Buying or Selling a Car in Puerto del Carmen: Download Your Official Sales Contract Template

Buying or selling a used vehicle between private individuals in Spain can be a daunting process, especially when navigating the local bureaucracy in Lanzarote. To ensure your transaction is legally binding and protects both the buyer and the seller, you must use a formal "Contrato de Compraventa" (Sales Contract). This document serves as the official proof of transfer of ownership, outlining the vehicle's condition, the agreed-upon price, and the transfer of responsibility from the seller to the buyer.

Instructions on how and where to submit it in Puerto del Carmen

Once you have signed the contract, the process does not end there. You must formally notify the authorities to finalize the transfer of the vehicle (transferencia de vehículo).

• Step 1: Prepare the documentation listed below.
• Step 2: Book an appointment at the nearest DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) office. While there are local Gestorías in Puerto del Carmen that can handle this for a fee, the official government office is located in Arrecife.
• Step 3: Pay the "Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales" (ITP) at the local tax office (Agencia Tributaria Canaria) in Lanzarote. This tax is based on the vehicle's age and power.
• Step 4: Present the signed contract and proof of tax payment to the DGT to update the "Permiso de Circulación."

CONTRATO DE COMPRAVENTA DE VEHÍCULO / VEHICLE SALES CONTRACT

REUNIDOS / THE PARTIES:
Vendedor (Seller): [Name], con DNI/NIE [Number], y domicilio en [Address].
Comprador (Buyer): [Name], con DNI/NIE [Number], y domicilio en [Address].

OBJETO / THE VEHICLE:
Marca/Model: [Brand/Model] | Matrícula (Plate): [Plate Number] | Bastidor (VIN): [VIN Number]

ACUERDOS / TERMS:
1. El vendedor transfiere la propiedad del vehículo al comprador por la cantidad de [Price] euros. (The seller transfers the ownership of the vehicle to the buyer for the amount of [Price] euros.)
2. El comprador declara conocer el estado actual del vehículo. (The buyer declares to be aware of the current state of the vehicle.)
3. El vendedor entrega el vehículo libre de cargas y gravámenes. (The seller delivers the vehicle free of liens and charges.)

En Puerto del Carmen, a [Date].

Firma Vendedor / Seller Signature: ____________________
Firma Comprador / Buyer Signature: ____________________

Additional documentation required

To ensure the transfer is processed without delays at the traffic office, you must attach the following to your contract:

• Original DNI/NIE: Both the buyer and the seller must provide valid identification.
• Vehicle Documentation: The original "Permiso de Circulación" and the "Tarjeta de Inspección Técnica" (ITV card).
• ITV Report: Ensure the vehicle has a valid ITV (technical inspection) certificate.
• Proof of Tax Payment: Receipt of the paid "Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales" (Model 620).
• Receipt of Road Tax: Proof that the "Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica" (IVTM) for the previous year has been paid to the Tías town hall.

Expert Tip: Always perform a "Informe de Vehículo" through the DGT website before handing over any money. This will cost a small fee but will reveal if the car has any outstanding fines, embargoes, or legal issues that could prevent the transfer. If you are not confident with the Spanish administrative process, I highly recommend hiring a local "Gestoría" in Puerto del Carmen; they act as authorized intermediaries and will ensure all paperwork is filed correctly, saving you multiple trips to the provincial capital.