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Buying
Cars in Spain
Cars are more expensive in Spain than in many other EU countries. However
their value decreases at a slower rate so the extra money you pay when you
buy the car is usually
recouped when re-selling.
In order to buy a Spanish registered car you need a residence card, a deed (escritura)
or rental contract for a Spanish property, or a certificate of residence (certificado
de empadronamiento) in Spain.
New Cars in Spain: Spain generally remains a buyers' market for new cars
and you may be able to drive a hard bargain. New cars are sold at list price,
although
you should
still shop around for the best deal as dealers compete in offering discounts,
guarantees, financing terms and special
sales.
2nd Hand
Cars in Spain: It pays to buy a used car that's around two years
old, as depreciation in the first one or two years is considerable (high
mileage cars,
particularly rental cars, can be a good value). However, older cars in Spain
(outside of their warranty period) aren't always well maintained.
There are
many cowboys in Spain selling old cosmetically improved cars
so it's generally better to buy from a reputable dealer, even if you pay
a
bit more, and obtain a warranty.
When you buy
a secondhand car in Spain you must obtain the registration document
(permiso de circulation) the ITV test certificate plus the technical
sheet and a photocopy; the road tax receipt and a photocopy; and a
receipt for the payment of transfer tax. You have 15 days to register
the vehicle in your name.
Importing a Car Into Spain: Importing a car
into Spain requires a battle with Spanish bureaucracy,
involving a lot
of red tape. Most people employ a gestor (a type
of administrator) to do it for them. The process has recently been
simplified, but still involves mountains of paperwork and can
take a number of months (and
can cost up to around 600 Euros). The regulations vary depending on
whether you're an EU resident or not.
For more
in depth information on this topic, we highly recommend:
Living
and Working in Spain: A Survival Guide
Click the
link above to check the price at Amazon UK.
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