Buying a car for use in uk

Jonnno wrote:That sounds more positive. How do I do It?

I'm sorry, I can't see the issue unless jpeg is right about Spanish residents not being able to insure UK cars (easily). I bought the UK car originally when I was resident there for a period and I've bought cars here as both resident and non-resident. I've insured both and have had a Spanish licence for both my current car purchases. I bought the UK one with cash and the Spanish one with finance. I own a house in the UK where the UK car is registered to if that makes a difference. There are plenty of Brits with holiday homes who own run around cars over here (i.e. the reverse of what you are proposing). Maybe I'm missing something, but it has been straightforward for me so far.

Seems like it should be reasonably straight forward but with all the changes post brexit its hard to keep tabs.

I am thinking of buying a car in uk to use in uk. I probably spend around 10 weeks a year in uk. So I would pay road tax and insurance for the full year in uk and mot. Just wondered if it was legal to do so. Obviously it would work out cheaper if I could find someone else to share the costs with.

If you are planning to buy a car to keep for a long time you should consider the restrictions that are likely to affect all non electric vehicles. It's already started in major cities and is likely to be extended as we approach 2030......it's only just over 8 years away.

In and of itself holding a Spanish licence is not the issue, what is is the fact that to qualify for UK insurance first and foremost requires that you be UK resident.

Simply having a UK address does not fulfil that and while you might be able to acquire insurance it would be by deception leaving you open to potentially ruinous repercussions in the event of an accident.

A Spanish registered car can only remain in UK for a maximum of 6 months in any 12 so that idea doesn't fly.

Paul Uden wrote:
I'm sorry, I can't see the issue unless jpeg is right about Spanish residents not being able to insure UK cars (easily). I bought the UK car originally when I was resident there for a period and I've bought cars here as both resident and non-resident. I've insured both and have had a Spanish licence for both my current car purchases. I bought the UK one with cash and the Spanish one with finance. I own a house in the UK where the UK car is registered to if that makes a difference. There are plenty of Brits with holiday homes who own run around cars over here (i.e. the reverse of what you are proposing). Maybe I'm missing something, but it has been straightforward for me so far.

lf you have insured a car in UK without disclosing that you are not UK resident then you are in the "potentially ruinous" position I mentioned.

If you doubt me, and if you dare, ask your insurer!

Darro wrote:

Paul Uden wrote:
I'm sorry, I can't see the issue unless jpeg is right about Spanish residents not being able to insure UK cars (easily). I bought the UK car originally when I was resident there for a period and I've bought cars here as both resident and non-resident. I've insured both and have had a Spanish licence for both my current car purchases. I bought the UK one with cash and the Spanish one with finance. I own a house in the UK where the UK car is registered to if that makes a difference. There are plenty of Brits with holiday homes who own run around cars over here (i.e. the reverse of what you are proposing). Maybe I'm missing something, but it has been straightforward for me so far.

lf you have insured a car in UK without disclosing that you are not UK resident then you are in the "potentially ruinous" position I mentioned.

If you doubt me, and if you dare, ask your insurer!

Interesting. I will check my full policy wording. I don't recall residency being a question at the time I took out the most recent policy so I don't see how it's 'deception'. I assume you are not saying it can't be done though, just that it should be declared. There are many people resident in the UK who do the reverse and insure a car in Spain, presumably using their 'temporary' Spanish addresses.

Jonnno wrote:Seems like it should be reasonably straight forward but with all the changes post brexit its hard to keep tabs.

I am thinking of buying a car in uk to use in uk. I probably spend around 10 weeks a year in uk. So I would pay road tax and insurance for the full year in uk and mot. Just wondered if it was legal to do so. Obviously it would work out cheaper if I could find someone else to share the costs with.

I can't comment on 'legality'. Others seem to be saying it is important to declare your residency status to insurers.

There's an article covering a number of scenarios here:

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/car-in ... residents/

These people market themselves as specialising in insuring 'ex-pats' with UK vehicles:

https://www.keithmichaels.co.uk/expat-c ... -a-uk-car/

Hi, cars in the UK are very expensive at the moment, lack of production due to Covid, lack of imports due to Brexit have increased prices

Jonnno wrote:Seems like it should be reasonably straight forward but with all the changes post brexit its hard to keep tabs.

I am thinking of buying a car in uk to use in uk. I probably spend around 10 weeks a year in uk. So I would pay road tax and insurance for the full year in uk and mot. Just wondered if it was legal to do so. Obviously it would work out cheaper if I could find someone else to share the costs with.

Depending on the size of the car and fuel Type the road tax can be anything from Zero to over £1000.
I have a Focus Eco Boost road Tax £30 My daughter has a Peugeot 108 and pays zero road tax. My last Car 2.0 ltr Petrol Qashqai was £275.
Its like everything else, it just depends on what you want.

Provided you are the registered keeper and owner. Have somewhere to keep it I can't Imagine there would be a problem

Maybe a way to start and check for yourself would be to find a car on ebay or Auto trader.
Then use the cars registration number on Insurance comparison websites and see if any barriers are thrown up.
Just a thought