Homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain
December 16, 2024
Homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain
An introduction to what you need to know when importing a car from abroad to Spain
Thinking of importing a car from Germany, Dubai, the United States, China or even Japan?
Have you bought a vehicle abroad, on the internet or at a car auction?
Then this will be very much of interest to you.
More and more people are opting to buy vehicles outside Spain for a variety of reasons: lower prices, exclusive models, better treatment, lower mileage, better equipped versions or simply a passion for motoring.
However, many do not know that, on arrival in Spain, such a car cannot be driven legally until it has passed a compulsory process;
Enter – homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain.
This process is not optional. It does not matter if the car is new, second hand, classic, electric, hybrid or combustion. Bottom line without the homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain, there is no ITV, no registration, and no valid insurance.
That is why we have prepared this guide, to explain in a simple and straightforward way everything you need to know about the homologation and certification of foreign cars / vehicles, from the types of homologation available to an example of some costs, necessary documentation, deadlines and real solutions in order to avoid problems.
What is the homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain.?
The homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain is a legal and technical procedure by which it is verified that a vehicle complies with the regulations and standards required by European legislation and therefore Spain.
In other words: it is the ” official approval ” that allows a car to be legally registered and driven on Spanish or European roads.
Without the help of professionals such as Gorian Customs Brokers, for an individual, the process almost always ends up being complex, but it has a clear logic: to ensure that imported vehicles do not pose risks to road safety, the public and the environment.
Spain, as part of the European Union, applies strict regulations on emissions, noise, active and passive safety, lighting, tyres, seat belts, etc.
And this is where the different types of homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain come in:
If the car comes from within the EU and has a valid homologation certification approval, the process is simpler.
If the car comes from outside the EU (USA, Japan, Dubai – Emirates, China, etc.), or if it has been modified, you will probably need a new, individual or unit type-approval certificate / homologation.
In other words, each case is different, which is why it is so important to consult with us and learn about the options and steps before buying and / or shipping the car.
Homologation certification of cars / vehicles imported from Dubai and China
The classic option! Although vehicles imported from countries such as Germany or the United States are common in Spain, it is becoming more and more frequent that we have enquiries and imports of cars /vehicles from markets such as Dubai and China need specific homologation and certification solutions.
These vehicles often do NOT have the standardised documentation that is required in Europe, such as the Certificate / Declaration of Conformity (CoC)(DoC), which complicates their registration and Homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain if you do not work with a specialised and experienced customs brokers agency like us.
Cars imported from Dubai, for example, are often designed to comply with local regulations that do not always match European regulations.
Similarly, vehicles from China may lack the homologation and certification necessary to circulate legally in the European Union, as many of these models have not been certified by the European authorities.
Regardless of the origin of the import, the homologation of cars and vehicles in Spain must be complied with when it is lacking.
This is where we come in: as customs clearance agents specialised in importing cars from abroad and the Homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain, we offer specialised solutions for this type of vehicle.
Together with our specialised technicians, we manage the entire individual or unitary homologation process, including communication with the laboratories and technicians who carry out the necessary tests to ensure that the vehicle complies with Spanish and European regulations.
We can help you with our comprehensive solutions for the homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain of these cars / vehicles imported from Dubai or China, analysing that they can be registered and complying with all the legal requirements prior to shipping.
Thanks to our experience and that of our inspectors and collaborators, we can offer you a consultation to outline the specific procedures and steps necessary for your foreign car or vehicle to obtain the corresponding homologation with the minimum of effort.
"THERE IS NO OPTION - No homologation certificate, no MOT, no registration, no valid insurance. End of the line."
What is individual or unitary homologation certificate approval?
In general – unit type-approval certificate applies to single, converted or imported vehicles from outside the EU which do not have a previous recognised EU homologations.
It is a customised procedure that assesses the car as a “single complete part”, and is usually more complex (and expensive) than a standard homologation certification.
For example:
A sports car imported from Dubai.
A modified German SUV with non-approved accessories.
A Chinese car without a European technical data file.
This type of homologation certificate requires a detailed technical inspection, laboratory testing in many cases, and a thorough review of the vehicle documents.
How much does a unitary homologation certificate cost in Spain?
¡La pregunta del millón!
NO HAY un precio estándar, y precios pueden variar dependiendo en muchos factores. Complejidad de inspección, tiempo necesario para cumplir la homologación y valor del vehículo, siendo solo tres.
Precios varían bastante, pero para poner una estimación orientativa, a la fecha de escribir este blog, un coste mínimo oscila entre 2.500 y 3.000 euros (+IVA), y pueden subir más dependiendo del tipo de vehículo, sus modificaciones y si hay que hacer ensayos adicionales etc.
Pero esta claro, si eres un empresario dedicando a la importación de vehículos o un particular seriamente considerando importar un coche desde el extranjero como Dubai o China, nuestros clientes confirman que aun con el coste de la homologación, sigue saliendo rentable.
Nuestra experiencia dicta que estos costes de una Homologación de coches y vehículos en España individual, normalmente incluyen todo lo básico.
Sin embargo, si faltan documentos, si el vehículo tiene alteraciones técnicas o si hay que hacer pruebas específicas (ruido, emisiones…), el precio sube.
💡 Consejo profesional: Abonar una consulta con nosotros y los inspectores / laboratorio, y asegúrate de tener toda la documentación técnica, fotos etc.. ANTES de traer el coche a España.
Es mucho más fácil y barato que intentar obtenerla después.
Homologation of cars and vehicles in Spain
What documents do you need for the Homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain?
