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Buying a Used Car in Spain: Checks, Taxes and Paperwork
Buying a car in Spain is straightforward once you know the checks and fees. Here’s how to buy safely, especially from a private seller.
By
How to Live in Spain
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2 min read
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To buy a car in Spain you need an NIE and a Spanish address. Dealers give a warranty and handle most of the paperwork; private sales are cheaper, but the checks and the transfer are up to you.
Checks before you pay
Order a DGT vehicle report online for €8.67. It shows previous owners, debts, fines and mileage history. Make sure the ITV, the roadworthiness inspection, is valid, and check the environmental label: older cars may be banned from low-emission zones in cities.
The sale and the taxes
Sign a sales contract, with both parties signing every page and including ID numbers. Pay the transfer tax to your region with form 620; rates vary, and older cars are often cheaper. Then register the change of owner at the DGT within 30 days, for a fee of €55.70. A gestor can do the transfer for you.
Before you drive
Third-party insurance is compulsory before you drive, and your town charges an annual vehicle tax, the IVTM. If you’re moving from the UK, remember to exchange your licence within six months of becoming resident.
Buy with confidence using our buying a car in Spain checklist.
You need an NIE and a Spanish address
Order the €8.67 DGT vehicle report
Check the ITV and environmental label
Transfer within 30 days for €55.70
Insure the car before you drive it
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