My Spanish car
Discussion
So I have been fortunate enough to own a place in Spain since 2008, at first when going out we would rent cars, however as we were able to get out there 7/8 times a year due to my shift patterns etc costs started to build with car hire.
We made the decision to buy a second hand car, and I bought via the net sight unseen a Ford Fiesta from Malaga, flew out picked it up at the airport and drove it back up to Murcia where we have our property. We worked out if we kept it 4/5 years we would break even with hire costs.
It served us well till 2016, when we sold it on and bought the current car.
We debated on buying another newer second hand car but for those who don’t know second hand car prices in Spain are absolutely extortionate, so for peace of mind we decided a new car which we would also use to travel on occasion back and forth to the UK.
So what to buy?
I didn’t what to spend a fortune and wanted something that would do the job. So after much thought and a bit research a Dacia Sandero Stepway was purchased.
Entry level, but with the Dacia multi-media screen which incorporates, sat nav and hands free mobile connection, fitted as an extra.
Cost was a reasonable 12000 euros which for a brand new diesel work horse I thought reasonable,
We have had the car since then and driven all over Spain, and back and forth to the UK a few times.
Not long arrived back in the Uk with the car after taking a road trip through Andorra, and France stopping in Normandy to pay respects at the war graves and generally see the area.
While in the UK I will be fully going over the car, changing fluids etc.
So the good and bad of the car.
Good: Great mpg, I have manged to get high 70s coming back to UK.
Loads of room with nice boot and lots of legroom in front and back.
Cabin layout is generally very good.
For a “cheap” car the seats are surprisingly comfortable. The first time I drove back to the UK I was alone and done it non stop( I know that was daft but there were reasons) on arriving home obviously I was tired but not uncomfortable from the driving position etc.
I am no mechanic but engine layout is really good for diy.
The bad. Very little to be honest. The multi media system is terrible no apple or android connections, say nav is slow and generally the whole system is not good.
Eco. Mode doesn’t save much in fuel and just reduces the power available by a noticeable degree which means more pushing of the acceleration and dropping down on gears.
Noisy cabin mainly from the rear which I solved with noise reduction linings in the boot which was surprisingly effective.
The worst thing about the car was the colour I chose. - RED not the cars fault mine alone what I know now is that apparently the pigments in Red paint reacts with strong sunlight and basically the car surnburns, is in hindsight I should have got white I think.
The bonnet and leading edge of the roof have suffered.
It’s on the original tyres which I am replacing before heading back to Spain as the sun has obviously affected the tyres with cracks showing not only on the edges but also the treads, original Michelins which have lasted well in the heat but at 10 years old I think a change is due for safety.
I can’t really fault the car, it is still on its original battery I think that’s part due to the fact I always turn of the stop/start I am not a fan and don’t think it saves that much. It just keeps going, I do my own service and keep on top of oil and filters. I have spent no money on the car other than fuel and service items, nothing has failed (touch wood)
I have tried fixing the sun burn since I got home but I think it’s beyond my skill set and probably needs replaying which wound be getting done, it’s a work horse after all. I do keep it clean and polished and will give it plenty off coats before heading back to the sun in October.
Be interesting to see anyone else who have a car they use abroad and their thoughts on how they think their cars does.
Hope the post has not been to long and boring, any questions on owning a car in Spain I am happy to answer.
We made the decision to buy a second hand car, and I bought via the net sight unseen a Ford Fiesta from Malaga, flew out picked it up at the airport and drove it back up to Murcia where we have our property. We worked out if we kept it 4/5 years we would break even with hire costs.
It served us well till 2016, when we sold it on and bought the current car.
We debated on buying another newer second hand car but for those who don’t know second hand car prices in Spain are absolutely extortionate, so for peace of mind we decided a new car which we would also use to travel on occasion back and forth to the UK.
So what to buy?
I didn’t what to spend a fortune and wanted something that would do the job. So after much thought and a bit research a Dacia Sandero Stepway was purchased.
