📝 Trámites y Plantillas DGT

How to Secure Your Vehicle Purchase in Centelles: Downloadable Deposit Agreement Template

Buying a used car in Spain can be a daunting process, especially when you need to ensure the seller does not sell the vehicle to someone else while you arrange financing or inspections. A Contrato de Arras (Deposit Agreement) is a private contract that formalizes your intent to purchase, providing legal protection for both the buyer and the seller. By paying a small deposit, you secure the right to purchase the car at an agreed price within a specific timeframe. This guide provides a bilingual template tailored for transactions in Centelles.

Instructions on how and where to use this document in Centelles

Since a Contrato de Arras is a private document between two individuals, you do not need to submit it to the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) or the Centelles Town Hall. Instead, follow these steps:

Print two copies: Both the buyer and the seller must sign both copies so that each party retains an original.
Verification: Meet in a public place in Centelles. Ensure the seller shows you the original Permiso de Circulación (Vehicle Registration) and the Ficha Técnica (Technical Sheet).
Payment: It is highly recommended to make the deposit via bank transfer to leave a digital trail, rather than using cash, especially for amounts exceeding 1,000 euros.
Next Steps: Once the final payment is made, you must proceed to the formal transfer of ownership (cambio de titularidad) at the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico in Barcelona, or through a Gestoría in Centelles.

📄 Modelo Oficial / Official Template

Plantilla / Template

CONTRATO DE ARRAS / DEPOSIT AGREEMENT

En Centelles, a [Date] de [Month] de [Year] / In Centelles, on [Date] of [Month] of [Year]

REUNIDOS / THE PARTIES
Vendedor / Seller: [Name], con DNI/NIE [Number] / with ID [Number].
Comprador / Buyer: [Name], con DNI/NIE [Number] / with ID [Number].

OBJETO / OBJECT
El Vendedor se compromete a vender el vehículo / The Seller agrees to sell the vehicle:
Marca/Modelo / Make/Model: [Insert details]
Matrícula / License Plate: [Insert plate number]

CONDICIONES / CONDITIONS
1. El precio total de venta es de [Amount] €. / The total sale price is [Amount] €.
2. El comprador entrega en este acto la cantidad de [Amount] € en concepto de arras. / The buyer pays [Amount] € as a deposit.
3. La compraventa deberá formalizarse antes del día [Date]. / The sale must be finalized before [Date].
4. Si el comprador desiste, pierde la señal. Si el vendedor desiste, deberá devolver el doble de la señal recibida. / If the buyer withdraws, they lose the deposit. If the seller withdraws, they must return double the deposit received.

Firmas / Signatures:
Fdo: [Seller Name] ____________________ Fdo: [Buyer Name] ____________________

Additional documentation required

While the Contrato de Arras is your initial private agreement, you will need the following documents to finalize the transfer of the vehicle in Spain:

Original DNI/NIE: Both the buyer and the seller must present their original identification.
ITV Report: Ensure the vehicle has a valid Inspección Técnica de Vehículos (ITV).
Proof of Payment: A receipt or bank confirmation of the full purchase price.
Transfer Form: The official form provided by the DGT for the change of ownership (Solicitud de cambio de titularidad).
Tax Receipt: Proof of payment of the ITP (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales) at the local tax office (Agència Tributària de Catalunya).

Expert Tip: Always run a "Informe de Vehículo" from the DGT website before signing any document. This costs a small fee but will tell you immediately if the car has any outstanding liens, embargoes, or unpaid traffic fines that could prevent you from registering the car in your name later. If you are not comfortable with the legal terminology, visiting a local Gestoría in Centelles is a small investment that provides peace of mind for the entire transfer process.