Importing a Car

[decgraham]

I currently live as an expat in Kuwait but have an apartment in Spain, I would like to export my car as the prices here are very good and my car is in excellent condition. I have owned the car for more than 5 years, it is LHD and I believe EU spec. Can any body tell me the procedure please.

Thanks in advance

DEC

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by decgraham

I currently live as an expat in Kuwait but have an apartment in Spain, I would like to export my car as the prices here are very good and my car is in excellent condition. I have owned the car for more than 5 years, it is LHD and I believe EU spec. Can any body tell me the procedure please.

Thanks in advance

DEC

Well .... unless you speak spanish and have lots of time its best to get a gestoria to do it for you. Will normally cost between €600 - €900 depending on whats to be done. Plus any taxes of course, and you need to ensure there is an EU certificate of conformity

[frannrod]

Oo err, would this huge expense also apply to my 1969 Triumph Spitfire (pre EU certificate of conformity & free UK road tax (as a pre 1972 historic vehicle)) ?

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by frannrod

Oo err, would this huge expense also apply to my 1969 Triumph Spitfire (pre EU certificate of conformity & free UK road tax (as a pre 1972 historic vehicle)) ?

Wow ..... I always wanted a Triumph Spitfire

Well, the expense will. I bought in a 1995 grey import (origin Japan) last year. It had an MOT in the UK, so the authorities here accepted that it must be EU conformed, and I'm guessing the same would be for your classic car. I actually paid €1200 as (for reasons I cant explain) I left it too long after I became resident and had to pay import regiatration tax.

You'll need to check that the headlights can be realigned OK

[leyland]

Originally Posted by frannrod

Oo err, would this huge expense also apply to my 1969 Triumph Spitfire (pre EU certificate of conformity & free UK road tax (as a pre 1972 historic vehicle)) ?

Hi there,
gets even more complicated with a pe-EU conformity car, I have a 1975 Spitfire which I am trying to register, am told the only way is to register as historic, so far I have joined the classic car club and got as far as the car being inspected, measured, weighed and generally looked at, now waiting for paperwork to enable a full ITV test and then Spanish registration, money payable for all stages of course.
Put a search in, Motoring in Spain second edition historic vehicles.
(this site won't let me put the web address) This gives the general proceedure

[silly millie]

IMPORTANT:

If you haven't already do not sign on to the local padron until you are ready to start the registration process. This will save you paying import (emissions) tax.

[oddball]

Originally Posted by Stravinsky

Wow ..... I always wanted a Triumph Spitfire

Well, the expense will. I bought in a 1995 grey import (origin Japan) last year. It had an MOT in the UK, so the authorities here accepted that it must be EU conformed, and I'm guessing the same would be for your classic car. I actually paid €1200 as (for reasons I cant explain) I left it too long after I became resident and had to pay import regiatration tax.

You'll need to check that the headlights can be realigned OK

Stravinsky , should this mean the vehicle was built for left hand drive roads and Spain is right hand drive , the answer is no . I built car headlights for General Electric for several years , specifically in the filament attachment , the front 'Glass' is actually a lens that diverts the beam either to the right or left dependant on the side of the road the vehicle is intended for and the high/low beams are directed accordingly also , simply replace the light units .
Colin

[frannrod]

Originally Posted by leyland

Hi there,
gets even more complicated with a pe-EU conformity car, I have a 1975 Spitfire which I am trying to register, am told the only way is to register as historic, so far I have joined the classic car club and got as far as the car being inspected, measured, weighed and generally looked at, now waiting for paperwork to enable a full ITV test and then Spanish registration, money payable for all stages of course.
Put a search in, Motoring in Spain second edition historic vehicles.
(this site won't let me put the web address) This gives the general proceedure

Thank you. That is a really good (if somewhat daunting) bit of information.

Very grateful.

[Mick-1]

Hi. I posted a question on Yahoo answers a while back about taking my bike to Spain and asked about emmision control. Here's one reply I got. Not sure if it's a good advise, but ...

Hi
I'm thinking about moving part time to Spain and want to bring my BMW motorbike. does anyone know about emmission control on Spainish vehicles? How do i find out if my bike would comply. This bike was originally bought in Japan.

And the reply was:

Respect towards your good intentions. However, I suggest that you just drive that bike and don't care too much about emmission controls and the like. I know of numerous British expats that live in the country and that have never even thought about registering their vehicles. Even after 25 years they still drive them under their original number plates...

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by Mick-1

Respect towards your good intentions. However, I suggest that you just drive that bike and don't care too much about emmission controls and the like. I know of numerous British expats that live in the country and that have never even thought about registering their vehicles. Even after 25 years they still drive them under their original number plates...

Well the risk is yours as nowadays they are tightening up and at roadblocks they are seizing cars
Quite often they are incorrectly insured, and they are not legal in their country of origin (so not legal here). All in all then .... not good advice