Vehicle Buyer Protection Pack Spain
Before buying this vehicle, protect yourself for €49
Buying a second-hand car in Spain can be risky if you do not know exactly what you are buying.
Outstanding finance, a reserva de dominio, embargoes, administrative restrictions or discrepancies in the vehicle’s history could delay, or even prevent, the ownership transfer.
Our Vehicle Buyer Protection Pack combines official vehicle information with an experienced, plain-English assessment so that you can make a more informed decision before paying the seller.
Vehicle Buyer Protection Pack: €49
For Spanish-registered cars, motorbikes, vans and other vehicles.
A vehicle can look good and still have problems attached to it
A test drive and mechanical inspection can tell you about the physical condition of a vehicle. They will not necessarily reveal whether it has outstanding finance, an embargo, a reserva de dominio or another recorded restriction.
These issues may only become apparent when you attempt to transfer the vehicle into your name.
Our pre-purchase vehicle check helps you identify potential problems before you hand over your money.
The pack can help identify:
- Outstanding finance or a reserva de dominio
- Embargoes, seals or other recorded charges
- Administrative restrictions
- Possible barriers to changing vehicle ownership
- Discrepancies in the vehicle information supplied
- Relevant ITV, mileage and ownership-history information shown in the DGT report
- Matters that should be resolved or clarified before payment
What is included?
Full DGT Vehicle Report
We obtain and review the full DGT vehicle report for the Spanish-registered vehicle.
Depending on the information recorded, this can include:
- Current administrative status
- Technical vehicle details
- ITV history and recorded results
- Recorded mileage
- Number of previous owners
- Insurance information
- Embargoes, seals and administrative restrictions
- Other information that may affect the vehicle or its transfer
We do not simply send you the Spanish report. We review the relevant information and explain what it means.
Registro de Bienes Muebles Search
We request a vehicle search from the Registro de Bienes Muebles.
This search can reveal registered charges such as a reserva de dominio, which is commonly connected to vehicle finance, as well as embargoes or other entries recorded against the vehicle.
A finance agreement may have been paid, but a reserva de dominio can sometimes remain registered until it is formally cancelled. This can prevent the vehicle from being transferred.
Plain-English Assessment
Official Spanish documents are not always easy to interpret—particularly when you are unfamiliar with the terminology or Spanish administrative system.
We compare the available information and give you a straightforward English explanation of:
- What the reports show
- Any matters that require attention
- Whether we have identified a potential transfer problem
- What you should ask the seller to clarify
- What should be resolved before you pay
Green, Amber or Red Recommendation
Your assessment will contain one of three clear recommendations.
GREEN — No significant warning identified
We have not found a significant concern in the official information reviewed that would currently prevent us from recommending that you continue with the purchase process.
You should still arrange an appropriate mechanical inspection and complete the normal purchase and ownership-transfer requirements.
AMBER — Clarification or action needed
Something requires further explanation, evidence or action before you pay the seller.
This does not automatically mean that you should reject the vehicle. However, we recommend pausing the purchase until the matter has been satisfactorily clarified or resolved.
RED — Do not proceed yet
We have identified a serious concern or likely obstacle.
You should not pay for the vehicle until the problem has been properly investigated and resolved. Depending on the issue, you may decide not to continue with the purchase.
How it works
Send us the vehicle details
Provide the vehicle registration number and your contact information. We may request the VIN or additional information if it is needed to identify the correct vehicle.
We obtain the official information
We request the full DGT vehicle report and the relevant search from the Registro de Bienes Muebles.
We assess the results
We review the information for recorded charges, restrictions, inconsistencies and potential ownership-transfer problems.
You receive your Buyer Protection Report
We send you a clear report in English containing our findings, recommendations, and suggested next steps.
What you will receive
Your completed Vehicle Buyer Protection Pack includes:
- The full DGT vehicle report
- The result of the Registro de Bienes Muebles search
- A summary of the vehicle information reviewed
- An explanation of any important entries or warning signs
- An assessment of possible ownership-transfer problems
- A green, amber or red recommendation
- Practical actions to take before paying the seller
- Access to our free Spanish vehicle-transfer cost calculator
- The option to ask us to complete the vehicle ownership transfer if you decide to buy
Everything is delivered electronically, so you can use the service from anywhere in Spain, or before travelling to Spain to purchase the vehicle.
