How to Draft a Private Vehicle Sales Contract in Vitoria-Gasteiz: Downloadable Bilingual Template
Buying or selling a used car in Spain can be a daunting bureaucratic process for expats and locals alike. A Contrato de Compraventa de Vehículo entre Particulares (Private Vehicle Sales Contract) is the essential legal document that binds the buyer and seller, protecting both parties against hidden defects and future liabilities. This template serves as the formal agreement to transfer ownership of a vehicle between two private individuals without the intervention of a dealership.
Instructions on how and where to submit it in Vitoria-Gasteiz
Once the contract is signed by both parties, the process in Vitoria-Gasteiz involves three main steps:
- Tax Payment: You must pay the Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales (ITP) via the Basque Country Treasury (Hacienda Foral de Álava). In Vitoria-Gasteiz, this is often done through the website of the Diputación Foral de Álava using Form 620.
- DGT Appointment: You must request an appointment at the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico in Vitoria-Gasteiz to complete the "Cambio de Titularidad" (Change of Ownership).
- Documentation: Submit the signed contract, the proof of tax payment, and the vehicle's original registration documents (Permiso de Circulación).
CONTRATO DE COMPRAVENTA DE VEHÍCULO / VEHICLE SALES CONTRACT
En Vitoria-Gasteiz, a [Date] / In Vitoria-Gasteiz, on [Date]
REUNIDOS / THE PARTIES
VENDEDOR (SELLER): [Full Name], con DNI/NIE [ID Number], con domicilio en [Address].
COMPRADOR (BUYER): [Full Name], con DNI/NIE [ID Number], con domicilio en [Address].
DESCRIPCIÓN DEL VEHÍCULO / VEHICLE DESCRIPTION
Marca/Make: [Brand] | Modelo/Model: [Model] | Matrícula/Plate: [Plate Number] | Bastidor/VIN: [VIN Number]
CLÁUSULAS / TERMS
1. El VENDEDOR vende al COMPRADOR el vehículo arriba descrito por el precio de [Price in Euros] €. / The SELLER sells to the BUYER the vehicle described above for the price of [Price in Euros] €.
2. El COMPRADOR declara conocer el estado del vehículo y lo acepta. / The BUYER declares to know the condition of the vehicle and accepts it.
3. El VENDEDOR declara que el vehículo está libre de cargas y gravámenes. / The SELLER declares that the vehicle is free of any charges or liens.
Firma del Vendedor / Seller Signature: ____________________
Firma del Comprador / Buyer Signature: ____________________
Additional documentation required
To ensure a smooth transition at the Traffic Office in Vitoria, make sure you have the following ready:
- Original and photocopy of the DNI/NIE of both the buyer and seller.
- The original Permiso de Circulación (Vehicle Registration Certificate).
- The ITV (Technical Inspection) card, ensuring it is valid and up to date.
- Proof of payment of the municipal road tax (Impuesto de Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica) for the previous year.
Expert Tip: Always double-check the "Informe de Vehículo" at the DGT website before signing the contract. This report costs a small fee but will tell you if the car has any pending fines, embargoes, or technical issues that could prevent you from registering it in your name. If you are the seller, never hand over the keys until you have a signed copy of the contract and the buyer has confirmed the change of ownership process has started.