Selling a car on Spanish plates in the UK sounds complicated, but it needn't be. Here's what each Spanish document is for, and exactly what we need from you to buy your car.
Permiso
The permiso de circulación is the registration certificate issued by the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico). It shows the matrícula (registration), the titular (registered keeper), the VIN (número de bastidor) and the date of first registration. Spanish plates since 2000 use four numbers and three letters, such as 1234 BCD; older cars may still carry provincial plates like M-1234-AB or MA-5678-CD. Please have the original ready, in your name.
Ficha técnica
The ficha técnica, or tarjeta de inspección técnica, records the car's specification and type-approval details, and older cards are stamped with ITV inspections. For newer cars the DGT may hold it electronically rather than on paper. Together with the permiso de circulación, it is the paperwork we most want to see.
ITV
The ITV is the Spanish equivalent of the MOT, and a valid test is shown by a coloured sticker on the windscreen. If you have the latest ITV report, send us a photo: it helps us understand the car's condition. An expired ITV doesn't stop us buying the car.
Informe DGT
The DGT's informe de vehículo shows the car's registered keepers, ITV history and whether there is anything recorded against it, such as an embargo or a reserva de dominio from a finance company. A recent report lets us move quickly, so if you can download one, please do.
Baja
While a car stays on the Spanish register, the town hall where it is registered may keep sending the annual road tax (IVTM) to the titular. When a car leaves Spain permanently it can be taken off the register for export (a baja). Every situation is a little different, so we'll tell you what applies to your car and what we need from you.
UK side
To go on UK plates, a car brought in from Spain needs a NOVA notification to HMRC, an MOT and a DVLA registration application. When you sell to us you don't need to do any of that: we buy the car on its Spanish plates and handle the UK registration ourselves.
This page is a plain-English guide, not legal or tax advice. Spanish procedures and local road tax rules vary: we'll always tell you exactly what applies to your car.
Tell us the situation. If the transfer (transferencia) was never completed, or the car belonged to a family member, we can often still help, but we'll need proof that you have the right to sell it.
While a car remains on the Spanish register, the town hall may keep billing the registered keeper for IVTM. Taking it off the register stops that. Ask us and we'll explain the options.
It usually means a finance company still has an interest in the car. Tell us up front and we'll talk through how it can be cleared.
No. We buy cars with or without a current ITV. If you have the latest report, it helps us price the car accurately.
Usually not. If it is registered in the UK, the V5C is what matters, and any Spanish documents are a useful part of the history.