Why use both checks?
The DGT and Registro de Bienes Muebles hold different types of information.
A DGT report contains valuable administrative, technical, ITV and vehicle-history information. The Registro de Bienes Muebles is especially important when checking for registered finance-related charges such as a reserva de dominio.
Using both sources gives you a more complete picture than relying on one report alone.
The real value of the pack is not simply obtaining the documents. It is having the information reviewed together and explained in clear English, with practical guidance about what to do next.
Already know which vehicle you want to buy?
Use our free Spanish car and motorbike transfer-cost calculator to estimate the applicable taxes, DGT charges and transfer costs.
If you decide to proceed, Simple English Advice can also complete the Spanish vehicle ownership transfer for you.
English-speaking vehicle assistance in Spain
Simple English Advice is an English-speaking expat agency in Malaga. For more than 15 years, we have helped expats with car ownership transfers, DGT procedures, EU vehicle imports, driving licence exchanges and other Spanish administrative services.
Our bilingual knowledge and local connections allow us to provide clear, reliable assistance to customers throughout Andalusia and the rest of Spain.
We are four-time winners of the SME News Award for Best Expat Relocation Support Service and winners of the 2026 EU Business News Award for Most Dedicated Expat Services Company.
Important information
The Vehicle Buyer Protection Pack is an administrative and records-based assessment. It is not a mechanical inspection, vehicle valuation, legal opinion or guarantee of the vehicle’s condition.
Our recommendation is based on the information available in the official reports at the time they are obtained. A green recommendation means that we have not identified a significant warning in the information reviewed; it does not guarantee that the vehicle is free from every possible defect, debt, dispute or unrecorded issue.
We recommend arranging an independent mechanical inspection before buying any second-hand vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information do you need from me?
We normally need the vehicle’s Spanish registration number, your name and your email address. We may ask for the VIN or additional information if necessary.
You do not need to own the vehicle to request the check.
Is this service available throughout Spain?
Yes. The service is completed remotely for Spanish-registered vehicles, so you can use it whether you live in Malaga, elsewhere in Spain or abroad.
Does the pack include a mechanical inspection?
No. The pack checks official administrative and registry information. It does not assess the engine, gearbox, bodywork, tyres or physical condition of the vehicle.
We strongly recommend arranging a separate mechanical inspection.
What is a reserva de dominio?
A reserva de dominio is an entry commonly connected to vehicle finance. It can give the finance provider rights over the vehicle and may prevent a change of ownership until it has been formally cancelled.
Even if the seller says the finance was repaid, the registered entry may still need to be removed.
Can a vehicle with an embargo be transferred?
The answer depends on the precise entry and circumstances. An embargo, precinto or other restriction must not be ignored.
If one appears, our report will explain the information available and recommend what should happen before you proceed.
What happens if you find a problem?
We explain what has been found, why it may matter and what you should ask the seller to do.
Depending on the issue, we may recommend obtaining evidence, having an entry cancelled, resolving a restriction or not proceeding until professional advice has been obtained.
Does a green result mean the vehicle is guaranteed to be safe?
No. Green means that we have not identified a significant warning in the official information reviewed.
It is not a guarantee of the vehicle’s mechanical condition or protection against information that has not been recorded or made available.
Can you transfer the vehicle if I decide to buy it?
Yes. Once you are satisfied with the vehicle, we can help complete the Spanish car or vehicle ownership transfer. Our transfer service and the applicable taxes and official charges are separate from the €49 Buyer Protection Pack.
Can I order only a DGT report or Nota Simple?
Yes. Individual report services remain available. However, the Vehicle Buyer Protection Pack is recommended if you want both sources reviewed together, a plain-English assessment and a clear recommendation before buying.
Check before you pay
A €49 check could help you avoid buying a vehicle with a recorded restriction or an ownership-transfer problem.
Send us the registration number before paying the seller and receive a clear, independent assessment in English.
Vehicle Buyer Protection Pack: €49