Download Your Official Car Purchase Deposit Agreement (Contrato de Arras) for Legardeta
Buying a car in Legardeta, Spain, requires precision to ensure your investment is protected. A Contrato de Arras (Deposit Agreement) is a private legal contract where the buyer pays a small sum of money to "reserve" the vehicle. This document legally binds the seller to hold the car for you and prevents them from selling it to another party while you finalize the remaining payment or administrative paperwork. If the seller backs out, they are legally obligated to return double the deposit; if you back out, you lose the deposit.
How and where to use this document in Legardeta
Because this is a private contract between two individuals or a private seller and a buyer, you do not need to submit this to a government office in Legardeta. Instead, follow these steps:
- Print two copies of the bilingual template provided below.
- Both the buyer and the seller must sign every page of both copies.
- Ensure the vehicle's license plate (matrícula) and VIN (Bastidor) are double-checked against the Permiso de Circulación.
- Each party keeps one signed original.
- Once the final payment is made, you will use this document as proof of the initial transaction when you proceed to the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) to change the ownership title.
CONTRATO DE ARRAS / DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
REUNIDOS / THE PARTIES:
D./Dña. _________________________, con DNI/NIE ____________, en adelante "EL VENDEDOR" / "THE SELLER".
D./Dña. _________________________, con DNI/NIE ____________, en adelante "EL COMPRADOR" / "THE BUYER".
OBJETO / OBJECT:
El VENDEDOR se compromete a vender al COMPRADOR el vehículo / The SELLER agrees to sell to the BUYER the vehicle:
Marca/Make: __________ Modelo/Model: __________ Matrícula/Plate: __________ Bastidor/VIN: __________
PRECIO Y ARRAS / PRICE AND DEPOSIT:
El precio total es de ________ Euros. El COMPRADOR entrega en este acto la cantidad de ________ Euros en concepto de ARRAS / The total price is ________ Euros. The BUYER delivers today the amount of ________ Euros as a DEPOSIT.
PLAZO / DEADLINE:
La compraventa se formalizará antes del día ___ de ________ de 2024 / The sale shall be finalized before the day ___ of ________ 2024.
Firmado en Legardeta, a ___ de ________ de 2024. / Signed in Legardeta, on this day ___ of ________ 2024.
Firma Vendedor / Seller Signature: ____________________
Firma Comprador / Buyer Signature: ____________________
Additional documentation required
While the Contrato de Arras secures the intent, you will need the following documents to finalize the transfer of ownership once the full payment is made:
- Permiso de Circulación: The vehicle's registration document.
- ITV Card: The technical inspection document (ensure it is valid).
- Proof of Payment: A bank transfer receipt or signed payment acknowledgment.
- Copy of IDs: Photocopies of both the buyer and seller’s DNI, NIE, or Passport.
- Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales (ITP): You will need to pay this tax at the regional tax office (Hacienda Foral if applicable in your specific area) before visiting the DGT.
Expert Tip: Never pay the full amount for a vehicle until you have verified in the DGT registry that the car does not have any "cargas" or "embargos" (liens or legal seizures). You can request a Informe de Vehículo online via the DGT website for a small fee. This simple check is the best way to avoid buying a car that you cannot legally register in your name.