My van's trapped in Spain!

pappajohn said:
Long journey but let the train take the strain.
Surely the French and Spanish train service is still running.
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Interesting, can you get Ducato-sized vans back from Spain by train? Serious question. (y)
 
Eurolines appear to still be operating but for how long and you would have to move quickly
 
mikebeaches said:
Barry, that's extremely helpful information - thanks ever so much!

I'll give them a call tomorrow.

Cheers, Mike
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ON Time brought ours back from Barcelona give them a call they may a low-loader down there with room (worth a try)

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Nanniemate said:
Eurolines appear to still be operating but for how long and you would have to move quickly
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I think I can only find an international bus company with that name? Do you have any more info - thanks!
 
Nanniemate said:
Catch a bus down drive it back..
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Ah, got it - sorry I'd misunderstood. Must say, I hadn't considered that, although as an ageing pensioner not sure I'd be up to the journey both ways, especially with the coronavirus threat being so high now. But appreciate the suggestion.
 
I am thinking now which is always dangerous if there no Spanish MH heading for home from the UK you could get a lift with
Shame about Riverside Annie that could have worked
 
Nanniemate said:
I am thinking now which is always dangerous if there no Spanish MH heading for home from the UK you could get a lift with
Shame about Riverside Annie that could have worked
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Yes, very dangerous... ;) But I like your breadth of vision! (y)
 
I hadn't thought of the issue of the MOT on stranded motorhomes. :unsure:
Hope you get things sorted out soon. (y)

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Thinking laterally?. Know any Yacht owners wanting crew to the Med?.

You should be able to comply with MOT rules IF you can book appointment for on arrival. I seem to remember someone at La-Manga, who had had his R-V out there for over 2 years, saying he had done just that. Drove it off in Portsmouth straight to an MOT, if I recall.
 
Jimbohorlicks said:
No foreign boats allowed to land/Dock either,, Spain, Portugal or France.
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Rubber Boat, Muffled Oars, Dark clothing, Middle of Night?. :rofl: "Welcome to Spain, Mr Bond" ;)

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busby said:
Think its ONTIME Logistics..BUSBY.
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I don't think it is. They look like a straightforward logistics company, but not vehicle transporters?
 
LeggySilverFox said:
My bro lives out there and does a lot of driving to UK. But it’s a lock down. Unless it’s essential you can’t travel. Big fines if stopped without proof of good reason.
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Interesting - thanks. I can understand it is probably very difficult/impossible for a private individual at the moment. As I mentioned in my original post, even the vehicle logistics company in Alicante is waiting to get an 'essential business' certificate to move around - and they're not sure they'll be successful.

Hopefully, the situation won't go on for ever...

If you wanted to pm me his contact details for future reference it could be handy.

Again, many thanks!

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Re the MOT.

I am not writing this playing the retired 'Old Bill' I am not putting myself up as the answer to all things I am writing this as a result of making decisions on a daily basis when in 'The Job' that resulted in people either having to face Court or finding alternatives.

I appreciate that the vehicle cannot be taken to a Test station in the UK because of the embargo on travel as a result of the current situation.
mikebeaches will not be the only owner of a vehicle that is currently in this situation.
He should ensure that the vehicle is insured/taxed prior to the expiry of the MOT and continues to be insured/taxed until a date AFTER the expiry of the MOT.

He should contact Swansea as a matter of urgency and tell them of the situation. He should ask for their advice. He cannot comply with the Law however, in the current situation, he cannot perform the impossible.

A Sovereign state has prevented him from complying ultimately with UK Law. It is not like the thread some time ago when the Police in Spain impounded a UK vehicle when in that country because 'At that time' the vehicle did not have an MOT and the driver was left with the only option of low loading the motorhome back to the UK.
This pandemic will create umpteen (legal term?) anomalies that were never considered in a normal World.

He does not have to tell Swansea regarding his arrangement with the 'Garage' in Spain. He has committed no offence in the UK but has been put in an impossible situation.
 
I think just keeping it taxed and insured might be the only option. I personally wouldn't worry about the MOT and would drive it back via a ferry from Spain... ...others would not....
 
Emmit said:
Re the MOT.

I am not writing this playing the retired 'Old Bill' I am not putting myself up as the answer to all things I am writing this as a result of making decisions on a daily basis when in 'The Job' that resulted in people either having to face Court or finding alternatives.

I appreciate that the vehicle cannot be taken to a Test station in the UK because of the embargo on travel as a result of the current situation.
mikebeaches will not be the only owner of a vehicle that is currently in this situation.
He should ensure that the vehicle is insured/taxed prior to the expiry of the MOT and continues to be insured/taxed until a date AFTER the expiry of the MOT.

He should contact Swansea as a matter of urgency and tell them of the situation. He should ask for their advice. He cannot comply with the Law however, in the current situation, he cannot perform the impossible.

A Sovereign state has prevented him from complying ultimately with UK Law. It is not like the thread some time ago when the Police in Spain impounded a UK vehicle when in that country because 'At that time' the vehicle did not have an MOT and the driver was left with the only option of low loading the motorhome back to the UK.
This pandemic will create umpteen (legal term?) anomalies that were never considered in a normal World.

He does not have to tell Swansea regarding his arrangement with the 'Garage' in Spain. He has committed no offence in the UK but has been put in an impossible situation.
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Thanks Emmit - that was very much the way my thoughts were going.

Reference the road tax, I was thinking of putting the van on SORN for a month or maybe two, then re-taxing it for 12 months well before the MOT expired. Do you think that would cover that particular issue?

Very much appreciate your advice. As you say, I have done everything I can to stay legal, and intend to continue to do so if at all possible.

Having said that, I'm conscious a foreign registered vehicle should only be in Spain (or any other EU country) for maximum of 6 months and that will end on 11 April - so another little issue to consider. But of course the van is not being used and is securely stored indoors and off the road. And if necessary, I would be able to provide precise proof of the days it has been on the road and the days it is been in storage. But given the current emergency, I'm hoping that won't be too much of an issue.
 
mikebeaches said:
I don't think it is. They look like a straightforward logistics company, but not vehicle transporters?
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It is,,I helped one of their drivers load a broken down car on to a transporter in Limoges a couple of years ago.They were running a couple of large car transporters to recover vehicles that could not be repaired abroad for breakdown insurance companies..He dropped lucky as he was staying on the site overnight so my better half cooked him a meal..BUSBY. They do also have a haulage fleet.
 
busby said:
It is,,I helped one of their drivers load a broken down car on to a transporter in Limoges a couple of years ago.They were running a couple of large car transporters to recover vehicles that could not be repaired abroad for breakdown insurance companies..He dropped lucky as he was staying on the site overnight so my better half cooked him a meal..BUSBY. They do also have a haulage fleet.
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Oh great - thanks - very helpful. And apologies I dismissed your original suggestion! (y)

Sounds as though you have got the inside track on the company... Cheers.

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