Secure Your Vehicle Purchase in La Bañeza: Download Our Bilingual "Contrato de Arras" Template

Buying a used car from a private seller in Spain can be a daunting process. To ensure your interests are protected and to prevent the seller from selling the vehicle to someone else while you arrange financing or inspections, you need a "Contrato de Arras." This is a private earnest money agreement where you pay a small deposit to reserve the vehicle. If the seller backs out, they must legally return double the deposit; if you back out, you forfeit the deposit. This document provides peace of mind for buyers in La Bañeza and beyond.

How and Where to Use This Document in La Bañeza

This document is a private contract between the buyer and the seller. You do not need to submit this to the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) or the local La Bañeza Town Hall. Instead, follow these steps:

• Meeting: Arrange to meet the seller in person to inspect the car.
• Signing: Both parties must sign two copies of this document (one for each).
• Payment: Hand over the deposit only after signing the document and verifying the seller's ID (DNI or NIE).
• Next Steps: Once the final payment is made, proceed to the "Traspaso" (Change of Ownership) at the DGT office or through a professional agency (Gestoría) in La Bañeza.

CONTRATO DE ARRAS / EARNEST MONEY AGREEMENT

En La Bañeza, a [Date] de [Month] de 202X.

REUNIDOS / THE PARTIES:
D./Dña. [Seller Name], con DNI/NIE [Seller ID], en adelante "EL VENDEDOR" / "THE SELLER".
D./Dña. [Buyer Name], con DNI/NIE [Buyer ID], en adelante "EL COMPRADOR" / "THE BUYER".

OBJETO / OBJECT:
El VENDEDOR se compromete a vender al COMPRADOR el vehículo marca [Brand], modelo [Model], matrícula [License Plate] / THE SELLER agrees to sell to THE BUYER the vehicle, make [Brand], model [Model], license plate [License Plate].

PRECIO Y ARRAS / PRICE AND DEPOSIT:
El precio total es de [Total Price] €. El COMPRADOR entrega en este acto la cantidad de [Deposit Amount] € en concepto de arras / The total price is [Total Price] €. THE BUYER delivers the amount of [Deposit Amount] € as an earnest money deposit.

CLÁUSULAS / CLAUSES:
1. El vehículo se entregará libre de cargas y gravámenes / The vehicle shall be delivered free of any liens or encumbrances.
2. La compraventa se formalizará antes del día [Deadline Date] / The sale shall be finalized before [Deadline Date].
3. Si el VENDEDOR desiste, deberá devolver el doble de las arras recibidas. Si el COMPRADOR desiste, perderá la cantidad entregada / If THE SELLER withdraws, they must return double the deposit. If THE BUYER withdraws, they shall forfeit the deposit.

Firmas / Signatures:
Fdo: [Vendedor/Seller] ____________________ Fdo: [Comprador/Buyer] ____________________

Additional Documentation Required

While the contract protects the reservation, you will need the following documents to finalize the transfer of the vehicle at the DGT:

• Original DNI or NIE of both parties.
• The "Permiso de Circulación" (Vehicle Registration Document).
• The "ITV" (Technical Inspection) card, ensuring it is up to date.
• Proof of payment of the "Impuesto de Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica" (IVTM) for the previous year, which is paid at the La Bañeza Town Hall.
• The "Contrato de Compraventa" (Formal Bill of Sale) which is separate from this reservation contract.

Expert Tip: Always check the vehicle's history report ("Informe de Vehículo") from the DGT website before signing anything. It costs a small fee but will tell you if the car has any pending fines, embargoes, or administrative issues that could prevent you from registering it in your name. Never pay the full amount until you have verified the vehicle is "clean" in the DGT system.