Entry level, but with the Dacia multi-media screen which incorporates, sat nav and hands free mobile connection, fitted as an extra.
Cost was a reasonable 12000 euros which for a brand new diesel work horse I thought reasonable,
We have had the car since then and driven all over Spain, and back and forth to the UK a few times.
Not long arrived back in the Uk with the car after taking a road trip through Andorra, and France stopping in Normandy to pay respects at the war graves and generally see the area.
While in the UK I will be fully going over the car, changing fluids etc.
So the good and bad of the car.
Good: Great mpg, I have manged to get high 70s coming back to UK.
Loads of room with nice boot and lots of legroom in front and back.
Cabin layout is generally very good.
For a “cheap” car the seats are surprisingly comfortable. The first time I drove back to the UK I was alone and done it non stop( I know that was daft but there were reasons) on arriving home obviously I was tired but not uncomfortable from the driving position etc.
I am no mechanic but engine layout is really good for diy.
The bad. Very little to be honest. The multi media system is terrible no apple or android connections, say nav is slow and generally the whole system is not good.
Eco. Mode doesn’t save much in fuel and just reduces the power available by a noticeable degree which means more pushing of the acceleration and dropping down on gears.
Noisy cabin mainly from the rear which I solved with noise reduction linings in the boot which was surprisingly effective.
The worst thing about the car was the colour I chose. - RED not the cars fault mine alone what I know now is that apparently the pigments in Red paint reacts with strong sunlight and basically the car surnburns, is in hindsight I should have got white I think.
The bonnet and leading edge of the roof have suffered.
It’s on the original tyres which I am replacing before heading back to Spain as the sun has obviously affected the tyres with cracks showing not only on the edges but also the treads, original Michelins which have lasted well in the heat but at 10 years old I think a change is due for safety.
I can’t really fault the car, it is still on its original battery I think that’s part due to the fact I always turn of the stop/start I am not a fan and don’t think it saves that much. It just keeps going, I do my own service and keep on top of oil and filters. I have spent no money on the car other than fuel and service items, nothing has failed (touch wood)
I have tried fixing the sun burn since I got home but I think it’s beyond my skill set and probably needs replaying which wound be getting done, it’s a work horse after all. I do keep it clean and polished and will give it plenty off coats before heading back to the sun in October.
Be interesting to see anyone else who have a car they use abroad and their thoughts on how they think their cars does.
Hope the post has not been to long and boring, any questions on owning a car in Spain I am happy to answer.
Bit of a grey area that one. I have a Spanish driving licence and residency obtained before brexit so I can stay in Europe over the 90 day rule, forever if I want.
So if stopped in UK I would produce my Spanish licence and address and let the police work out what they want to do.
I am guessing I would be waved on.
So if stopped in UK I would produce my Spanish licence and address and let the police work out what they want to do.
I am guessing I would be waved on.
I did something similar. Property bought in Spain in 2011. We visited for 7-8 weeks a year due to school holidays and rented a hire car.
Later on retired and visiting for 4-5 months a year, in 2022 I bought a new pre-reg Hyundai i30 mild-hybrid estate. I received a discount because it had been sat for 3 months at the dealer. Its first ITV is due later this year.
Again, we bought new due to the high cost of used cars and the minimal depreciation compared to the UK. It also came with the usual Hyundai reliability and warranty.
I bought the estate so we had plenty of room for big cases. The plastics inside are basic meaning easy to clean after visiting to the beach covered in sun cream.
It costs us peanuts to run. An annual service at Hyundai is just over a £100 per year and car tax is £20 per year. Insurance for anyone over 25 (you insure the car not the individual) is about £300 a year. It does 40-50mpg all day long.
We’ve toured Andalusia (1,000 mile trip), the south coast to Gibraltar and back and Valencia a couple of times. It’s very comfortable.
We leave it at secure airport parking facility when we in the UK. It’s washed and waiting for us when we get off the plane. We don’t miss the hassle of queuing for a hire car and navigating them trying to sell insurance.
