Download the Car Purchase Deposit Contract Template for Cabeza La Vaca (Word/PDF)

Buying a used car from a private seller in Spain can sometimes be stressful, especially when it comes to securing the vehicle before the final paperwork is completed. Whether you are buying a car in the tranquil municipality of Cabeza La Vaca or anywhere else in the province of Badajoz, securing the deal with a proper deposit contract is essential. A Contrato de Arras (Earnest Money Contract) is a binding legal agreement where the buyer pays a small percentage of the total vehicle price in advance to reserve it, while the seller takes the car off the market. This practical guide explains how to use this document legally in Spain, providing you with a bilingual template designed to protect both parties.

Instructions on how and where to use this agreement in Cabeza La Vaca

Unlike official tax forms or municipal fines, a Contrato de Arras is a private agreement between two individuals (or a business and an individual). Therefore, you do not need to submit it to the Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) of Cabeza La Vaca or any regional Extremadura government office to make it valid. However, execution requires precision:

• Where to sign: It can be signed anywhere, preferably in person upon inspecting the vehicle and verifying its documents.
• Copies needed: Print two identical copies so that both the buyer and the seller retain a signed original.
• Payment of the deposit: It is strongly recommended to make the deposit payment via bank transfer (transferencia bancaria) or Bizum to have a clear digital paper trail. Avoid large cash payments, which are restricted under Spanish anti-fraud laws.
• Next steps in Cabeza La Vaca: Once the final balance is paid and the official Bill of Sale (Contrato de Compraventa) is executed, the transfer of ownership (cambio de titularidad) must be processed through the DGT (Directorate-General for Traffic), either online or via a local gestoría in the Badajoz province.

CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIARÍAS / EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT

En Cabeza La Vaca (Badajoz), a [Día] de [Mes] de [Año].
In Cabeza La Vaca (Badajoz), on [Day] of [Month] of [Year].

REUNIDOS / PARTIES

De una parte, D./Dña. [Nombre del Vendedor], con DNI [Número de DNI] y domicilio en [Dirección], en adelante el VENDERDOR.
On the one hand, Mr./Ms. [Seller's Name], with ID [ID Number] and address at [Address], hereinafter the SELLER.

De otra parte, D./Dña. [Nombre del Comprador], con DNI [Número de DNI] y domicilio en [Dirección], en adelante el COMPRADOR.
On the other hand, Mr./Ms. [Buyer's Name], with ID [ID Number] and address at [Address], hereinafter the BUYER.

Ambas partes se reconocen la capacidad legal necesaria para otorgar el presente contrato y, a tal fin,
Both parties mutually acknowledge the legal capacity to enter into this contract and, to that end,

MANIFIESTAN / DECLARE

1. Que el VENDEDOR es propietario del vehículo cuyos datos se detallan a continuación:
1. That the SELLER is the owner of the vehicle detailed below:
- Marca / Make: [Marca]
- Modelo / Model: [Modelo]
- Matrícula / License Plate: [Matrícula]
- Bastidor / VIN: [Número de Bastidor]

2. Que el COMPRADOR está interesado en la adquisición del referido vehículo y, para ello, acuerdan constituir un contrato de arras penitenciales conforme al artículo 1454 del Código Civil.
2. That the BUYER is interested in purchasing the aforementioned vehicle and, therefore, agree to establish an earnest money contract in accordance with Article 1454 of the Civil Code.

ESTIPULACIONES / STIPULATIONS

PRIMERA (Precio): El precio total pactado para la compraventa del vehículo es de [Importe Total en Letra] euros ([Importe Total en Número] €), impuestos incluidos.
FIRST (Price): The total agreed price for the sale of the vehicle is [Total Amount in Words] euros ([Total Amount in Numbers] €), taxes included.

SEGUNDA (Arras): En este acto, el COMPRADOR entrega en concepto de señal o arras la cantidad de [Importe de la Seña en Letra] euros ([Importe de la Seña en Número] €) mediante [Método de Pago: efectivo/transferencia], cantidad que será descontada del precio final del vehículo.
SECOND (Deposit): In this act, the BUYER delivers as a deposit the amount of [Deposit Amount in Words] euros ([Deposit Amount in Numbers] €) via [Payment Method: cash/transfer], which will be deducted from the final price of the vehicle.

TERCERA (Plazo): La firma del contrato definitivo de compraventa y el pago del importe restante se realizarán como máximo el día [Fecha Límite].
THIRD (Deadline): The signing of the final bill of sale and the payment of the remaining amount shall take place no later than [Deadline Date].

CUARTA (Incumplimiento): Si el COMPRADOR desistiera de la compra, perderá la cantidad entregada. Si el VENDEDOR decidiera no vender el vehículo, estará obligado a devolver al COMPRADOR el doble de la cantidad recibida.
FOURTH (Breach): If the BUYER desists from the purchase, they will lose the amount delivered. If the SELLER decides not to sell the vehicle, they shall be obliged to return to the BUYER double the amount received.

Y en prueba de conformidad, firman las partes por duplicado y a un solo efecto en el lugar y fecha arriba indicados.
And in witness whereof, the parties sign in duplicate for a single effect at the place and date indicated above.

EL VENDEDOR / THE SELLER          EL COMPRADOR / THE BUYER
Fdo: _______________________          Fdo: _______________________

Additional documentation required

To ensure a smooth transaction in Cabeza La Vaca, the deposit contract must be accompanied by proper vehicle verification documents. Before handing over any money, always ask the seller for:

• Informe Reducido o Detallado de la DGT: A vehicle report from the Spanish Traffic Directorate showing if the car has any pending fines, charges, or executive attachments (cargas o embargos).
• Permiso de Circulación y Ficha Técnica: Ensure the documents match the physical vehicle and that the ITV (Technical Vehicle Inspection) is completely up to date.
• Último recibo del IVTM: Proof that the local circulation tax (Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica) corresponding to the municipality of Cabeza La Vaca or the seller's previous locality has been paid for the current year.
• Photocopy of the Seller's DNI/NIE: Crucial for drafting the final bill of sale and completing the official ownership transfer paperwork.

Expert tip: Never transfer large sums of money for a used car without checking the vehicle's technical status first. Using this bilingual Contrato de Arras provides both Spanish and foreign nationals residing in Extremadura with total legal transparency, preventing last-minute misunderstandings and securing your vehicle purchase safely.