How to Secure Your Vehicle Purchase in Alpuente: Downloadable Earnest Money Contract (Contrato de Arras)
Buying a car from a private seller in Spain can be a stressful experience, especially when you want to ensure the vehicle is reserved for you while you arrange financing or a mechanic's inspection. In Spain, the legal instrument to guarantee this commitment is known as a Contrato de Arras. This is a deposit agreement where both parties commit to the transaction; if the buyer backs out, they lose the deposit, and if the seller backs out, they must return double the deposit amount. This guide provides you with a bilingual template to use in Alpuente to protect your investment.
Instructions on how and where to use this document in Alpuente
Unlike administrative appeals for traffic fines, a Contrato de Arras is a private document between two parties (the buyer and the seller). It does not need to be submitted to the Alpuente Town Hall or the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) at the moment of signing. You simply need to print two copies, have both parties sign every page, and keep one copy each. However, keep this document safe, as it serves as legal proof of the purchase intent if a dispute arises. Once the final sale is completed, you will proceed to the official transfer of the vehicle (transferencia) at the DGT office or via a gestoría.
CONTRATO DE ARRAS / EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT
En Alpuente, a [Date] de [Month] de [Year] / In Alpuente, on [Date] of [Month] of [Year]
REUNIDOS / THE PARTIES
De una parte, D./Dña. [Seller Name], con DNI/NIE [Number], en adelante "EL VENDEDOR" / On one side, Mr./Ms. [Seller Name], with ID [Number], hereinafter "THE SELLER".
De otra parte, D./Dña. [Buyer Name], con DNI/NIE [Number], en adelante "EL COMPRADOR" / On the other side, Mr./Ms. [Buyer Name], with ID [Number], hereinafter "THE BUYER".
OBJETO / OBJECT
El VENDEDOR se compromete a vender al COMPRADOR el vehículo marca [Brand], modelo [Model], con matrícula [License Plate] / THE SELLER agrees to sell to THE BUYER the vehicle brand [Brand], model [Model], with license plate [License Plate].
PRECIO Y ARRAS / PRICE AND DEPOSIT
El precio total de venta es de [Total Price] €. El COMPRADOR entrega en este acto la cantidad de [Deposit Amount] € en concepto de arras / The total sale price is [Total Price] €. THE BUYER delivers at this moment the amount of [Deposit Amount] € as a deposit.
CONDICIONES / CONDITIONS
La compraventa se formalizará antes del día [Deadline Date]. Si el COMPRADOR desiste, perderá las arras. Si el VENDEDOR desiste, devolverá el doble de las arras recibidas / The sale will be formalized before [Deadline Date]. If THE BUYER withdraws, they shall forfeit the deposit. If THE SELLER withdraws, they shall return double the amount received.
Firmas / Signatures:
Fdo. El Vendedor / Signed The Seller: __________ Fdo. El Comprador / Signed The Buyer: __________
Additional documentation required
While the Contrato de Arras secures the deal, you will need the following documents to finalize the transfer of the vehicle later:
- The original Permiso de Circulación (Vehicle Registration) of the car.
- The Ficha Técnica (Technical Inspection Card) showing valid ITV (Spanish MOT).
- Proof of payment of the "Impuesto de Circulación" (IVTM) for the previous year.
- A copy of the seller’s DNI/NIE.
- The signed "Contrato de Compraventa" (Final Purchase Contract).
Expert Tip: Before signing the Contrato de Arras, always request an "Informe de Vehículo" from the DGT website. For a small fee, this report will tell you if the car has any outstanding fines, embargoes, or administrative restrictions that would prevent you from registering it in your name. Never hand over money without verifying the vehicle's legal status first.