Download Your Car Purchase Deposit Contract Template for Fresno Del Rio (Word/PDF)

Buying or selling a second-hand vehicle privately in Spain involves certain legal precautions to ensure neither party backs out of the deal. One of the most effective tools for this is the "Contrato de Arras" (Earnest Money Contract). This is a private agreement where the buyer pays a small holding deposit to reserve the car, establishing a commitment to complete the purchase within an agreed timeframe, while setting clear financial penalties if either the buyer or the seller decides to cancel the transaction.

Instructions on how and where to submit it in Fresno Del Rio

Because the Contrato de Arras is a private contract between individuals rather than an official form for a government agency, you do not need to submit it to any specific local office in Fresno Del Rio, such as the town hall (Ayuntamiento). Instead, both the buyer and the seller must sign two physical copies of the document (or sign digitally) so that each party retains an original copy. While it does not require a notary to be legally binding, both parties must present their valid Spanish identification documents (DNI, NIE, or Passport) at the time of signing. Once the final payment and vehicle handover take place in Fresno Del Rio, you will then need to proceed with the official ownership transfer (cambio de titularidad) at the local office of the Drafte Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) or through an authorized gestoría.

CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES / EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT

En Fresno Del Rio, a [Día] de [Mes] de [Año]

REUNIDOS / THE PARTIES

De una parte, D./Dña. [Nombre y Apellidos del Vendedor], con DNI/NIE [Número], y domicilio a efectos de notificaciones en [Dirección completa, Fresno Del Rio], en adelante el VENDEDOR / THE SELLER.

Y de otra, D./Dña. [Nombre y Apellidos del Comprador], con DNI/NIE [Número], y domicilio a efectos de notificaciones en [Dirección completa], en adelante el COMPRADOR / THE BUYER.

Ambas partes se reconocen mutuamente la capacidad legal necesaria para el otorgamiento del presente contrato, y / Both parties mutually recognize their legal capacity to enter into this contract, and

EXPONEN / DECLARE

I. Que el VENDEDOR es propietario del vehículo cuya marca, modelo y matrícula se detallan a continuación:
- Marca / Make: [Marca]
- Modelo / Model: [Modelo]
- Matrícula / License Plate: [Matrícula]
- Bastidor / VIN: [Número de bastidor]

II. Que el COMPRADOR está interesado en la adquisición del referido vehículo, por lo que ambas partes acuerdan celebrar el presente CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES, que se regirá por las siguientes / The BUYER is interested in purchasing the aforementioned vehicle, and both parties agree to execute this EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT, governed by the following:

CLÁUSULAS / CLAUSES

PRIMERA (Precio y Señal) / FIRST (Price and Deposit):
El precio total pactado para la compraventa del vehículo es de [Cantidad en euros] euros ([000] €). En este acto, el COMPRADOR entrega en concepto de arras la cantidad de [Cantidad de la señal] euros ([000] €) mediante [efectivo / transferencia bancaria], cantidad que será descontada del precio final en el momento de la firma del contrato de compraventa definitivo.
The total agreed purchase price for the vehicle is [Amount in words] euros ([000] €). At this moment, the BUYER delivers the amount of [Deposit amount] euros ([000] €) as earnest money via [cash / bank transfer], which will be deducted from the final price upon signing the final bill of sale.

SEGUNDA (Plazo) / SECOND (Timeframe):
La firma del contrato de compraventa definitivo y el pago del resto del importe pendiente ([Importe restante] €) se realizarán a más tardar el día [Fecha límite] de [Mes] de [Año].
The signing of the final purchase contract and payment of the remaining balance ([Remaining amount] €) shall take place no later than [Deadline Date].

TERCERA (Incumplimiento y Penalización) / THIRD (Breach and Penalty):
Este contrato se celebra bajo el régimen del artículo 1454 del Código Civil español. Si el COMPRADOR desiste de la operación, perderá la cantidad entregada en concepto de arras. Si el Vendedor fuera el que incumpliera o decidiera no vender el vehículo, estará obligado a devolver al COMPRADOR el doble de la cantidad recibida.
This contract is governed by Article 1454 of the Spanish Civil Code. If the BUYER withdraws from the transaction, they shall forfeit the deposit. If the SELLER defaults or decides not to sell the vehicle, they shall be obliged to return double the amount received to the BUYER.

Y en prueba de conformidad, las partes firman el presente documento por duplicado y a un solo efecto, en el lugar y fecha al principio 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
Fdo: _______________________

EL COMPRADOR / THE BUYER
Fdo: _______________________

Additional documentation required

When executing this contract in Fresno Del Rio, ensure you have the correct supplementary documents ready to guarantee a smooth transaction. The seller must provide a photocopy of their DNI/NIE, the vehicle's "Permiso de Circulación" (Registration Certificate), the "Ficha Técnica" (Technical Inspection Card), and proof that the latest "ITV" (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) is fully up to date. Additionally, it is vital to request a "Informe del Vehículo" from the DGT (Directorate-General for Traffic) beforehand to verify that the car is free of any outstanding fines, embargoes, or pending car loans (cargas financieras) that could complicate the final transfer of ownership.

Expert tip: Never hand over cash without getting a signed receipt or explicitly stating the exact deposit amount written directly into the Contrato de Arras. If you are making the deposit via bank transfer, include a clear concept note in the transaction such as "Arras compra vehículo matrícula [Insert Plate Number]" to establish clear legal proof of payment.