Buy, import, or maintain your car — without chaos.
Services first (mechanic, tyres, batteries, detailing), then official and multi-brand dealers. Guides are available when needed — but they don’t steal the spotlight.
Services
Mechanic · Body & Paint · Tyres · Batteries · Detailing & Protection
Talleres Auto-M (Marbella)
Bateriasonline.com
Detailing and Protection Services
High-end protection, fixed studios, and mobile services.
High-end fixed services
General fixed detailing services
Nicolás Car Detailing
Mobile detailing services
Kaba Detailing Marbella
Auto Home Services
Mr. Wash
Official dealers
Brand showrooms + official service points (where applicable).
Tesla (Store Málaga + local point)
Multi-brand dealers
Used + specialist sales.
Carlos de Salamanca
Clear, friendly steps — without headaches
Everything is collapsed until someone opens it. Pick one guide and follow the steps like a checklist.
Quick overview
Think of this like a safe buying flow: check the car, check the papers, agree in writing, then transfer ownership.
- Before you travel: ask for the VIN, mileage, service history, and photos of any damage. If they avoid simple questions, skip.
- Confirm the seller: the name on their ID should match the name on the paperwork. (If it doesn’t, ask why before doing anything else.)
- Check the car in person: cold start, warning lights, tyres, brakes, fluids, leaks, plus a test drive with city + motorway if possible.
- Paperwork sanity check: make sure the vehicle details match the car: VIN, plate, model, and dates.
- Agree a written contract: include buyer/seller details, VIN, mileage, price, date/time, and “sold as seen” wording if it’s a private sale.
- Pay safely: bank transfer is best. If you use a deposit, keep proof and write it in the contract.
- Transfer ownership: do the “cambio de titularidad” process and keep copies of everything.
- After purchase: sort insurance, keep your contract + proof of payment, and book a basic service if needed.
Quick overview
Importing is basically: documents → ITV import inspection → taxes/fees → DGT registration → plates + insurance.
- Collect documents early: purchase invoice/contract, foreign registration papers, and COC (Certificate of Conformity) if available.
- Plan how the car arrives: transporter vs driving it. Make sure the trip is legal and insured for your situation.
- Prepare for ITV import: book the “import” inspection and bring all technical docs. Outcome: a Spanish technical file (“ficha técnica”).
- Handle taxes/fees: what applies depends on your case (where it comes from, age, emissions, residency, etc.).
- Register at DGT: submit the file, pay the fees, and request registration + plates.
- Get plates made: once you have the registration details, you can create plates.
- Insurance: switch from temporary/transport setup to your final policy once plates are issued.
- Final checks: keep a tidy folder with every receipt + document. It saves headaches later.