It is outside all the time, so last May I had it detailed and ceramic coated. The paintwork is like new, and it’s red
We’ll keep it for at least 5 years, probably longer as it’s not worth upgrading yet.
Oh, and we’re in the Murcia region too.
Later on retired and visiting for 4-5 months a year, in 2022 I bought a new pre-reg Hyundai i30 mild-hybrid estate. I received a discount because it had been sat for 3 months at the dealer. Its first ITV is due later this year.
Again, we bought new due to the high cost of used cars and the minimal depreciation compared to the UK. It also came with the usual Hyundai reliability and warranty.
I bought the estate so we had plenty of room for big cases. The plastics inside are basic meaning easy to clean after visiting to the beach covered in sun cream.
It costs us peanuts to run. An annual service at Hyundai is just over a £100 per year and car tax is £20 per year. Insurance for anyone over 25 (you insure the car not the individual) is about £300 a year. It does 40-50mpg all day long.
We’ve toured Andalusia (1,000 mile trip), the south coast to Gibraltar and back and Valencia a couple of times. It’s very comfortable.
We leave it at secure airport parking facility when we in the UK. It’s washed and waiting for us when we get off the plane. We don’t miss the hassle of queuing for a hire car and navigating them trying to sell insurance.
It is outside all the time, so last May I had it detailed and ceramic coated. The paintwork is like new, and it’s red
We’ll keep it for at least 5 years, probably longer as it’s not worth upgrading yet.
Oh, and we’re in the Murcia region too.
Phil. said:
ferret50 said:
Is there an MoT or similar in Spain, please?
Yes. It s called an ITV. The first takes place at 4 years old and then every two years. Against that, I have found significant help from Spanish traffiic plod, getting us, and camper, to a safe location and onward for repair.
If your username is part of the place you live in in Murcia my in-laws have a place on the same complex
They also saw hire car costs adding up but somehow found a Spanish car here in the UK and drove it back down after buying it in Derby. Theirs is a white C3 to fit in with all the other small white cars in Spain!
They also saw hire car costs adding up but somehow found a Spanish car here in the UK and drove it back down after buying it in Derby. Theirs is a white C3 to fit in with all the other small white cars in Spain!
So why can't someone of any nationality have a house and car in Spain and not be able to drive it in the UK?
Surely that's just up to the insurance company.
Only asking as I'm thinking of moving to Spain either part time or full time and have realised that taking my Brit car would be a right pain.
Easier to sell then buy a Spanish car, and then the steering wheel will be on the correct side
ETA do you have to take the Spanish driving test at some point?
Surely that's just up to the insurance company.
Only asking as I'm thinking of moving to Spain either part time or full time and have realised that taking my Brit car would be a right pain.
Easier to sell then buy a Spanish car, and then the steering wheel will be on the correct side
ETA do you have to take the Spanish driving test at some point?
croyde said:
So why can't someone of any nationality have a house and car in Spain and not be able to drive it in the UK?
Surely that's just up to the insurance company.
Only asking as I'm thinking of moving to Spain either part time or full time and have realised that taking my Brit car would be a right pain.
Easier to sell then buy a Spanish car, and then the steering wheel will be on the correct side
ETA do you have to take the Spanish driving test at some point?
Surely that's just up to the insurance company.
Only asking as I'm thinking of moving to Spain either part time or full time and have realised that taking my Brit car would be a right pain.
Easier to sell then buy a Spanish car, and then the steering wheel will be on the correct side
ETA do you have to take the Spanish driving test at some point?
If you are UK-resident, you cannot drive a foreign-registered car in the UK. It's not about insurance, it's about law.
Also not wanting to be an arse, but there is actually nothing stopping you from driving a foreign registered vehicle in the UK if you are a resident. The problem is not driving it, but getting stopped while doing so and the officer stopping you going down the summons route.
