Buying A New Or Second-hand Car In Spain

Having your own independent mobility is one of the most important aspects of life no matter where you live. But when you are living in foreign climes, this independence becomes even more important because very often, the vagaries of the local public transport system can leave little to be desired.

Here in Spain, many people tend to take liberties by importing cars that they already own without bothering to make any proper declaration. It is remarkably easy to do so because all you need when crossing borders within EEC member countries is your passport. But even with your own vehicle, the Spanish government will only allow you a six-month grace period before the vehicle needs to be officially registered, or imported!

After that, should you be stopped, for whatever reason, and if the vehicle has not yet been officially registered, then you may be found to be driving an illegal vehicle. This is not a position that you want to find yourself in as the Spanish police can be quite unaccommodating.

Importing a car from the UK can be quite complicated, so you would be well advised to discuss the matter with a Spanish Car Dealer who will probably be able to point you in the right direction and may help you complete the necessary forms to obtain your Spanish registration.

You may, however, decide it is preferable to buy a new or second-hand car (with left-hand drive) here in Spain. The procedure is relatively straightforward, providing you have one of the following as proof of address: recent empadronamiento certificate from your town hall, recent utility bill, title deed (escritura), a one-year rental or lease agreement, or a Residencia. You will also need proof of your NIE/NIF number.

At the end of the day, any one of the above-mentioned criteria is required to (a) prove your identity, and (b) provide traceability about ownership of the vehicle. Spain is no different to many other countries around the world in as much as they have their own problems with crime and car crime in particular. Should you be found at any time to be in "illegal" possession of a vehicle, you may be deemed to be complicit in receivership of the said vehicle.

Before buying any vehicle privately or from a dealer, always request a full Informe de Vehículo (vehicle report) from the DGT. This will reveal any hidden “precintos” (embargoes), outstanding fines, unpaid taxes, ITV issues, or other debts attached to the vehicle. If any such debts exist, these will automatically become the new owner’s responsibility — and unpaid debts or embargoes could lead to serious legal consequences or even seizure of the vehicle.

The same can be said for any outstanding debts on the vehicle with regard to repairs and all road tax (IVTM), etc. As the current owner, you will be held entirely responsible, even though you may still be relieved of ownership of the vehicle. In other words, the sins of previous owners may well be visited upon you, but you may still be liable to relinquish ownership of the vehicle anyway.

So, it is important to ensure that you follow the correct procedure when buying a car, and to help you, we have put together a few simple pointers to help you on your way.

Read more about changing ownership of a car in Spain.

Purchasing New or Second-hand Cars via a car dealership

This is the simplest way of buying a new or second-hand car because the car dealer will assume the responsibility of ensuring the correct documentation is in place. As with buying and selling cars back in the UK, your existing vehicle may be taken in part exchange or as part of the 2003 incentives (see separate notes below).

Purchasing a Second-hand Vehicle via a Private Sale

This is the scenario where you have to be particularly careful, as some unscrupulous individuals may attempt to sell a vehicle they don’t truly own. Always see the ORIGINAL documentation — copies are not acceptable. The most important thing is to match the seller’s identification with the owner’s details shown on the vehicle’s registration and ensure there are no embargoes or unpaid fines as verified by the official DGT vehicle report.

Documentation You Should Expect From The Seller

• Permiso de Circulación – the Spanish term for the vehicle registration
• ITV test certificate – the Spanish MOT equivalent; must be up to date
• Impuesto Municipal Sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica – road tax (IVTM) or road tax receipt; must be up to date
• A sales invoice confirming receipt of the monies and denoting the full particulars of the vehicle

You, the buyer, should also provide a “Solicitud de Transmisión de Vehículos” (transfer of ownership document), which can be downloaded from the DGT website. The form is provided in duplicate and a copy should be kept by both buyer and seller.

Registering the Change of Ownership

The simplest way of doing this is for both the buyer and seller to visit the offices of the Jefatura de Tráfico with a copy of the sales invoice and the ownership transfer deed. If done independently, within 15 days you, the buyer, must provide the seller with positive proof (such as a stamped Tráfico slip) that the transfer has been officially recorded.

When all is said and done, the buyer must ensure that the appropriate authorities are fully notified of the transfer of ownership of the vehicle within 30 days of the actual sale. For the avoidance of doubt, you should bring:

• A copy of the sales agreement or sales invoice
• A copy of the transfer of ownership form
• A copy of the vehicle registration form (Permiso de Circulación)
• A copy of the ITV roadworthiness certificate (must be current)
• Receipt for the municipal road tax (IVTM) (must be current)

Can a Non-Resident Buy A Car In Spain?

This is something that many foreigners ask when they are classed as non-resident. Legally, non-residents can purchase a car in Spain, but you will need to prove both address and NIE before being eligible to register the car. Acceptable proof includes: recent empadronamiento, utility bill, public deed, or one-year lease agreement.

Find out more about buying a car in Spain as a non-resident.

2000E New Car Incentive Scheme

The Spanish government has launched the 2000E scheme to promote new vehicle sales—offering up to €2000 for scrapping your old vehicle, provided it is at least 10 years old or has more than 250,000 km.

Driving or living in Spain long-term?

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