Sun, 21 March 2010
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Can’t decide where to get your next car from? Here’s a guide listing the steps on importing, renting and buying a vehicle.Importing Vehicles
If you drive into Spain with an EU registered vehicle, you will need your driving licence, valid insurance and registration documents.
Spanish regulations mean you have to carry some basic repair kit in your car, including two red warning triangles (as approved by the Ministerio del Interior; www.mir.es), a spare tyre, light bulbs, and the tools to change them.
If you keep the car in Spain for more than six months, you will need to get Spanish plates fitted and register with the DGT to pay car tax (impuesto municipal sobre circulación de vehículos).
You’ll need a standardisation certificate if yours is a right-hand drive car. You can get this from any Spanish ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) centre.
Even if you bring in a left-hand drive car, you’ll need to do an ITV test to make sure your vehicle is roadworthy. ITV garages are dotted about the city. Just put “ITV” in the actividad field on www.paginasamarillas.es. Otherwise, try www.rvsa-itv.com for sites outside Barcelona.
Vehicle Leasing
Different firms have slightly different procedures, but in general, before you lease a car, your driving record and credit history will be checked. If you’ve come from within the EU, your credit history in your home country may do.
If you’ve arrived from further afield, you may have to establish a local credit history first.
Leases are by the month or annually, with the cost affected accordingly, but these should cover everything from maintenance, insurance, and the actual use of the car.
Car leasing can be done through any of the companies such as:
Avis: www.avis.es
Ballestero Alquiler: www.ballesteroalquiler.com
Central Rent A Car: www.alquiler-de-coches-barcelona.com
Easycar.com: www.easycar.com
Europcar: www.europcar.es
Hertz Car Rental: www.hertz.es
Natinoal Atesa: www.atesa.es
Pepe Car: www.pepecar.com
Sol-Mar: www.solmar.es
If a second-hand or independent dealer offers you a leasing option, do a little research on them before entering in to any sort of contract. You are likely to get the best deal (and save time) knowing what sort of size, power and type of vehicle you want, before entering a showroom.
Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in Spain.
Here's a short introduction to our Where to Live section in Spain.
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