In truth unless you are involved in an incident or accident I would argue the chances of a routine stop by a British police officer is next to nil. They see a foreign registered vehicle and don’t want the hassle of non English speaking drivers and all it entails, language line etc.( those who know will know).
So don’t get involved in anything and you are likely going to be ok although obviously breaking road traffic legislation.
In truth unless you are involved in an incident or accident I would argue the chances of a routine stop by a British police officer is next to nil. They see a foreign registered vehicle and don’t want the hassle of non English speaking drivers and all it entails, language line etc.( those who know will know).
So don’t get involved in anything and you are likely going to be ok although obviously breaking road traffic legislation.
My mum and stepdad bought a place in Southern Spain last year and ended up buying exactly the same car (but in white). I went out a few months ago and absolutely loved the car for what it is, great little run around. Im hoping in a few more years they will be out there more and more!
If it is illegal to drive a foreign registered vehicle if UK resident, why is the standard advice when importing a vehicle to insure it on the chassis number and drive it back from the docks when Customs release it? I thought you had six months to re-register an import but that's very historic hearsay rather than a law I can quote. What law says it's illegal to drive an foreign registered vehicle?
Condado said:
Also not wanting to be an arse, but there is actually nothing stopping you from driving a foreign registered vehicle in the UK if you are a resident. The problem is not driving it, but getting stopped while doing so and the officer stopping you going down the summons route.
I wouldn't want to find myself in a fault accident that rendered my insurance invalid! You could find yourself relieved of that villa in the law suit that followed..https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/ask-the-police...
Police seem relatively clued up but CPS certainly would be if it boiled down to it.
I personally wouldn't run the risk. I have enquired about a few Spanish plated cars for sale in the UK and am on the hunt at the minute for a new one, but it would be either driven to the port/chunnel by one of my Spanish resident pals or taken via a low loader and I will meet with it there to drive onto the boat/train.
Condado said:
Be interesting to see anyone else who have a car they use abroad and their thoughts on how they think their cars does.
Mine was an Audi A4 cabrio that I had owned since 2020. I say "had" as it expired a few weeks back when it overheated on a warm day and f*cked the engine. Gutted as it was a trusty workhorse and bodywork was immaculate, especially for a Spanish car and their bump parking. As you say, with prices being insane, it was still worth circa £6.5k when it went pop, but sadly still an economic write off.
Now on the hunt for a replacement but its the usual cycle that runs in my head....start looking at old bangers and they are £10k for something ancient with moon km's and likely to be offloading of someone else's problems.
So budget moves to a 5 - 10 year old Jap sort of car at £15k and then you realise its only £25k for a new one...then I think f that I don't want a new car for it to get bumped and dented all across the Costa Blanca...and revert to step 1 and the old banger.. and repeat.
Driving standards in Spain are really bad, recently there was a full page ad in the local paper on how to negotiate a roundabout, obviously made no difference they do what they want.
Unfortunately I have found you have to be aggressive with your driving rather than defensive, you have to own the road as it were.
When I bought new I realised the odd knock would occur that’s why I went lower end money wise, have been lucky and car is relatively ding free.
Getting back to the ITV, not as comprehensive as UK mot, basically you drive into a large hanger and drive along a conveyor belt of checks emissions, brakes etc, takes about 20 minutes and a sticker is put on the windscreen showing a pass, and you get paper work. All your vehicle documents have to be carried in the car at all times so can be produced if stopped, no seven days to go to the p9lice station in Spain, and they love their on the spot fines, don’t pay they tow your car.
The ITV centres are not garages, you cannot get the car fixed there, you have to take it away and return for a re-test, they do all vehicles in the one place, buses HGV etc.
I believe if the vehicle isn’t insured and taxed they refuse to test them.
Unfortunately I have found you have to be aggressive with your driving rather than defensive, you have to own the road as it were.
When I bought new I realised the odd knock would occur that’s why I went lower end money wise, have been lucky and car is relatively ding free.
