Download the Car Deposit Contract (Contrato de Arras) Template in Cartes (Word/PDF)
Buying or selling a car privately in Spain involves a few legal hurdles, and securing the transaction is the most critical step. If you are in Cartes and want to reserve a vehicle or ensure the buyer doesn't back out, you need a solid legal tool known as a Contrato de Arras (Earnest Money Contract). This is a private agreement where the buyer pays a small deposit (arras) to take the car off the market, committing both parties to finalize the purchase within an agreed timeframe. If the buyer backs out, they lose the deposit; if the seller backs out, they must typically return it doubled.
Instructions on how and where to use it in Cartes
Because the Contrato de Arras is a private agreement between two individuals, you do not need to submit it to any public administration or town hall in Cartes at the moment of signing. However, both the buyer and the seller must sign it in person, preferably with two printed copies (one for each party). While not strictly mandatory for validity, if you ever need to register the final vehicle transfer or deal with local tax implications, having this signed contract with clear dates, DNI/NIE numbers, and vehicle details provides absolute legal security. You can sign it anywhere in Cartes, whether at a local cafe or your home, as long as both parties present their valid ID documents (DNI, NIE, or Passport).
CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES / EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT
En Cartes (Cantabria), a [Día] de [Mes] de [Año]
In Cartes (Cantabria), on [Day] of [Month] of [Year]
REUNIDOS / PARTIES
DE UNA PARTE (EL VENDEDOR / THE SELLER):
Don/Doña [Nombre y Apellidos del Vendedor], con DNI/NIE [Número de DNI/NIE], y domicilio en [Dirección en Cartes u otra localidad], teléfono [Teléfono] y correo electrónico [Email].
DE OTRA PARTE (EL COMPRADOR / THE BUYER):
Don/Doña [Nombre y Apellidos del Comprador], con DNI/NIE [Número de DNI/NIE], y domicilio en [Dirección], teléfono [Teléfono] y correo electrónico [Email].
Ambas partes se reconocen la capacidad legal necesaria para otorgar el presente documento y / Both parties mutually recognize the legal capacity to sign this document and
EXPONEN / DECLARE
PRIMERO: Que el Vendedor es propietario del vehículo cuyos datos se detallan a continuación:
FIRST: That the Seller is the owner of the vehicle detailed below:
- Marca / Brand: [Marca]
- Modelo / Model: [Modelo]
- Matrícula / License Plate: [Matrícula]
- Bastidor / VIN: [Número de Bastidor]
- Kilómetros / Mileage: [Kilometraje actual]
SEGUNDO: Que el Comprador está interesado en la adquisición del vehículo descrito, por lo que ambas partes acuerdan celebrar un contrato de arras penitenciales bajo las siguientes:
SECOND: That the Buyer is interested in acquiring the described vehicle, and therefore both parties agree to enter into an earnest money contract under the following:
CLÁUSULAS / CLAUSES
PRIMERA (Precio y Arras): El precio total pactado para la compraventa del vehículo es de [Precio Total en Letras] euros ([Precio en Números] €). En este acto, el Comprador entrega al Vendedor en concepto de señal o arras la cantidad de [Cantidad de Arras en Letras] euros ([Cantidad en Números] €) mediante [efectivo / transferencia bancaria], cantidad que será descontada del precio final en el momento de la firma del contrato de compraventa definitivo.
FIRST (Price and Deposit): The total agreed price for the sale of the vehicle is [Total Price in Words] euros ([Number] €). In this act, the Buyer delivers to the Seller as a deposit the amount of [Deposit Amount in Words] euros ([Number] €) via [cash / bank transfer], which will be deducted from the final price upon signing the final sales contract.
SEGUNDA (Plazo): El contrato de compraventa definitivo y la entrega efectiva del vehículo se realizarán antes del día [Fecha límite] de [Mes] de [Año]. Si llegado dicho plazo, la compraventa no se hubiera efectuado por causa imputable al Comprador, este perderá la cantidad entregada en concepto de arras. Si el incumplimiento fuera imputable al Vendedor, este estará obligado a devolver al Comprador la cantidad recibida duplicada, conforme al artículo 1454 del Código Civil.
SECOND (Deadline): The final sales contract and the effective delivery of the vehicle shall take place before [Deadline Date] of [Month] of [Year]. If by such date the sale has not been completed due to fault of the Buyer, they will lose the deposit. If the default is attributable to the Seller, they shall return to the Buyer double the amount received, in accordance with Article 1454 of the Spanish Civil Code.
TERCERA (Estado del vehículo): El Comprador declara conocer el estado actual del vehículo, el cual acepta expresamente.
THIRD (Vehicle condition): The Buyer declares to know the current condition of the vehicle, which they expressly accept.
Y en prueba de conformidad, firman las partes el presente documento por duplicado y a un solo efecto, en el lugar y fecha al principio indicados.
And as proof of conformity, 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 ensure your car transaction in Cartes goes smoothly alongside this deposit contract, make sure you gather the following documents before completing the final sale:
- Photocopy of the DNI, NIE, or Passport of both the buyer and the seller.
- The vehicle's Permiso de Circulación (Registration Certificate) and Tarjeta de ITV (Technical Inspection Card, ensuring the ITV is up to date).
- Proof of payment of the latest Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica (IVTM - local road tax paid to the Ayuntamiento de Cartes).
- A standard Contrato de Compraventa (Sales Contract) to be signed when the final balance is paid and the car is handed over.
Closing paragraph with expert tips
Drafting a clear Contrato de Arras is your best shield against unexpected last-minute withdrawals when buying or selling a car in Cartes. Always ensure that the vehicle's registration number and VIN match the official documents precisely, and never hand over cash without a signed receipt or a clause explicitly stating how the deposit was paid. If you follow these practical guidelines, your private vehicle transaction will proceed safely, transparently, and completely within the bounds of Spanish law.