Download Your Car Purchase Deposit Contract (Contrato de Arras) for Membrilla (Word/PDF)

Buying a second-hand car privately in Spain can be full of uncertainties. To secure a vehicle and ensure neither the buyer nor the seller backs out at the last minute, legal experts recommend using a specific private agreement known as a Contrato de Arras (Earnest Money Contract). This document acts as a binding reservation agreement, where the buyer pays a small deposit (arras) to take the car off the market, committing both parties to finalize the sale within an agreed timeframe. If the buyer backs out, they lose the deposit; if the seller backs out, they must return it doubled.

Instructions on how and where to use it in Membrilla

Unlike administrative tax forms or traffic fine appeals, a Contrato de Arras is a private civil contract between two individuals and does not need to be submitted to the Membrilla Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) or the DGT (Directorate-General for Traffic) at the moment of signing. However, because you are conducting this transaction in Membrilla, Ciudad Real, it is best practice to sign the contract in person, verify the vehicle's documentation (Permiso de Circulación and Ficha Técnica), and ensure the car is free of embargoes at the local or provincial level. Once signed, the execution of the final bill of sale (Contrato de Compraventa) and the subsequent transfer of ownership can be processed online or via a local gestoría in the province of Ciudad Real.

CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES / EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT

En Membrilla (Ciudad Real), a [Día] de [Mes] de [Año].

REUNIDOS / THE PARTIES

De una parte, D./Dña. [Nombre del Vendedor], mayor de edad, con DNI [Número de DNI], y domicilio en [Dirección en Membrilla], en adelante el VENDEDOR.

On one part, Mr./Ms. [Seller's Name], of legal age, with ID [ID Number], and address at [Address in Membrilla], hereinafter the SELLER.

Y de otra parte, D./Dña. [Nombre del Comprador], mayor de edad, con DNI [Número de DNI], y domicilio en [Dirección], en adelante el COMPRADOR.

And on the other part, Mr./Ms. [Buyer's Name], of legal age, with ID [ID Number], and address at [Address], hereinafter the BUYER.

Ambas partes se reconocen la capacidad legal necesaria para otorgar el presente contrato y / Both parties mutually recognize the legal capacity to enter into this contract and:

MANIFIESTAN / DECLARE

1. Que el VENDEDOR es propietario del vehículo marca [Marca], modelo [Modelo], matrícula [Matrícula], y número de bastidor [Número de Bastidor], en adelante el VEHÍCULOS.
1. That the SELLER is the owner of the vehicle brand [Brand], model [Model], license plate [License Plate], and VIN [VIN Number], hereinafter the VEHICLE.

2. Que el COMPRADOR está interesado en la adquisición del VEHÍCULO en las condiciones que se estipulan en este documento.
2. That the BUYER is interested in purchasing the VEHICLE under the conditions stipulated in this document.

ESTIPULACIONES / STIPULATIONS

PRIMERA (Objeto y Precio): El VENDEDOR se compromete a vender y el COMPRADOR a comprar el VEHÍCULO por el precio total y convenido de [Precio Total en Letras] euros ([Precio en Números] €), impuestos no incluidos (o incluidos, según acuerdo).
FIRST (Object and Price): The SELLER agrees to sell and the BUYER agrees to buy the VEHICLE for the total agreed price of [Total Price in Words] euros ([Price in Numbers] €).

SEGUNDA (Arras): En este acto, el COMPRADOR entrega en concepto de señal o arras penitenciales al Vendedor la cantidad de [Cantidad de Arras en Letras] euros ([Cantidad en Números] €) en efectivo (o mediante transferencia bancaria), sirviendo este documento como eficaz recibo de dicho pago.
SECOND (Deposit): In this act, the BUYER delivers as earnest money to the SELLER the amount of [Deposit in Words] euros ([Deposit in Numbers] €) in cash (or by bank transfer), this document serving as an effective receipt of said payment.

TERCERA (Desistimiento): El presente contrato se otorga bajo el régimen del artículo 1454 del Código Civil español. Si el COMPRADOR desistiere del contrato, perderá la cantidad entregada. Si el VENDEDOR desistiere, estará obligado a devolverlas duplicadas.
THIRD (Withdrawal): This contract is granted under article 1454 of the Spanish Civil Code. If the BUYER withdraws from the contract, they will lose the amount delivered. If the SELLER withdraws, they shall be obliged to return them doubled.

CUARTA (Plazo): El otorgamiento del contrato definitivo de compraventa y el pago del resto del precio pendiente, así como la entrega material del VEHÍCULO y su documentación, se realizarán como máximo el día [Fecha Límite] en la localidad de Membrilla.
FOURTH (Deadline): The execution of the final sales contract and the payment of the remaining pending price, as well as the physical delivery of the VEHICLE and its documentation, shall take place no later than [Deadline Date] in the town of Membrilla.

Y en prueba de conformidad, firman las partes el presente documento por duplicado en el lugar y fecha al principio indicados.
And as proof of conformity, the parties sign this document in duplicate at the place and date indicated above.

Fdo. El Vendedor / Signed by Seller: _________________      Fdo. El Comprador / Signed by Buyer: _________________

Additional documentation required

When executing this contract in Membrilla, ensure you have verified all supporting vehicle documents to avoid future legal issues. The seller must provide the original Permiso de Circulación (Vehicle Registration) and the Tarjeta de Inspección Técnica (ITV card) showing that the vehicle has a valid and up-to-date inspection. Additionally, it is strongly recommended to request a Informe Reducido del Vehículo from the DGT to verify that there are no outstanding fines, mechanical liens, or administrative embargoes attached to the car.

Expert tip: Never hand over cash without getting a signed receipt or executing this contract simultaneously. If you use a bank transfer for the deposit, include the concept "Arras compraventa vehículo matrícula [Insert Plate]" so there is an undeniable electronic trail of the transaction registered in Spain. Once the final contract is signed, remember that the buyer has 30 days to pay the corresponding transmission tax (Modelo 620/621) before completing the ownership change at the DGT.