Talk Quesada forum

How do you actually get a campervan here?

What I mean is, when I move here in September. Say I then go back to UK, where I no longer have a permanent address.

I buy a campervan in say Sheffield. To drive it legally i have to make sure I buy it with an full MOT already on. I then go online and buy a tax disc. But how do I insure it such I can legally drive it back to Alicante? No UK company will insure me, if I dont have a UK address!

I assume id have to insure it online with a Spanish company? Which ones will do this? Does my UK No Claims Bonus still hold up ?

Since the Ferry is usually booked up 3 onths in advance, I guess then Id have to drive it thru the chunnel? Do I have to book that, or can you just turn up and get a place ?

https://www.caserexpatinsurance.com/ will accept Uk ncb

Buy one over here, you won't have to re-register it, pay import duty and you'll have an address in Spain so you'd be able to insure it with a Spanish company.

Buy UK. Inc. import tax will still be cheaper than buying in Spain

No delay at ferry, usually can book same day, or get your Spanish insurance to cover you in the uk, just like you would if you were in the uk and bought in Spain. It’s not rocket science.

You can usually just turn up at the channel tunnel although it’s cheaper to book in advance.
Do you not have a friend or relation who’s address you can use to register and insure the van?
Bear in mind that if you have a U.K. van that you plan to keep here you’ll have to take it back to the UK to be MOT’d each year unless you have it reregistered and altered for Spain. Also your U.K. insurance may not cover you for more than 3 months abroad.

Can I suggest you talk to a local dealer, many of which either stock or have access to left hand drive vehicles imported from the continent. If they supply the vehicle they will usually include 12 months vehicle excise duty. Speak also to a specialist insurer such as Safeguard who will advise you about insurance and the limits on continental use each year. It may be sensible to go for a monthly payment option and then cancel the policy when you insure in Spain. If you keep the vehicle in Spain for more than 6 months, you will need to transfer it on to Spanish registration and have it ITV tested which means changing headlights and possibly rear fog light position if it is a uk vehicle.
There are plenty of channel crossings with space which will always be cheaper if pre booked. The only complication is that accommodation may be very limited on board if an overnight sailing is preferred option.

Used vehicles are expensive in Spain, but to save the hassle of buying in U.K. and converting in Spain, it may be less painless to explore the Spanish vehicle option

Dealers....very expensive, there in it for the profit, and tend to want stupid prices.. Road tax cannot now be transferred, the law was changed about 2 months ago. When you buy and sell a vehicle, the road tax is cancelled, outstanding tax refunded automatically and the new owner has to buy Tax from scratch.

Further to the transfer of the uk vehicle, it also has to be gas and mains tested to the Spanish regulations. We bought in Spain, bearing in mind, you will get one years warranty with the company you buy your motorhome from, it'll be LHD, no import duty. Have a drive up to carananas Cruz and take a good look

Ok i have bought a Fiat Ducato Hymer 4 Berth (Says "14" on the wing), 2.5 diesel, Left hand drive, left hand headlamps, built in Germany, registered in UK 1992 , so that should be easy to put spanish plates on. Engine has just been services, new cambelt, oil, filters and belts all round.

Starts ok, runs as well as a tractor engine can do, shifts gear ok. Theres millions of them aorund, so spares should be easy too.