Downloadable Purchase Deposit Agreement (Contrato de Arras) for Buying a Car in La Alberca de Záncara
When purchasing a vehicle between private individuals in Spain, securing the deal is essential to prevent the seller from offering the car to someone else. A Contrato de Arras (Deposit Agreement) is a private contract where the buyer pays a small portion of the total price upfront as a guarantee. If the buyer backs out, they lose the deposit; if the seller backs out, they must return double the amount received. This document provides legal certainty for your transaction in La Alberca de Záncara.
Instructions on how to use and formalize this agreement in La Alberca de Záncara
Since this is a private contract, it does not need to be submitted to the Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) of La Alberca de Záncara or a public notary to be valid between the parties. However, you should follow these steps:
- Print two copies of the document (one for the buyer, one for the seller).
- Both parties must sign every page of the document to prevent subsequent alterations.
- Attach a photocopy of the DNI/NIE of both the buyer and the seller.
- Ensure the vehicle's license plate (matrícula) and VIN (bastidor) are correctly transcribed from the vehicle's "Permiso de Circulación."
- Keep the original document until the final transfer of the vehicle is completed at the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico).
CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES / PENITENTIAL DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
REUNIDOS / THE PARTIES
De una parte, D./Dña. [Nombre del Vendedor], con DNI/NIE [Número], en adelante "EL VENDEDOR".
(On one side, Mr./Ms. [Seller Name], holder of ID [Number], hereinafter "THE SELLER".)
De otra parte, D./Dña. [Nombre del Comprador], con DNI/NIE [Número], en adelante "EL COMPRADOR".
(On the other side, Mr./Ms. [Buyer Name], holder of ID [Number], hereinafter "THE BUYER".)
OBJETO / OBJECT
El VENDEDOR se compromete a vender al COMPRADOR el vehículo marca [Marca], modelo [Modelo], con matrícula [Matrícula] y número de bastidor [Bastidor].
(The SELLER agrees to sell to the BUYER the vehicle make [Make], model [Model], license plate [Plate] and VIN [VIN].)
PRECIO Y ARRAS / PRICE AND DEPOSIT
El precio total de venta es de [Cantidad] €. En este acto, el COMPRADOR entrega al VENDEDOR la cantidad de [Cantidad del depósito] € en concepto de arras.
(The total sale price is [Amount] €. In this act, the BUYER delivers to the SELLER the amount of [Deposit Amount] € as a deposit.)
CONDICIONES / CONDITIONS
Si el COMPRADOR desiste, perderá las arras entregadas. Si el VENDEDOR desiste, deberá devolver al COMPRADOR el doble de las arras recibidas (Art. 1454 Código Civil).
(If the BUYER withdraws, they shall lose the deposit. If the SELLER withdraws, they must return double the amount received to the BUYER (Art. 1454 Civil Code).)
Fecha y firma / Date and signature:
En La Alberca de Záncara, a [Día] de [Mes] de [Año].
Firma Vendedor / Seller Signature: ____________________
Firma Comprador / Buyer Signature: ____________________
Additional documentation required
To finalize the purchase after signing the Contrato de Arras, you will need to gather the following documents for the official transfer at the DGT:
- The original "Permiso de Circulación" of the vehicle.
- The "Ficha Técnica" (Technical Specifications Sheet) of the vehicle.
- Proof of payment of the "Impuesto de Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica" (IVTM) for the previous year.
- The "Contrato de Compraventa" (Final Bill of Sale), which is different from the deposit agreement.
- Proof of payment of the ITP (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales) at the regional tax office (Modelo 620).
Expert Tip: Always check the "Informe de Vehículo" from the DGT website before paying the deposit. It costs a small fee but will tell you if the car has any "cargas" (liens, embargoes, or unpaid fines) that could prevent you from transferring the car into your name. Even in a small town like La Alberca de Záncara, performing this check is the best way to protect your investment.