Is it legal to drive car to IPO test?

analogman · Post by **analogman** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 8:58 am

Does anyone know the true legal situation here. I have a portuguese registered car that has been sitting in the garage for 3 years and the IPO has run out. I have brought her back to life and what to get her tested at the Porsches IPO test center. In the UK it is legal to drive without an MOT certificate if you are taking it to get an MOT done. Is this the same in Portugal? I am especially concerned as there are such frequent police roadside paperwork checks. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Homme Poco · Post by **Homme Poco** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 11:32 am

Don't know the legalities,but you don't see many cars taken there on lowloaders and presumably some of their tickets have expired.
I'd take a chance if the car looks OK.

Bruxinha · Post by **Bruxinha** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:04 pm

I don't know the "legal" answer to your question either, but I was told by someone here that only the OWNER can drive it to the test centre without any passengers in the car when the car has failed. What I am not sure about is whether that is when you have the red "V" failure disk or whether that is when you have no valid "V" disk at all?

Maybe it is best to go to your local GNR station to ask them, although even there you may well get several different answers based on who you speak to. You could write a declaration in Portuguese and sign it and date it on the day you are going to go saying that you are on your way to the IPO centre.

By the way, not sure of anyone else's experiences but I found Porches IPO centre a nightmare. Word on the street is that Portimão is the best place to go for a more flexible approach.

Homme Poco · Post by **Homme Poco** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:13 pm

The people at Portimao are very "nice" and they'er always very busy!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 8:13 pm

I took in a new car in ( Imported from Spain) and the Engine number is not on the Engine but in the computer...they made me take all engine and gearbox blanks off and the radiator half to pieces......and then told me ..this car probably doesnt have a number ..but I have to go to the main agent ..pay 150 € to get them to write a letter confirming the number........What if I had been Mrs average with no idea whatsoever how to dismantle engine covers....by the way they put it on the ramp and I had to go under and do it..not the inspector..In UK this in itself is illegal..Portugal........!!???? Very silly...

Guest. · Post by **Guest.** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:38 pm

When you buy a new car in any EC country the seller has to provide, if you ask, a "Certificate of Conformity" that is valid in any EC country. this avoids going to a Portuguese dealer. My documents were in English from a UK dealer and accepted without question

Homme Poco · Post by **Homme Poco** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 7:20 pm

Yes,you only have to ring,Toyota in my case,arrived in about a week,not too bad as each one is unique to each particular car.
HP

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 8:43 pm

In my case BMW......It took five Months ,,..seven calls to Germany and I tried UK....( No Interest) . The Spanish ( Where I bought the car ) BMW didnt want to know.......BMW in Portugal eventually did provide this...al in all it took tem months to complete the paperwork....and cost over €1100......

analogman · Post by **analogman** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 1:49 pm

Thanks for the various comments. Can anyone tell me where the Portimao IPO is? I was told there is a better one on the road to Lagos about 6km, is that the one and if so is it on the N125? Thanks.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 7:27 am

Yes...its past lagos.....was brand new and rather empty..very nice....
I dont know the road name.but anyway go past Lagos on the one main road there is heading towards Sagres.....I think(The place) its called something like 'Rap' because I recall thinking of Rap music.anyway it is about 20 minutes past lagos on thet road on the right...signposted as you get near IPO

Homme Poco · Post by **Homme Poco** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:27 am

P.S Toyota certificate NO COST!!!!

Guest. · Post by **Guest.** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:59 pm

As to the original Q. Book your time with the IPO rather than turning up and joining the queue. You can then prove the purpose of your journey to Plod

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 9:07 pm

Just do it......I have been driving ( UK Reg ) cars here for years and years without MOT.......anyway I have been stopped three times.......I give them my license in a folder and put €50 in the packet......always done the trick.....they always tell me off ..and take the money and let me go......Its just easier than driving back to Uk.......If they ever stop taking my Bribe...I'll just have to go legal I suppose...but not much chance of that.......a friend of mine says I overpay and he only pays €20......but ..what the hell.....