspection.
When you drive in Spain you must ensure that certain documents are carried with you.
See our section on driving in Spain here. |
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