How to Secure Your Vehicle Purchase in Arquillos: Download Your Bilingual 'Contrato de Arras' Template

Buying a car from a private seller in Spain can be a daunting process, especially when it comes to ensuring the deal is legally binding. A Contrato de Arras (Earnest Money Contract) is the standard legal document used to reserve a vehicle. By signing this, the buyer commits to purchasing the car and the seller commits to holding it, usually upon payment of a deposit. If the buyer backs out, they lose the deposit; if the seller backs out, they must typically return double the amount. This template provides a clear, bilingual framework to protect your interests in Arquillos.

Instructions on how and where to use this document in Arquillos

Since this is a private contract between two individuals, you do not need to submit it to the Arquillos Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) or a government office. Instead, you must:

• Print two copies of the document below (one for the buyer, one for the seller).
• Fill in all the blanks clearly using blue or black ink.
• Ensure both parties sign every page of the document.
• Keep the document safe, as it serves as your primary evidence of the agreement before the final transfer of ownership (transferencia) at the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico).

CONTRATO DE ARRAS / EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT

En Arquillos, a [Día] de [Mes] de 20[Año] / In Arquillos, on [Day] of [Month], 20[Year]

REUNIDOS / PARTIES:
Vendedor / Seller: [Nombre y apellidos], con DNI/NIE [Número] y domicilio en [Dirección].
Comprador / Buyer: [Nombre y apellidos], con DNI/NIE [Número] y domicilio en [Dirección].

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/Model) with license plate [Plate] and VIN [VIN].

PRECIO Y ARRAS / PRICE AND EARNEST MONEY:
El precio total acordado es de [Cantidad] €. El Comprador entrega en este acto la cantidad de [Cantidad] € en concepto de arras.
The total agreed price is [Amount] €. The Buyer pays today the amount of [Amount] € as earnest money.

CONDICIONES / CONDITIONS:
Si el Comprador desiste, perderá las arras. Si el Vendedor desiste, deberá devolver el doble de las arras recibidas.
If the Buyer withdraws, they lose the deposit. If the Seller withdraws, they must return double the amount received.

FIRMAS / SIGNATURES:

Fdo. El Vendedor / Signed Seller: ____________________

Fdo. El Comprador / Signed Buyer: ____________________

Additional documentation required

While the Contrato de Arras secures the reservation, you will need the following documents to finalize the ownership transfer later at the DGT:

• Original and copy of the vehicle's Technical Sheet (Ficha Técnica).
• The vehicle's Registration Certificate (Permiso de Circulación).
• Proof of payment of the local road tax (Impuesto de Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica) for the current year.
• A copy of the seller's DNI or NIE.
• A formal Bill of Sale (Contrato de Compraventa) once the full payment is made.

Expert Tip: Before handing over any money in Arquillos, always check the vehicle's "Informe de Vehículo" via the DGT website. This official report costs a small fee but will tell you if the car has any outstanding liens, seizures, or unpaid fines (embargos) that could prevent you from registering the car in your name. Never finalize the purchase without verifying that the car is "free of charges."