UK car exchange with Spanish cars

[Steveg9165]

I have been told there are several people in the Estepona area who buy/ swap UK cars for Spanish cars. I have recently brought a car from UK without properly investigating what was needed to change it over to be legally compliant for driving in Spain. Is there anybody who can help me by sending me details of either people or companies that swap or buy UK cars in exchange for Spanish cars. I am living in the Santa Margarita area just down from Gibraltar so would be interested in hearing about dealers as far as Malaga or nearer only. Thanks in advance for any help given. Steve

[costakid]

Be prepared for a kick in the bo++ocks on your UK registered car. Also Spanish cars are much more expensive in comparison.

[Enrique]

Hi steveg1965,
Welcome to The Forum.............

As you haven't done it get a quote from a Gestor that specialises in Car Transfers to get current car on Spanish Plates.
Depending on make and model you may have to factor in Headlight and Tail light cluster swaps. Auto Electricians better deal than Main Dealer here.

Spanish car second-hand prices are high(compared to UK) so better getting new.

[dxf]

Hola

Allow 600€ for the necessities, plus cost of swapping headlights and possibly rear lights. But you have to complete the rematriculation within 60 days of signing on to the padron to avoid the first registration tax (import duty).

Davexf

[El Cid]

Why do you still refer to it as import duty (even in brackets) when it isn't?

Let's get this quite clear. There is no import duty when moving a car from one EU state to another. Every car that is registered in Spain pays a registration tax. On a new car this is included in the "on the road" price. Cars that were previously registered in another EU state have to be registered in Spain and pay exactly the same tax.

The tax is based on emissions data and in many cases is actually zero.

Sid

[dxf]

Hola Sid

Because many people I talk to still think of it as an import tax

Davexf

[costakid]

Sid, which cars are zero tax? Prius etc. I was told albeit a few years ago the duty was between 6 and 12% depending on fuel and engine size.

[El Cid]

Because many people I talk to still think of it as an import tax

Sadly, that is so true. I think that it is up to those of us who do understand why the tax has to be paid to explain to others the reality of it.

From my experience, once you explain that every car that they see on the road with Spanish plates has been subject to that same tax, they don't feel quite so bad about paying it. Otherwise they feel that it is an unfair tax placed on them just because they have a foreign car.

Sid

[El Cid]

Sid, which cars are zero tax? Prius etc. I was told albeit a few years ago the duty was between 6 and 12% depending on fuel and engine size.

That was the case, but a few years ago it was changed to a CO2 emissions based system.

The rates are:-

0 - 120 gm/km 0%
120 . 160 gm/km 4.75%
160 - 200 gm/km 9.75%
over 200 gm/km 14.75%

With the recent improvements to modern engines, most family cars now have engine options that fall into the zero category. For example, a new Mercedes E 220 diesel is zero rated at 116gm/km.

Sadly, road tax is still based on Fiscal Horsepower which is based on engine type and size.

Sid

[scotty]

Let's get this quite clear. There is no import duty when moving a car from one EU state to another.
Sid

Ehhhhh. . . . . . The Irish Government will disprove your comment. If you import a car into Ireland from another EU country you have to pay "VRT" (Vehicle Registration Tax) unless you have owned it & had the use of it for six months in one calender year. It's a double tax and illegal but we still have to pay it.

[El Cid]

That's exactly the same tax as you pay in Spain - a vehicle registration tax.

All vehicles in Ireland pay this. Of course it isn't illegal - just because you paid a similar tax in the country of origin does not preclude you from paying it in Ireland. UK cars pay a first registration tax but because it is so small (£45 I think) nobody suggests it's illegal to have to pay Spanish registration tax when you move the car to Spain. Inconvenient and potentially expensive, but illegal - no.

From the Irish tax office site:-
Vehicle Registration Tax is chargeable on the registration of motor vehicles (including motor-cycles) in the State. All motor vehicles in the State, other than those brought in temporarily by visitors, must be registered with the Revenue Commissioners. A vehicle must be registered before it can be licensed for motor tax purposes.

There is no such thing as an "import" between EU states so there cannot be any import duties. Local taxes and VAT may apply , but that is not an import tax.

From the UK Gov site:-

Moving goods from EU countries
When moving goods from European Union (EU) countries, you need to get a commodity code and pay VAT, but not import duty. Imports within the EU are called ‘acquisitions’.


Sid

[scotty]

Again you are wrong. It is an import tax. They called vrt after a Supreme Court case found that they were in breach of EU rules by charging "Import Tax". It runs from €750 for a 29 year old car to mega bucks (€50k) on a recent premium car (Merc BMW etc etc).

[El Cid]

Personally, I prefer to accept the information that I found on both government sites. From what you say, it appears that the Supreme Court agrees with me - it isn't an import tax.

You are free to believe whatever you like - either way it isn't relevant to bringing a car into Spain.

Sid

[Steveg9165]

Thanks for all info below, can I ask if anyone's knows of a gestor in La Linea area who would take care of all the paperwork for the transfer from Uk to Spanish plates. I have ordered lights and have found out where my nearest ITV centre is and am now in the process of getting my car booked in and inspected. Anyway thanks in advance for any info on Gestors in the La Linea area