Fleridanpoop

"Spanfeller is a twat" (theaspiringengineer) 10/23/2020 at 06:01 • Filed to: None

1

14

In Spain, imported cars from overseas (okay, not literally necessarily, but I think non-EU cars) owned by non-residents get to keep their home country’s license plates and also don’t pay VAT or road tax depending on age. So this Floridian A4 cabrio keeps the american 300x200mm frame... I see it quite often in these emigrant communities. Though, I’ve never seen a Florida car. Just Mexican from an array of states, and Texan for now.

It’s the spiritual successor to the red plates, which gave non-residents the same benefits on cars bought in Spain. But the added hassle of having to import the car from overseas probably reduced the number of people who can take advantage of this tax policy.

The red plates were controversial because a car can cost 21% less for these non-residents. The exemption supposedly extended for residents of other EU countries (read : German expats in Marbella ) and that really angered the hell out of Spanish people because, in the end, Germany is part of the same financial system than Spain thanks to the EU. At least that's what I've heard about the plates 

I’ve never gotten close enough to one to see if they also have to pass the Spanish state inspection (ITV) but I suppose they do... If that’s the case then it must be a PITA because of emissions systems and lighting. Though they do keep orange indicators like uncle sam intended.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Spanfeller is a twat 10/23/2020 at 06:42

1

Half way round the planet and back again...for just an A4. And they thought I was mad!

Spanfeller is a twat > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 10/23/2020 at 07:19

0

It might be very slightly cheaper than buying a used car here, plus you don't sell it in America. But then fuel costs are probably higher, and then if you want to sell it here, the new owner has to pay a tax on it.

Jb boin > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 10/23/2020 at 07:50

1

I t’s American so it’s a TFSI or a V6 which are not the most common in here (most of them are... diesels ) .

The cheapest used models in France are all in bad shape or RHD, decent LHD ones start around 5.5K€ with more than 200k km and are quite scarce (there is like 3 times more diesel ones ) .

Could also be a car that someone immigrating t ook with them or from someone in the army as it’s not definitely not the most interesting car to import from overseas .

Spanfeller is a twat > Jb boin 10/23/2020 at 07:59

0

Galicia has no US army bases... So it would be quite rare.

Many Galicians emigrated to Mexico, Venezuela, Switzerland, Germany, the US during the Spanish Civil War and during the francoist period (in which the economy in Galicia was... Bad....) So many towns are full of e migrants who return here after retiring or on summer breaks... Hence the cars with foreign license plates. I think that bringing a car from Mexico costs around 1000 euros on a boat from Veracruz to Vigo but don't quote me on that.

Jb boin > Spanfeller is a twat 10/23/2020 at 08:00

1

Registering and US car in France seems to be simple for cars older than 30 years old (5.5% VAT, no tarif and no homologation) but for younger cars it’s 30% of taxes (20% of VAT and 10% of tarif) plus an homologation costing at least 3500€ (but might cost less per vehicle if you import the same model multiple times) ; i did not double- check this info on a second website but it seems that it’s not worth it on most recent cars .

At least, w e don’t have road taxes or things like that, only an eco-tax on new cars .

Spanfeller is a twat > Jb boin 10/23/2020 at 08:02

0

I think its not a road tax like in the UK .. its a fixed license plate tax. But here it's 0% on everything I believe.... Of course, so long as you're not a resident.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Spanfeller is a twat 10/23/2020 at 08:54

0

Well that’s an unusual one. How long can you drive it around before you have to go through the usual chan else for registration?

Though maybe they intend to sell the car there. The US power train and probably more luxuries that come along with it like heated power lea ther seats or whatever it has might be desirable to someone. The question is: does it have amber rear indicators?

Funny how a car can be so far frofrom home yet not stand out sat all. I nearly missed this Renault Captur I saw in traffic a few days ago.

Spanfeller is a twat > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/23/2020 at 09:04

1

So long as you're not a resident... So six months a year. After six months and a day you're meant to register it.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Spanfeller is a twat 10/23/2020 at 09:19

0

Would you then have to pay an import duty  on it? Also curious if you’d have to retrofit amber turn indicators in the rear if it didn’t already have them. 

Spanfeller is a twat > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/23/2020 at 10:36

1

my understanding is that so long as it can be insured (and to get insurance, you need to have the state inspect it) it can roll. No import duties or other taxes. I also think they don’t need any sort of lighting retrofit but might require some emissions retrofits. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Spanfeller is a twat 10/23/2020 at 10:44

0

I don’t really know how that works but what sort of emissions equipment would need to be retrofitted? As long as it has the original factory stuff, it seems like there isn’t too much to be done besides maybe a new certified catalytic converter or something.

Spanfeller is a twat > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/23/2020 at 10:49

1

probably anything CARB compliant would also pass the Spanish state inspection. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Spanfeller is a twat 10/23/2020 at 10:50

0

So the original factory equipment unless for some reason Audi did different equipment for more lenient states.

Spanfeller is a twat > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/23/2020 at 10:59

0

I have no clue about Audi, but I know that chrysler did sell versions of their v8 that weren’t carb compliant in some markets. not sure if it’s still done though