Emigrating to Spain and would like to take my MR2, has anyone done similar?

[salvatore10]

Hi everyone 

So as the thread title suggests, within the next few months I'll be moving to Spain to live for good with my Spanish girlfriend, and hopefully my MR2.
Mine is a 54 plate sable grey with hard top which I have owned for 8 years, with 82000 miles on it now. Having taken the car to a mechanic friend of mine, I haven't much proof of all the money I have sunk into it: it's decatted, new PU suspension bushes, shock absorbers... Resale value would probably be £3k ish here. To buy similar in Spain, I'd be looking at 10k Euros plus!
However, to comply with Spanish regulations I'd have to get the foglights changed and jump through quite a fair bit of expensive red tape: customs clearance, taxes etc.
I would love to have my car in Spain with me, but would it be worth it?

Has anybody emigrated to Spain with their pride and joy?
I would be grateful for any advice.

And if I did go with my car, with the age/mileage of it, is there any work I should be getting sorted here in the UK before I get out there and get stiffed by a garage in Spain? I'm guessing parts would be much scarcer and vastly more expensive.

Thanks for any advice.

[Petrus]

Been living here for 22 years and my gf is red tape specialist for forriners for a living.

1. Make SURE you have your residency/ correct visa et al sorted according post Brexit rules. Look into your future work/tax status, Schengen etc.

2. Don´t take the UK MR2:
- it will have the steering wheel on the wrong side; there is a reason UK cars are not selling here and I wouuld not drive one if paid to.
- you will indeed need to import it. Whilst doable it is not cheap and lots of agro. In the light of RHD not worth it imo.

I have imported several cars from from an EU country and... stróngly prefer to not do it. Last vehicle I bought, was originally from Denmark and I paid the 2,5k+ market value extra for the Spanish plates the previous owner got on the thing. Never mind the UK.
It´s the main lamp units too btw afaik.
My gf does about all sort of Spanish red tape for immigrants from ány country but passes car imports on to a specialist. Then it is just money and a lot less than the market price difference of these cars you correctly mention, but the crux is that it will still be RHD in a LHD country.

And lastly, check if the location you will be moving to has low emission regulation in place or planned.  Would be a pita to spend  the money to jump though the hoops only to find out that the region outlaws its use next year.

About your remark about ´stiffed by a garage in Spain´.... best ignored 
Consumables are generally the same price, but the snag is breakers.

For the rest. ENJOY your life here!!!

[jvanzyl]

@JoeCool moved there... but he sold his car prior to moving

[Call the midlife!]

@bigbear007 did it last year but don't know how he's getting on with it.

[Petrus]

Last I know of BigBear is that he was all ok at his new place here in September. Was sorting the plates of his UK MR2 because of the rather precious to him interior and had bought an Aygo.

[Petrus]

Just had contact with BigBear. He may appear and tell the details first hand.
The concise version is that he started the procedure timely (September) and correctly so escaped import duties and is through all of the red tape hoops. Still waiting for the last documents but should be on the road in Februar.
Chapeau to him and his gestor!

[salvatore10]

Thanks for the replies everyone! 

Been living here for 22 years and my gf is red tape specialist for forriners for a living.

1. Make SURE you have your residency/ correct visa et al sorted according post Brexit rules. Look into your future work/tax status, Schengen etc.

2. Don´t take the UK MR2:
- it will have the steering wheel on the wrong side; there is a reason UK cars are not selling here and I wouuld not drive one if paid to.
- you will indeed need to import it. Whilst doable it is not cheap and lots of agro. In the light of RHD not worth it imo.

I have imported several cars from from an EU country and... stróngly prefer to not do it. Last vehicle I bought, was originally from Denmark and I paid the 2,5k+ market value extra for the Spanish plates the previous owner got on the thing. Never mind the UK.
It´s the main lamp units too btw afaik.
My gf does about all sort of Spanish red tape for immigrants from ány country but passes car imports on to a specialist. Then it is just money and a lot less than the market price difference of these cars you correctly mention, but the crux is that it will still be RHD in a LHD country.

And lastly, check if the location you will be moving to has low emission regulation in place or planned.  Would be a pita to spend  the money to jump though the hoops only to find out that the region outlaws its use next year.

About your remark about ´stiffed by a garage in Spain´.... best ignored 
Consumables are generally the same price, but the snag is breakers.

For the rest. ENJOY your life here!!!

