How to Secure Your Vehicle Purchase in Mojados: Downloadable Arras Contract Template (Word/PDF)
When buying a private vehicle in Spain, the "Contrato de Arras" (Earnest Money Contract) is your best tool to ensure the seller doesn't back out or sell the car to someone else while you arrange financing or inspections. This legal document effectively "reserves" the car by committing both parties to the transaction. If the buyer pulls out, they forfeit the deposit; if the seller pulls out, they must legally return double the amount received. This guide provides a bilingual template tailored for transactions in Mojados, Valladolid.
Instructions on how and where to use this document in Mojados
This is a private contract, meaning it does not need to be submitted to the local Mojados Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) or the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) at the time of signing. Instead, follow these steps:
- Fill out the document: Complete the bilingual template below with the seller's and buyer's DNI/NIE details.
- Print two copies: Both the buyer and the seller must sign every page of both copies.
- Exchange: Each party keeps one signed original.
- Payment: The "arras" (deposit) should be paid via bank transfer to leave a digital trail, rather than cash, to ensure traceability.
- Finalization: Once the deposit is paid and the contract is signed, proceed to the DGT (usually via a gestoría in Valladolid or online) to finalize the transfer of ownership (Cambio de Nombre).
CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES / EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT
EN MOJADOS, a [Fecha/Date]
REUNIDOS / PARTIES:
Vendedor / Seller: [Nombre y apellidos / Full Name], con DNI/NIE [Número / Number].
Comprador / Buyer: [Nombre y apellidos / Full Name], con DNI/NIE [Número / Number].
OBJETO / OBJECT:
El Vendedor se compromete a vender y el Comprador a comprar el vehículo / The Seller agrees to sell and the Buyer agrees to buy the vehicle:
Marca/Modelo / Make/Model: [Modelo] | Matrícula / License Plate: [Matrícula].
PRECIO Y ARRAS / PRICE AND DEPOSIT:
El precio total de venta es de [Precio] €. El Comprador entrega en este acto la cantidad de [Cantidad] € en concepto de arras / The total sale price is [Price] €. The Buyer pays the amount of [Amount] € as earnest money.
CLÁUSULA / CLAUSE:
Si el Comprador desiste, perderá las arras entregadas. Si el Vendedor desiste, deberá devolver el duplo de las mismas / If the Buyer withdraws, they forfeit the deposit. If the Seller withdraws, they must return double the amount received.
FIRMAS / SIGNATURES:
Fdo: [Vendedor] ____________________ Fdo: [Comprador] ____________________
Additional documentation required
While the contract secures the deal, you will need the following documents to complete the official transfer of the vehicle at the DGT:
- Original DNI/NIE: Valid ID for both parties.
- Permiso de Circulación: The current vehicle registration document.
- Ficha Técnica: The vehicle's technical inspection card (ITV).
- Proof of Payment: Receipt of the "Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales" (ITP), which varies by the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León.
- Contract of Sale: The official DGT "Contrato de Compraventa" which serves as the final transfer document.
Expert Tip: Always request a "Informe de Vehículo" from the DGT website before signing the contract. This report costs a small fee and will tell you if the car has any "cargas" (liens, unpaid taxes, or seizures) attached to it. Never hand over the deposit until you have verified that the car is "clean" and ready for transfer in the Mojados area.