How to Secure Your Vehicle Purchase in Besalú: Free Deposit Contract Template (Word/PDF)
Buying a used car in Spain can be a stressful experience, especially when you want to ensure the seller doesn't sell the vehicle to someone else while you arrange financing or inspections. In Spain, the most effective tool to secure a deal is the Contrato de Arras (Deposit Contract). This is a private agreement where you pay a small deposit to the seller, committing both parties to the transaction. If the seller backs out, they must return double the deposit; if you back out, you lose the deposit. This document provides the legal certainty you need when purchasing a vehicle in a town like Besalú.
Instructions on how and where to submit it in Besalú
Because this is a private contract between two individuals, it does not need to be submitted to the Besalú Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) or the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) at the moment of signing. You simply need to print two copies, have both the buyer and the seller sign every page, and keep one copy each. However, once the final sale is completed, you must proceed with the official change of ownership (transferencia) at the DGT provincial office in Girona or via a gestoría.
CONTRATO DE ARRAS PARA LA COMPRAVENTA DE VEHÍCULO / VEHICLE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
En Besalú, a [Date] de [Month] de [Year] / In Besalú, on [Date] of [Month] of [Year]
REUNIDOS / PARTIES:
De una parte, el Vendedor: [Seller Name], con DNI/NIE: [Seller ID], y domicilio en: [Seller Address]. / On one side, the Seller: [Seller Name], with ID: [Seller ID], and address: [Seller Address].
De otra parte, el Comprador: [Buyer Name], con DNI/NIE: [Buyer ID], y domicilio en: [Buyer Address]. / On the other side, the Buyer: [Buyer Name], with ID: [Buyer ID], and address: [Buyer Address].
OBJETO / SUBJECT:
El Vendedor se compromete a vender el vehículo marca [Brand], modelo [Model], matrícula [License Plate] al Comprador por el precio total de [Total Price] euros. / The Seller agrees to sell the vehicle [Brand], model [Model], license plate [License Plate] to the Buyer for the total price of [Total Price] euros.
ARRAS / DEPOSIT:
El Comprador entrega en este acto la cantidad de [Deposit Amount] euros en concepto de arras. / The Buyer delivers the amount of [Deposit Amount] euros as a deposit.
CONDICIONES / CONDITIONS:
Si el Vendedor desiste, deberá devolver el doble de lo recibido. Si el Comprador desiste, perderá la cantidad entregada. La compraventa final se formalizará antes del día [Deadline Date]. / If the Seller withdraws, they must return double the amount received. If the Buyer withdraws, they will lose the deposit. The final sale shall be formalized before [Deadline Date].
Firmas / Signatures:
Vendedor / Seller: ____________________ Comprador / Buyer: ____________________
Additional documentation required
While the contract covers the agreement, you must verify the vehicle's legal status before signing. Ensure you have the following:
- Informe del Vehículo: Request a "Informe Reducido" or "Informe Detallado" from the DGT website to ensure the car has no outstanding fines (embargos) or liens (cargas).
- ITV Card: Verify the vehicle has a valid "Inspección Técnica de Vehículos" (ITV).
- Proof of Payment: Always keep a record of the deposit payment (bank transfer receipt is preferred over cash).
- ID Copies: Attach a photocopy of both the buyer's and seller's DNI or NIE to the contract for identification purposes.
Expert Tip: Even if you are buying from a private seller in Besalú, I strongly recommend visiting a local gestoría to handle the final paperwork. They will ensure the "Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales" (ITP) is paid correctly to the Generalitat de Catalunya, which is a mandatory tax for used car transfers. Never hand over the full payment until you have confirmed the car is free of debt through the DGT records.