CASE STUDY – Change of Ownership of a Car

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We received an enquiry today, which is quite common:-

“Are you are to arrange the title transfer of a vehicle I am about to purchase from a friend in Calpe. I am living in Almeria and have to return to the UK next Monday.  I can get all the relevant copies of documents, sale/purchase contract, NIE’s, padrons and the completed transfer document. I could meet along the coast between Murcia or Alicante airports.”

Our colleague Nicola answered it like this:

Thank you for your enquiry. I have been passed on your email as I deal with Trafico matters.  We would be delighted to help you but unfortunately, we wouldn’t be in a position to come and meet you to collect the documentation. Most of the documents can be scanned and sent to us by email, we would only need the original ITV, Logbook and Contract of Sale, but these could be sent to us by courier
to ensure their safe arrival, I would not recommend for the documents to be sent by normal post.

Once the change of ownership has taken place, your new log book and existing ITV would be delivered to our office in La Zenia and would need to be collected from there.  We, unfortunately, don’t offer a postal service for the documents. Should you be happy to proceed with this, we would require the following documents to complete the change of ownership;

-NIE & passport for the buyer & seller

-Padron or electricity or water bill in the buyer’s name (Not more than 6 months old to confirm the buyer’s address)

-Original Contract of Sale. (we can provide this if you do not have one)

-Original Logbook & ITV

-SUMA invoice (to ensure there are no debts on the car)

Once the documents are submitted to Trafico, they will provide a Justificante which will allow you to use the car in the absence of the log book and ITV.

Our fee & Trafico fee for this is 242€ + Taxes which will be calculated by Trafico upon receipt of the Logbook and ITV.

If you email me a copy of the ITV and Logbook we can confirm the total cost for the change of ownership before you proceed.

Should you have any queries in regards to this please do not hesitate to contact me.”

The client then asked if the car was registered in a certain province does it have to be changed over in that province and we reassured him that we could deal with it in the Alicante region.  He thanked us and said he would go ahead.

9 Comments

  • Shirley Pettit

    Bought my car from Bargain Cars in Estepona however they did not transfer car in my name. The company have gone. I tried with an office they could sort out but now they are unable. What can I do.

    • Nicola Ryan

      Good Morning Shirley,
      Thank you for your enquiry.

      We understand your frustration, we will need some further information before referring this matter to Trafico for their advice.

      We will email you directly.

      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Glyn Lane

    My Neighbor passed away last year and his car has been sat on his driveway , it has insurance and the Suma is up to date, his partner who don’t drive has asked me to buy the car as it upsets him that its left on his driveway. I am happy to buy the vehicle and ITV it as that has just expired, however the car is in the name of the deceased. How can his partner complete the name change. He has a Will that says the estate was left to him . I cant take the car from him until it can be put in my name so it has to be left on his driveway which upsets him.

    • Amanda Thomas

      Dear Glyn, When someone dies with any Spanish assets (could be a car, bank account, property or several things), a probate process has to be done with a deed to transfer assets to the next of kin (per the Will) and it has to go through tax office to pay any relevant taxes (or there may be none but it still must be stamped). The Will does not transfer the assets only a probate, which a solicitor would need to do. Then the car needs to be changed at Trafico using the probate deed, the taxes and some forms to the ownership of the heir. Only at that time can he then sell it to you with a new change of ownership. It cannot skip the step of putting it into his name unfortunately. So he needs to contact us to arrange the probate as a first step. With kind regards, Amanda

    • Nicola Ryan

      Good Afternoon Glyn,

      Thank you for your enquiry.

      This can be a common problem, we have dealt with many cases like this. After the probate has been completed, the car has to go into the heirs name. When this has been done he or she has the power to sell the car or continue to use the car. We would not recommend buying the car until you know for sure that the probate has been done or at least it is in process, otherwise the car will not go into your name. Should you or the heir, need any assistance with the name change, please do not hesitate to contact us.

      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Peter

    Hi I’m looking to buy a Spanish registered car in the UK then drive it back to Spain and use it there.
    Do you know any reliable sites to find out if the car as any past debt. The car is being sold privately.

    Regards
    Peter

    • Nicola Ryan

      Afternoon Peter,

      Thank you for your enquiry.

      We can help you with debt check on the car and also the name change when the car has been purchased.

      To check the car for debts we would need the registration number and also the make and model of the car. We will contact you directly to discuss this matter further.
      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Alison

    I’ve inherited my step fathers car and house
    The house is sold
    All taxes have been paid
    I live in the uk
    I need to transfer the car into my name before I can sell
    How can I do this if I don’t have a Spanish address
    Can I register the car to a friends address in spain
    ?
    Can every thing be done online ?
    All documents scanned then e mailed
    Hope someone can help I’m getting nowhere fast
    With different advice
    Thankyou

    • Nicola Ryan

      Good Afternoon Alison,

      We received your enquiry by email also and have replied via email. We can help you for sure, but need some further information.

      We look forward to your reply via email.
      Kind regards
      Nicola

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