Download Car Deposit Sales Agreement Template (Arras) in Cañaveras (Word/PDF)

Buying or selling a second-hand car privately in Spain involves navigating specific legal instruments to ensure peace of mind for both parties. One of the most effective tools is the Contrato de Arras (Earnest Money Contract). This is a private agreement where the buyer pays a small financial deposit to reserve the vehicle and take it off the market, committing both parties to finalize the purchase within a set deadline. If the buyer backs out, they lose the deposit; if the seller backs out, they typically must return twice the amount. This guide provides a practical, bilingual template tailored for transactions in Cañaveras.

Instructions on how and where to use and sign it in Cañaveras

Because a Contrato de Arras is a private civil contract between individuals rather than an official tax form, it does not need to be submitted to the Town Hall of Cañaveras or any regional government office to be valid. However, executing it correctly requires a few practical steps:

• Print two copies: Both the buyer and the seller must sign and date two identical physical copies so each party retains an original signed document.
• Verification: Before signing in Cañaveras, meet in a safe, well-lit public space, verify the vehicle's physical condition, and check the documentation (Permiso de Circulación and Ficha Técnica).
• Payment Method: Transfer the deposit via bank transfer or pay in cash (keeping within Spain's legal cash limit of 1,000 € if both are residents, though bank transfers provide the best paper trail for earnest money).
• Execution: Once the final purchase contract is signed and the ownership transfer (cambio de titularidad) is processed at the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico), the arras agreement is fully fulfilled.

CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES / EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT

En Cañaveras (Cuenca), a [Día] de [Mes] de [Año].

REUNIDOS / THE PARTIES

DE UNA PARTE, D./Dña. [Nombre Vendedor], mayor de edad, con DNI [Número DNI], y domicilio a efectos de notificación en [Dirección en Cañaveras u otro], en adelante el VENDEDOR.
FROM ONE PART, Mr./Ms. [Seller Name], of legal age, with ID [ID Number], and address at [Address], hereinafter the SELLER.

DE OTRA PARTE, D./Dña. [Nombre Comprador], mayor de edad, con DNI [Número DNI], y domicilio a efectos de notificación en [Dirección], en adelante el COMPRADOR.
FROM THE OTHER PART, Mr./Ms. [Buyer Name], of legal age, with ID [ID Number], and address at [Address], hereinafter the BUYER.

Ambas partes se reconocen mutuamente capacidad legal suficiente para el otorgamiento del presente contrato. / Both parties mutually recognize sufficient legal capacity to enter into this contract.

EXPONEN / DECLARE

PRIMERO: Que el VENDEDOR es propietario del vehículo cuyas características son: Marca [Marca], Modelo [Modelo], Matrícula [Matrícula], y Número de Bastidor (VIN) [Número de Bastidor].
FIRST: That the SELLER is the owner of the vehicle with the following features: Make [Make], Model [Model], License Plate [Plate Number], and VIN [VIN].

SEGUNDO: Que estando interesado el COMPRADOR en la adquisición del referido vehículo, ambas partes han acordado celebrar un CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES de conformidad con el artículo 1454 del Código Civil, el cual se regirá por las siguientes:
SECOND: That as the BUYER is interested in acquiring said vehicle, both parties have agreed to execute an EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT in accordance with Article 1454 of the Spanish Civil Code, governed by the following clauses:

CLÁUSULAS / CLAUSES

PRIMERA (Precio y Señal): El precio total pactado para la compraventa del vehículo es de [Precio Total en Letras] euros ([Precio Total en Números] €). En este acto, el COMPRADOR entrega en concepto de señal o arras la cantidad de [Cantidad Arras en Letras] euros ([Cantidad Arras en Números] €) mediante [Efectivo / Transferencia Bancaria], sirviendo este documento como eficaz carta de pago.
FIRST (Price and Deposit): The total agreed purchase price is [Total Price in Words] euros ([Total Price in Numbers] €). At this moment, the BUYER delivers as a deposit the amount of [Deposit in Words] euros ([Deposit in Numbers] €) via [Cash / Bank Transfer], with this document serving as an effective receipt.

SEGUNDA (Plazo): La firma del contrato definitivo de compraventa y el pago del resto del importe pendiente ([Resto a Pagar] €) se realizarán como máximo el día [Fecha Límite] de [Mes] de [Año].
SECOND (Deadline): The signing of the final bill of sale and payment of the remaining balance ([Remaining Amount] €) shall take place no later than [Deadline Date] of [Month], [Year].

TERCERA (Incumplimiento): Si el COMPRADOR desiste de la operación, perderá la cantidad entregada en concepto de arras. Si es el Vendedor quien desiste, estará obligado a devolver al COMPRADOR el doble de la cantidad recibida (artículo 1454 del Código Civil).
THIRD (Default): If the BUYER withdraws from the operation, they will lose the deposit. If the SELLER withdraws, they must return double the amount received (Article 1454 of the Civil Code).

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

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

Additional documentation required

To successfully transition from this earnest money contract to the complete legal transfer of the vehicle in Spain, ensure you gather and verify the following documents:

• Permiso de Circulación: The vehicle's registration certificate, confirming the seller is the legal owner and there are no roadblocks like administrative seizures (embargos).
• Tarjeta de Inspección Técnica (ITV): Must show a valid passing inspection (ITV pasada). Always check the physical sheet for any minor or major defects noted in the last review.
• DNI/NIE Copies: Photocopies of both the buyer's and seller's valid identification documents to draft the final bill of sale (contrato de compraventa).
• Proof of Payment of IVTM: The receipt showing the local circulation tax (Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica) for the previous year has been paid in the municipality where the car is registered.

As an expert tip when operating in rural areas like Cañaveras, always perform a quick check through the DGT app (miDGT) or request a Informe Reducido from the DGT to confirm that the car is free of charges, fines, or outstanding financial liens before handing over any money.