How to Secure a Car Purchase in Brozas: Downloadable Deposit Agreement (Contrato de Arras)
Buying a second-hand vehicle in Spain can be a stressful experience, especially when dealing with private sellers. To ensure the car is held for you and to prevent the seller from pulling out or selling it to someone else, you need a Contrato de Arras. This is a private deposit agreement where you pay a small amount of money upfront to "reserve" the vehicle. If the seller backs out, they are legally obligated to return double the deposit amount to you. This template provides a bilingual framework to protect your interests during a vehicle transaction in Brozas.
Instructions on how and where to use this document in Brozas
Since the Contrato de Arras is a private contract between two individuals, you do not need to submit this to the Brozas Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) or the DGT (Traffic Department) immediately. Instead, follow these steps:
- Print two copies of the bilingual template provided below.
- Both the buyer and the seller must sign every page of both copies.
- Ensure the seller provides a copy of their DNI (National ID) or NIE.
- Keep one signed copy for your records; the seller keeps the other.
- Once the final sale is completed, you will proceed to the official "Transferencia de Vehículo" at the DGT office or through a gestoría.
CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES / EARNEST MONEY AGREEMENT
En Brozas, a [Date] de [Month] de [Year] / In Brozas, on [Date] of [Month] of [Year]
REUNIDOS / PARTIES:
D./Dña. [Seller Name], con DNI/NIE [Number], en adelante "EL VENDEDOR" / hereinafter "THE SELLER".
D./Dña. [Buyer Name], con DNI/NIE [Number], en adelante "EL COMPRADOR" / hereinafter "THE BUYER".
EXPONEN / DECLARE:
Que EL VENDEDOR es propietario del vehículo [Make/Model], con matrícula [License Plate] y número de bastidor [VIN], en adelante "EL VEHÍCULO" / THE SELLER is the owner of the vehicle [Make/Model], with license plate [License Plate] and VIN [VIN], hereinafter "THE VEHICLE".
CLÁUSULAS / CLAUSES:
1. EL COMPRADOR entrega en este acto la cantidad de [Amount in Euros] € en concepto de arras para la reserva del vehículo / THE BUYER hereby delivers the amount of [Amount in Euros] € as earnest money for the reservation of the vehicle.
2. El precio total de venta se acuerda en [Total Price] €, de los cuales se restará la cantidad entregada hoy / The total sale price is agreed at [Total Price] €, from which the amount delivered today shall be deducted.
3. La formalización del contrato de compraventa se realizará antes del día [Deadline Date] / The formalization of the purchase contract shall take place before [Deadline Date].
4. Si EL VENDEDOR desiste de la venta, deberá devolver al COMPRADOR el doble de la cantidad recibida (Art. 1454 Código Civil) / If THE SELLER withdraws from the sale, they must return double the amount received to THE BUYER (Art. 1454 Spanish Civil Code).
Firmado / Signed:
EL VENDEDOR: ____________________ EL COMPRADOR: ____________________
Additional documentation required
After signing the Contrato de Arras, you must ensure that the final transfer of the vehicle includes the following:
- The original Permiso de Circulación (Vehicle Registration Certificate).
- The Ficha Técnica (Technical Inspection Card) showing the valid ITV status.
- Proof of payment of the IVTM (local vehicle tax) for the previous year.
- A copy of the seller’s DNI/NIE.
- The Contrato de Compraventa (Final Bill of Sale), which is different from the deposit agreement.
Expert Tip: Always perform a "Informe de Vehículo" from the DGT website before paying the deposit. This document will cost a few euros and will tell you if the car has any "cargas" (liens, unpaid fines, or seizures) that could prevent you from registering it in your name. Never hand over cash without a signed receipt or the Contrato de Arras mentioned above.