Useful advice Petrus, thanks very much! Sorry, I didn't mean to slur spaniards in any way! I was warned by my future suegro that repairs can be expensive, and that being a wet-behind-the-ears guiri I might have to be on my guard. A bit like when people go to Kwik Fit here in the UK and they try the "Your discs are pitted and need replacing" line, even though they've only been on for two months.
I've also had a lot of recent dealings in Southern Italy regarding a funeral and inheritance, and sadly, being British (with Italian grandparents) people (lawyers/funeral directors/relatives/neighbours) were lining up to get as much money out of me as they possible could! 

I'll carefully consider my options and think about whether it's worth it. Perhaps I'll take it to Spain on a road trip first and see how I get on driving it there.
I found the correct lights here for £524..
https://mr2-ben.co.uk/products/1250

Muchisimas gracias!

[Petrus]

Yes, that is the lamp units.
Unfortunately the old stickers one could tag onto the outside are no longer usefull so theoretically you should not drive your car at night with the wrong lights on the continent. You can imagine that they are blinding for uncoming traffic. Apart from being illegal it is anti social and unsafe.

Seems like a plan to experience for yourself.
Regardless, anything you can do to avoid falling into RHD routine helps. Again something you can imagine.

It may seem that I am overly against RHD but living where there´s lots of UK expat about it is experience based. I am nót getting a lift from a RHD car.
The for LHD paramaont blind angle to the left multiplies for the RHD position. You try it with the hood on. Park yoyr car i¡on the right hand side, sit in the passenge seat and now virtually try merging onto the road. It is the same when driving on the highway and wanting to overtake. Anyone on the forum driving a motorbike can tell you what any reduction in view means for thém.
Anyway, you´ll see. Or not 

Meanwile lóvely weather here 
Right, off to Linares (from Antequera) and then to a diner date in Córdoba. Enjoy your weekend!

[ooch]

Hi everyone 

So as the thread title suggests, within the next few months I'll be moving to Spain to live for good with my Spanish girlfriend, and hopefully my MR2.
Mine is a 54 plate sable grey with hard top which I have owned for 8 years, with 82000 miles on it now. Having taken the car to a mechanic friend of mine, I haven't much proof of all the money I have sunk into it: it's decatted, new PU suspension bushes, shock absorbers... Resale value would probably be £3k ish here. To buy similar in Spain, I'd be looking at 10k Euros plus!
However, to comply with Spanish regulations I'd have to get the foglights changed and jump through quite a fair bit of expensive red tape: customs clearance, taxes etc.
I would love to have my car in Spain with me, but would it be worth it?

Has anybody emigrated to Spain with their pride and joy?
I would be grateful for any advice.

And if I did go with my car, with the age/mileage of it, is there any work I should be getting sorted here in the UK before I get out there and get stiffed by a garage in Spain? I'm guessing parts would be much scarcer and vastly more expensive.

Thanks for any advice.

Hello, There is a guy on the UK MR2 Roadsters facebook forum called Simon Sinclair who did this last year and took his MR2 with him.


bell rs 1 helmet sizing

[Carolyn]

Simon is a member on here.

@bigbear007

[Petrus]

Hello, There is a guy on the UK MR2 Roadsters facebook forum called Simon Sinclair who did this last year and took his MR2 with him.

That is the BigBear we mentioned. Not ´did it´ completely yet   
He is a ´perfect´ example btw as he has started it all on time and followed correct procedures.  You can see his message was from november. He is about to recieve the last docs...
Over here in Andalucía where I live, a different state, the red tape procedures are such that it is impossoble to meet the 60 days requirements and thus impossible to avoid import duties/VAT 

[salvatore10]

Thanks for your replies everyone!

That is the BigBear we mentioned. Not ´did it´ completely yet   
He is a ´perfect´ example btw as he has started it all on time and followed correct procedures.  You can see his message was from november. He is about to recieve the last docs...
Over here in Andalucía where I live, a different state, the red tape procedures are such that it is impossoble to meet the 60 days requirements and thus impossible to avoid import duties/VAT 

That's interesting, Andalucia would be my car's home as well. I would be storing it near Almeria (where my girlfriend's parents are from) so that we could blast around the coast in it. Shame about the import taxes/VAT. Would that be paid according to Spanish prices or the UK value, which is probably 3x less?

[Petrus]

Would that be paid according to Spanish prices or the UK value, which is probably 3x less?

They will take the Spanish market value as the base.
I can refer you to a specialist here in Andalucía who does mainly UK car imports. My gf refers all of her clients to him.

