UK resident, buying an EU registered car

Hi, so after viewing several cars online and in person has thrown up so many questions. Spanish cars seemed extremely expensive given the age and mileage. We are UK registered citizens with a holiday home. I have a couple of questions; 1. If we brought a EU car in the UK do we still have to pay import tax? If no then Question 2 will be a no but I’ll ask anyway, question 2 If we brought a EU car in the EU (not Spain) do we have to pay import tax? Question 3. Do we need a lawyer to do the paperwork? Thanks

Firstly, yes there will be taxes. If you are importing a car from a EU country there is no import duty provided you have owned the car for more than 6 months in the country you are importing it from. Otherwise there is 10% import tax. The value of the car, if not new, is reduced each year, for example 20% after 1 year, 30% after 2 years, 50% after 5 years, 80% after 10 years. The reductions are listed on the DGT website and the value is not what you paid for it but what they have listed as the value of that car. Then there is the emissions tax. This ranges from 0% for non emission (ie electric) vehicles, ranging up to 14.75% of the value if 200g CO2 .
These are:
0 electric cars
4.75% 120 to 160
9.75% 160 to 200
12% if not rated for CO2.
14.75% if over 200

Along with the necessary documents (handbook, bill of sale, etc) you need a certificate of conformity issued by the country you bought it in.
It then needs to be ITVd in Spain regardless of any other similar document (MoT).
Once it has passed the ITV, you need to register it with the DGT and there is a registration fee to pay of 98.78 euro plus IVA.
The application must be done within 30 days of bringing the car into Spain.
So. about 100 euro registration, 40 euro ITV, then the plates, 10% of the value if you have not owned it for 6 months in the country you are bringing it from plus the emissions tax and remember older cars may not be allowed into the LEZ being introduced in cities in Spain.

So, your last bit. Yes, I would think you need a gestor (professional advisor) to help you, Not a lawyer.

Now, bringing the car from UK whether on EU plates or not. If on UK plates very expensive. If on EU plates depends the same as above but 16% import duty if you can prove IVA has been paid in Spain or 21% IVA if not.

These are only things I've been told, albeit by people who seem to know what they are talking about. Best get advice from a company that deals with these imports to get the advance figures.

Yes, older cars are expensive in Spain. They lose a lot of value in the first year to 3 years then slow down. Great if you're selling but not so great if you're buying. Spain doesn't have the mass sell off of rental and demo cars like other countries which reduce the prices of older cars and the Spanish tend to keep their cars longer.

Like death, you can't avoid taxes.

I agree that compared to the UK, the going price of used vehicles in Spain is quite high. When buying our car we considered buying and driving one over but with all the costs and paperwork involved, we ended up just buying one from www.carsinspain.es instead. No hassles, all paperwork taken care of and a little warranty thrown in too.

The log book needs to be changed into a Spanish document as well ,was 75€ 8 years ago at the Torreviejca itv station (UK car)must confirm to original spec