Benefits when importing a foreign vehicle
From cheaper insurance to an ITV test every two years for many vehicles..
Why Change Your UK Vehicle Onto Spanish Number Plates?
There are many benefits to importing your UK registered car onto Spanish number plates. One of the most important is that you will be fully compliant with Spanish law, giving you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your vehicle is correctly registered for use in Spain.
But that is only one of the advantages. From lower running costs to simpler insurance arrangements, there are several reasons why changing onto Spanish plates can make excellent practical and financial sense.
Fully Legal in Spain
Once your vehicle is correctly imported and registered onto Spanish number plates, you can drive with the confidence that you are fully compliant with Spanish regulations.
For many people, this peace of mind is one of the biggest benefits of all.
Cheaper Insurance
Insurance for Spanish registered vehicles is often more competitive than equivalent cover in the UK. In Spain, the policy usually insures the vehicle rather than just a single named driver.
In many cases, this means that other drivers over the age of 25 can also drive the vehicle with the same level of cover, and children over the age of 18 are often included too, depending on the insurer and policy terms.
Breakdown Cover is Commonly Included
In Spain, towing a vehicle on the motorway is not generally permitted, so many insurance policies automatically include breakdown recovery.
This often removes the need for a separate third-party breakdown policy. If you break down, your insurer can usually arrange for a recovery vehicle quickly and, if the issue cannot be fixed roadside, your vehicle can normally be taken to a destination of your choice, depending on your cover.
Spanish Cars Are Often More Expensive
Many people quickly notice that both new and used cars in Spain can be more expensive than equivalent vehicles in the UK, even allowing for exchange rate changes.
In many cases, it is still more cost-effective to pay the import taxes and administration costs than it is to buy the same specification vehicle locally in Spain.
You Know Your Vehicle’s History
Keeping the vehicle you already know is an often overlooked advantage. If you have owned and driven your car for several years, you already understand its history, maintenance record and general reliability.
That can be far more reassuring than buying a second-hand vehicle in Spain with a history you do not know as well.
Cheaper Road Tax
For most types of vehicle, road tax in Spain is lower than in the UK, creating another useful saving once your vehicle is registered here.
As part of our import process, we can also advise you on the likely local road tax payable for your vehicle in Spain.
Less Frequent Testing
Once your vehicle is on Spanish plates, you can forget the inconvenience of returning to the UK each year for an MOT, along with the extra hassle of arranging tax, insurance and travel around it.
In Spain, vehicles up to 10 years old are generally tested every two years rather than annually, and the inspection is often cheaper than a UK MOT as well.
We Make the Process Clear and Straightforward
We handle vehicle imports every day and can provide a free, no obligation quotation for changing your vehicle onto Spanish number plates.