We have an apartment in spain which we visit regularly ( my wife and family), We want advice on the proceedure on keeping an english registered vehicle in spain (torrevieja) for our vists to use when are there , we want the vehicle to remain in spain.

What is the correct legal proceedure please???????????????

Regards Alan

You can use the car for up to 6 months a year as long as you are visiting only but it cannot be left in Spain - you must take it out and then return (the police can and do check ferry tickets). The car must remain legal i.e. if it is on UK plates it must have UK road tax and MOT (if applicable) and be insured to cover driving in Spain. When the car needs to have an MOT it must be taken back to the UK for the MOT (you cannot get a valid MOT for a UK car anywhere else but in the UK). Simplest solution is to transfer it to Spanish plates or even easier…buy a Spanish car.

The other option favoured by many is to totally ignore the law (UK and Spanish) and keep the car in Spain, on UK plates and don’t worry about Road tax, MOT or the fact if you don’t have these, your insurance will probably be invalid. You also run the risk of your car being towed away and crushed and/or being fined. Thankfully, the authorities are now clamping down on this type of behavior.

Thank you very much for your reply it has been very usefull.

If i took the english car oiver and transfered it tp spanish plates can we do that we being permanant residents and is this a more costly thing to do ????

Thanks alan

Have a look here

http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-spain/cars

Personally I think is easier, safer and wiser to buy a Spanish car - plenty of cheap ones around now with the crisis.

Thanks Rob your advice has been very helpfull

Probably the best guide on all car related matters (apart from the DGT site of course) is Brian Deller’s book. He writes for the RTN paper and his book is very useful.