Buying & Selling a Car in Spain

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Buying & Selling a Car in Spain

Buying a Car

A foreigner may buy a Spanish-registered car in Spain provided they have one of the following:

• an official residence permit, or
• proof that they are a Spanish home owner (by showing title deeds) or
• documentation as proof of being a registered inhabitant of a town (a certificado de empadronamiento - available from the Town Hall) or
• a rental contract for a duration of minimum one year or
• An NIE/NIF number

A new or used vehicle bought (or leased) from a dealership will almost certainly have registrations and ownership transfer handled by the dealer. The dealer may also offer insurance contracts (it is a legal requirement for all vehicles to be insured, see Vehicle Insurance in Spain).

Used cars (de segunda mano/de occasion) for sale are available through dealerships, advertised in automobile magazines and journals such as Auto Seminal, Coche Actual, Mi Coche, Motor en Mano, Anuncio Motor and on websites such as Spanish auction site ebay Spain and Supermoto.

The seller provides the following:

• Proof of roadworthiness (a valid ITV test certificate)
• Proof the chassis number corresponds with that on the vehicles registration document (permiso de circulación)
• A transfer of ownership form (transferencia) 
• Receipt to show proof of paid-up car tax
• A dealer should supply a warranty and service history

The buyer must apply for the renewal of the vehicle's registration document at the local traffic department (Jefatura de Tráfico) within 30 days of purchase. 

• To find the local Jefatura de Tráfico: Click here

A foreign buyer will need to provide the following documents:

• Proof of habitation in Spain as outlined above (proof by means of residence card, NIE certificate or Certificado de la Policía, property title deeds or rental contract) 
• The vehicle's paperwork (blue and pink copies of the ITV test)
• Original of the Certificado Único 
• Proof of up-to-date payments of vehicle tax (original and copy)

In an effort to try to get some of the less environmentally efficient cars off the road, the Spanish government has been running a scheme known as the Prever Plan since 1 January 2004: the government will contribute to the cost of the new car when an old vehicle is traded in against a new one. Ask at a car dealership for more information. 

Selling a Car

It is the seller's responsibility to provide a transfer of ownership form, (transferencia) available from the traffic department Jefatura de Tráfico (See this page of the DGT website). It is a duplicate form, the buyer keeps one copy and the other is sent to the address of the issuing traffic department. 

• To find the local Jefatura de Tráfico: Click here

The seller should provide the following:

• Proof of roadworthiness (a valid ITV test certificate)
• The vehicle's registration document (permiso de circulación).
• Transfer of ownership form (transferencia) 
• Receipt to show proof of paid-up car tax

A bank cheque (Cheque Bancario) is generally regarded as the normal way to make large payments in a private transaction in Spain. Personal cheques are not guaranteed.

Take the existing registration document and completed transfer of ownership form to the traffic department. It is important to make sure that the transfer is properly completed, otherwise the seller may be held responsible for the actions of the new owner. 

Notify the insurance company that the car has been sold.

Further Information

• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on the Green Card System
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Vehicle Insurance in Spain
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Accidents in Spain
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on ITV Vehicle Roadworthiness in Spain
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Driving in Spain