In order to process the Homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain, either individually or as a unit for a foreign car, you will usually need:
Country of origin technical data sheet (with sworn translation if outside the EU)
Certificate / Declaration of Conformity (CoC)(DoC) if any
Invoice or sales contract
Proof of transport
Identity card or passport of the holder
Proof of payment of taxes (VAT, etc…)
Photos of all sides of the vehicle and its builder’s plates (VERY IMPORTANT)
In some cases, you will also be asked for laboratory certificates, emission tests, reduced data sheets and other specific documents.
A good option for information on the legal basis is this Guide to official regulations on the Homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain, published by the Ministry of Industry itself.
“We are pioneers in customs solutions for the yachting industry.
Our Customs Clearance Agency specialises in offering comprehensive nautical solutions for yachts and recreational pleasure craft.
Some of our solutions include:
Import and Export of Yachts and boats
We provide advice and complete management in the permanent and temporary import of yachts and pleasure boats, ensuring compliance with all customs regulations. Our team takes care of all the necessary formalities to facilitate the entry or exit of your yacht into or out of the European Union. gorian.es
Inward Processing Relief
(IPR)
We offer specialised solutions in the Inward Processing Relief and Tax Management, allowing non-EU yachts, vessels and recreational craft alike to carry out maintenance, repair or reconditioning work in Spain without incurring additional VAT costs. Our team ensures proper management and compliance with current regulations, optimising the benefits of this regime for our clients. gorian.es
Solutions for Boat Charters in the EU
We advise on customs and tax management for companies and individuals who wish to offer charter services with their yachts or pleasure boats, guaranteeing compliance with all legal obligations and facilitating commercial operations in Spanish territory.
Since 2012 our experience in the nautical and customs sector allows us to offer professional solutions tailored to the specific needs of each client.
“At Gorian Customs Clearance Agency in Malaga, we are proud to be the only customs agency that has a qualified inspector authorised by the EU authorities to inspect yachts and pleasure craft to award the CE mark in Europe, and is also a marine surveyor forming part of the management of the company”.
Contact us for a personalised consultation and find out how we can help you with the customs clearance of your yacht or vessel.
How long does the Homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain take?
Again it all depends on the complexity and requirements of the inspector / laboratory to fulfil the homologation. The more “special, strange or modified” the longer obviously!
Individual car / vehicle homologation can take between 4 and 10 weeks, although if everything is in order, some procedures can be closed within 30 days.
The problem is that if you lack some documentation, the car has undeclared modifications, problems with the reliability of the translation of the documents or lack of, or there are administrative errors, it can take much longer.
⏱ Are you in a hurry? We may be able to help you speed up the process.
Paying a consultation fee opens the door to direct contact with laboratories and inspectors, and with our experience with Homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain which allows us to avoid common mistakes and pull the right strings from day one in a logical and orderly manner reducing the likelihood of surprises.
Common problems in the Homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain
(don’t worry, we have the solutions to help you).
1. The car has no European homologation / “password” or “key”:
This is common with vehicles from USA, Japan, Dubai – Emirates, China…
2. The MOT does not accept the documentation:
Sometimes, even if you have papers, the MOT (ITV in Spain) station requires a Spanish technical sheet.
3. Missing certificates:
Without an emissions or noise certificate, the process can be blocked.
4. The vehicle has been modified:
Roll bars, sports suspension, spoilers… All these have to be declared and justified.
All the more reason to insist that good planning and preparation by contracting our solutions BEFORE hand can reduce (if not almost completely avoid) these common problems.
The GORIAN difference
Can it be done without a professional?
Although there are some“Spartans” on internet forums and individuals with a lot of time on their hands to mess with the administration, who would say yes… it is NOT AT ALL RECOMMENDABLE!
A number of enquiries we receive that we then convert into customers are to repair the mismanagement of others, or to continue where the Importer or owner found a problem that they could not, or did not know how to, solve.
We must never forget – It is a very technical, legal process, full of details that change depending on the type of vehicle, year, country of origin, etc.
We consider that sooner or later in the process it will be mandatory to work with a professional specialised in Homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain and the SA import documentation for your import, and we consider that there is no one better than us as we can organise and perform not only the Homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain, but also the transport and, most importantly, the CORRECT IMPORTATION and DECLARATION TO CUSTOMS AND TAX OFFICE (AEAT)!
At Gorian Customs Clearance Agents we work all over Spain and we are the ONLY customs agency that can incorporate the solutions we propose in this guide (all under one roof and without talking to multiple people during the process), carry out the homologation, the logistics / transport from origin and as customs agents authorised by the Spanish Tax Office – AEAT, we can carry out all the documentation and import documentation which is IMPERATIVE to continue with the homologation and then pass the ITV (MOT).
If you don’t want to risk wasting time and money, start by paying for an initial consultation, we can assess the possibilities and help you from the very first step, and befpre the purchase or shipment.
We handle all homologation of foreign cars / vehicles quickly, legally and with technical information.
It is not impossible to certify / legalise a foreign car in Spain, but it isnot a simple procedureeither. With good documentation, technical advice and planning, you can legalise your vehicle without to many surprises.
Whether it is an American classic, a German sports car or a Japanese utility vehicle… and whether it is imported from Dubai, China or Europe, the Homologation certification of cars and vehicles in Spain is the key step that turns your purchase into a dream come true.
Don’t know where to start?
At Gorian.es we can take care of the whole process for you.
From transport, import documentation and technical documentation, to final registration. Contact us and drive with total peace of mind.
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Source: Gorian Customs Clearance Agency
December 16, 2024
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