[salvatore10]

They will take the Spanish market value as the base.
I can refer you to a specialist here in Andalucía who does mainly UK car imports. My gf refers all of her clients to him.

Thanks ever so much Petrus, that would be great!
Before I decide what to do it would be really great to have an idea of the costs involved. I don't want to part with my baby!     

[Petrus]

pm sent.

He is on top of his game. This is why he works with óne ITV station only so he deals with individual persons he knóws. The draw back is that all needs to go through Málaga capital. Minor hassle imo and the N340 is worth a day trip anyway.

[bigbear007]

Hi salvatore10,
I've just about got it all done now, just waiting for an insurance inspection which should be 8th Feb, Tuesday once that's done the insurance will kick in within a few days and I'll be LEGAL ON THE ROAD.
So many hoops, but if it's you baby then all worth it.
Personally I'd do it all again in a blink, there are quite a few pit falls so please feel free to message me with a phone number and I can walk you through a few, it's to much to write about here.
Many Blessings
(bigbear007) Simon, The Padre.

[Petrus]

I've just about got it all done now, just waiting for an insurance inspection which should be 8th Feb, Tuesday once that's done the insurance will kick in within a few days and I'll be LEGAL ON THE ROAD.

Gréat to read that Simon!

[salvatore10]

Hi salvatore10,
I've just about got it all done now, just waiting for an insurance inspection which should be 8th Feb, Tuesday once that's done the insurance will kick in within a few days and I'll be LEGAL ON THE ROAD.
So many hoops, but if it's you baby then all worth it.
Personally I'd do it all again in a blink, there are quite a few pit falls so please feel free to message me with a phone number and I can walk you through a few, it's to much to write about here.
Many Blessings
(bigbear007) Simon, The Padre.

Hi Simon, thanks a lot for your detailed reply!
Sorry I'm late getting back to you, I've been ill and away from my PC until now.
Glad to hear you've got it all sorted!

That's a really kind offer that I'll gladly take you up on, I'll be in touch! Thanks 

[bigbear007]

@salvatore10
Hiya, just to let you know that the Spanish government have accepted the driving licence exchange deal with the UK. From the 16th of March 2023 for 6 months only you will be able to exchange your UK licence for a Spanish one without having to take a new driving test - you only have to do a medical and awareness test at a local med centre.
After these 6 months, as it stands, you will have to take a full driving test again medical, written and practical in Spanish!
So if you moving soon don't wait to change your licence do it as soon as you can, once you've got your NIE numbers.
Blessings Simon, The Padre (bigbear007)

[bigbear007]

OH yes, by-the-way my 2 is now on Spanish plates and fully insured, the hoops to get it done are complicated, but well worth it for me the total cost was about 1,800€, it could have been cheaper, but I used a "Gestoria" (a kind of legal expert in a field, but not a lawyer) in my local town that specialises in importing cars - I can give his details if you need them, he works for folks all over Spain. Personally, I didn't trust the internet car importers they seemed to offer the world and wanted money up front when I knew it would be not as easy as they said it would be. Just to say you do need to start the process within 60 days of arrival to avoid import tax and have to have your resedencia card from the national police which will take a minimum of 40 days from your appointment with them, so act quickly once you arrive.
Blessings Simon, The Padre (bigbear007).

[Petrus]

Buenas tardes Simon.
You did good to use a specialist. Best pay for good service than to have it go wrong.

Speaking of which, my gf has processed some, well don´t know but dózens, UK drivers license swaps and is at full swing. It is all doable yourself if the forms and appointment system are not alien to you. If not confident than I´d say the above applies to this as well because as with importation, it can derail if done wrong.

The agreement is btw nót fully processed quite yet. That can take mónths. See New Zealand. The UK immigrants are (agaín!) helped out BIG TIME with a provisional (that´s why the six months) procedure during which they can swap the license pending publication of the definitive procedure in the BOE.
Regional spanish gvts are incredibly generous in bending over backwards to make personel availeble for this quite large extra workload cause by the UK!!!!  leaving the EU and at the moment all the offices are (bar the exception) very leniant at the moment so as you say best hurry.

And congrats ofcourse!
Enjoy!!


p.s. the ´residency card´ for UK immigrants is no longer a given post Brexit. They need to comply with third country requirements and there are currently NO agreements.
The various visa options are best researched with the help of a professional BEFORE setting all in motion. If taking the wrong option the 60 days will be exceeded and then some.  And that is íf the residency is approved. Again not a given anymore.