Getting back to the ITV, not as comprehensive as UK mot, basically you drive into a large hanger and drive along a conveyor belt of checks emissions, brakes etc, takes about 20 minutes and a sticker is put on the windscreen showing a pass, and you get paper work. All your vehicle documents have to be carried in the car at all times so can be produced if stopped, no seven days to go to the p9lice station in Spain, and they love their on the spot fines, don’t pay they tow your car.
The ITV centres are not garages, you cannot get the car fixed there, you have to take it away and return for a re-test, they do all vehicles in the one place, buses HGV etc.
I believe if the vehicle isn’t insured and taxed they refuse to test them.
I have only done my own ITV twice. I tend to pay a mechanic for a pre ITV check and to take it to the centre. I tend to think when they know the staff they stand more chance of getting it over the line or at worst a pass with a comment something needs fixing but allowing them some grace to do it afterward.
That said, I was surprised at actually how much was tested when I did my own test, given the state of some of the wrecks you see around. I’m sure some brown envelopes are exchanged.
As for roundabouts, around us they have just taken to filling in the inner lane as no one used them…
That said, I was surprised at actually how much was tested when I did my own test, given the state of some of the wrecks you see around. I’m sure some brown envelopes are exchanged.
As for roundabouts, around us they have just taken to filling in the inner lane as no one used them…
I’be had a couple of cars out here since moving permanently in 2019.
I had a 2015 Focus for a few years when I first moved. Bought from a Ford main dealer in Malaga. Was completely trouble free until trying to lunch its engine (1.0 ecoboost). A mechanic mate stripped the sump/oil pick up, flushed it, reset the warning lights and I sold it through compramos tu coche.
I’ve had an old X5 for the last 3 years. Late 05, only 110kms when I bought it, really good nick and well looked after as it’s never been owned by a Spaniard! Bought privately (process is super straight forward). Paid £6.5k for it and it’s cost me around a grand a year… now on 156k kms and I could still sell/trade it for what I paid for it. It will have to go soon though as it’s not LEZ compliant.
ITVs are a piece of piss. Book the appointment on line and take the car down there. I do mine, my mates car and his scooter every year. Pre ITVs are worthless. You don’t get a nod a wink passes here… the centres are government run and there ls just no way you can guarantee you’ll get the tester you want when there are 9 bays with 3 cars going through each one at a time. If your car fails on something non critical you get a stamp and 30 days to rectify during which you can still drive the car. Bring it back and they just check you’ve sorted the issue… no extra fee.
I’d say they are at least as strict as a proper UK test (ie; not one your mate does for you that you’ve been to for the past 10 years).
Round here the police are super keen on ITVs… the regularly run roadblocks to check and it’s a €200 fine.
I had a 2015 Focus for a few years when I first moved. Bought from a Ford main dealer in Malaga. Was completely trouble free until trying to lunch its engine (1.0 ecoboost). A mechanic mate stripped the sump/oil pick up, flushed it, reset the warning lights and I sold it through compramos tu coche.
I’ve had an old X5 for the last 3 years. Late 05, only 110kms when I bought it, really good nick and well looked after as it’s never been owned by a Spaniard! Bought privately (process is super straight forward). Paid £6.5k for it and it’s cost me around a grand a year… now on 156k kms and I could still sell/trade it for what I paid for it. It will have to go soon though as it’s not LEZ compliant.
ITVs are a piece of piss. Book the appointment on line and take the car down there. I do mine, my mates car and his scooter every year. Pre ITVs are worthless. You don’t get a nod a wink passes here… the centres are government run and there ls just no way you can guarantee you’ll get the tester you want when there are 9 bays with 3 cars going through each one at a time. If your car fails on something non critical you get a stamp and 30 days to rectify during which you can still drive the car. Bring it back and they just check you’ve sorted the issue… no extra fee.
I’d say they are at least as strict as a proper UK test (ie; not one your mate does for you that you’ve been to for the past 10 years).
Round here the police are super keen on ITVs… the regularly run roadblocks to check and it’s a €200 fine.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff