How to Secure Your Vehicle Purchase in La Luz: Download Your Contract of Arras Template
When buying a second-hand vehicle in Spain, specifically in a locality like La Luz, the "Contrato de Arras" (Earnest Money Contract) is your best legal safeguard. This document acts as a binding reservation agreement where the buyer pays a small deposit to the seller to "hold" the car. If the seller backs out, they must return double the deposit; if the buyer backs out, they forfeit the deposit. This ensures both parties are committed to the transaction while you arrange for the final payment and the transfer of ownership at the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico).
Instructions on how to use and formalize this contract in La Luz
Since this is a private contract between two individuals, you do not need to submit it to a government office to make it valid. However, you should follow these steps to ensure its effectiveness:
- Print two copies of the bilingual template provided below.
- Both the buyer and the seller must sign every page of the document.
- Ensure the vehicle's VIN (Número de Bastidor) and license plate (Matrícula) match the documentation provided by the seller.
- Keep the original signed copy in a safe place until the final transfer of ownership is completed at the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico or through an official agency (gestoría).
CONTRATO DE ARRAS / EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT
REUNIDOS / PARTIES:
De una parte, D./Dña. [Name of Seller], con DNI/NIE [Number], en adelante "EL VENDEDOR".
(On one part, Mr./Ms. [Name of Seller], with ID [Number], hereinafter "THE SELLER".)
De otra parte, D./Dña. [Name of Buyer], con DNI/NIE [Number], en adelante "EL COMPRADOR".
(On the other part, Mr./Ms. [Name of Buyer], with ID [Number], hereinafter "THE BUYER".)
OBJETO / OBJECT:
El VENDEDOR se compromete a vender al COMPRADOR el vehículo [Brand/Model], con matrícula [License Plate] y número de bastidor [VIN].
(The SELLER agrees to sell to the BUYER the vehicle [Brand/Model], with license plate [License Plate] and VIN [VIN].)
PRECIO Y ARRAS / PRICE AND DEPOSIT:
El precio total de venta es de [Amount] €. El COMPRADOR entrega en este acto la cantidad de [Deposit Amount] € en concepto de arras.
(The total sale price is [Amount] €. The BUYER delivers at this moment the amount of [Deposit Amount] € as a deposit.)
PENALIZACIÓN / PENALTY:
Si el VENDEDOR desiste, deberá devolver el doble de las arras recibidas. Si el COMPRADOR desiste, perderá la cantidad entregada.
(If the SELLER withdraws, they must return double the deposit received. If the BUYER withdraws, they will forfeit the amount delivered.)
FECHA LÍMITE / DEADLINE:
La firma del contrato de compraventa definitivo se realizará antes del día [Date].
(The final sales contract will be signed before [Date].)
Firmado en La Luz, a [Day] de [Month] de [Year].
(Signed in La Luz, on [Day] of [Month] of [Year].)
Firma Vendedor / Seller Signature: __________ Firma Comprador / Buyer Signature: __________
Additional documentation required
To finalize the process after signing the contract, you will need to gather the following documents to present to the DGT or your chosen "gestoría":
- Permiso de Circulación: The current vehicle registration document.
- ITV Card: The technical inspection card showing the vehicle has passed its mandatory checks.
- Proof of Tax Payment: Receipt showing the "Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica" (IVTM) has been paid for the previous year in the municipality where the car is registered.
- DNI/NIE: Original and photocopy of both the buyer and seller’s identification.
- Sales Contract: A formal "Contrato de Compraventa" (different from the Arras contract) detailing the final transfer of ownership.
Expert Tip: Before handing over any deposit, always request a "Informe de Vehículo" from the DGT website. This official report costs a small fee and will reveal if the car has any "cargas" (liens, unpaid fines, or embargos) that could prevent you from registering it in your name. Never finalize a purchase if the vehicle has outstanding legal burdens.