Download Your Car Purchase Deposit Contract Template for Montferrer (Word/PDF)

Buying or selling a used car privately in Spain can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when trying to secure a deal without losing the vehicle to another buyer. If you are navigating a private vehicle transaction in Montferrer, securing the agreement with a legally binding deposit is essential. A Contrato de Arras (Earnest Money Contract) is a private agreement where the buyer pays a small upfront deposit to reserve the vehicle, committing both parties to finalize the purchase under agreed-upon terms, while setting clear financial penalties if either party backs out.

Instructions on how and where to use and sign this document in Montferrer

Unlike official administrative forms, a Contrato de Arras is a private contract between the buyer and the seller. It does not need to be submitted to the Montferrer Town Hall (Ajuntament) or the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) at the moment of signing. Instead, follow these steps to execute it properly:

• Meet in person in Montferrer or the surrounding Alt Urgell region to inspect the vehicle and review its documentation.
• Fill out the bilingual template below with the exact details of the buyer, seller, and vehicle.
• Print two copies (one for the buyer, one for the seller) and ensure both parties sign every page.
• The buyer transfers or hands over the agreed deposit amount (usually via bank transfer or traceable payment, avoiding excessive cash).
• Keep the signed contract safe until the final bill of sale (contrato de compraventa) and vehicle handover take place.

CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES / EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT

En Montferrer (Lleida), a [Fecha de firma] / In Montferrer (Lleida), on [Date]

REUNIDOS / PARTIES

DE UNA PARTE, D./Dña. [Nombre y Apellidos del Vendedor], mayor de edad, con DNI [Número de DNI] y domicilio en [Dirección en Montferrer u otra localidad], en adelante el VENDEROR / THE SELLER.

Y DE OTRA PARTE, D./Dña. [Nombre y Apellidos del Comprador], mayor de edad, con DNI/NIE [Número de DNI/NIE] y domicilio en [Dirección del Comprador], en adelante el COMPRADOR / THE BUYER.

Ambas partes se reconocen la capacidad legal necesaria para otorgar el presente documento, y / Both parties mutually recognize their legal capacity to execute this document, and

EXPONEN / DECLARSE

I. Que el VENDEDOR es propietario del vehículo marca [Marca], modelo [Modelo], con matrícula [Número de Matrícula] y número de bastidor [Número de Bastidor / VIN], en adelante el VEHÍCULO.
I. That the SELLER is the owner of the vehicle make [Make], model [Model], license plate [License Plate], and VIN [VIN], hereinafter the VEHICLE.

II. Que el COMPRADOR está interesado en la adquisición del VEHÍCULO, por lo que ambas partes acuerdan suscribir un CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES de conformidad con las siguientes / That the BUYER is interested in acquiring the VEHICLE, and therefore both parties agree to sign this EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT in accordance with the following:

CLÁUSULAS / CLAUSES

PRIMERA (Precio y Arras) / FIRST (Price and Deposit): El precio total pactado para la compraventa del VEHÍCULO es de [Precio total en euros] euros ([Cantidad en letra] €). En este acto, el COMPRADOR entrega en concepto de señal o arras penitenciales la cantidad de [Cantidad de arras] euros ([Cantidad en letra] €) mediante [Método de pago: efectivo / transferencia bancaria], cantidad que será descontada del precio final en el momento del otorgamiento del contrato de compraventa definitivo.
The total agreed price for the sale of the VEHICLE is [Total Price] Euros. By signing this document, the BUYER delivers the amount of [Deposit Amount] Euros as an earnest money deposit via [Payment Method], which will be deducted from the final price upon signing the final bill of sale.

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

TERCERA (Incumplimiento) / THIRD (Breach of Contract): Si el COMPRADOR desiste de la compra, perderá la cantidad entregada en concepto de arras. Si el VENDEDOR decidiera no vender el vehículo o incumpliera lo pactado, estará obligado a devolver al COMPRADOR el doble de la cantidad recibida, de conformidad con el artículo 1454 del Código Civil español.
If the BUYER withdraws from the purchase, they will forfeit the deposit. If the SELLER decides not to sell or breaches this agreement, they must return to the BUYER double the amount received, in accordance with Article 1454 of the Spanish Civil Code.

Y en prueba de conformidad, firman el presente contrato por duplicado y a un solo efecto en el lugar y fecha arriba indicados.
And as proof of agreement, the parties sign this contract in duplicate at the place and date indicated above.

Fdo. El Vendedor / Signed The Seller: ___________________      Fdo. El Comprador / Signed The Buyer: ___________________

Additional documentation required for the transaction

While the deposit contract is an essential first step, finalizing the car purchase in Spain requires several mandatory documents. Keep these ready for when you complete the transaction:

• Permiso de Circulación: The vehicle's registration certificate, confirming the seller is the legal owner.
• Tarjeta de Inspección Técnica (ITV): Must be valid and up to date, ideally with the recent sheet showing favorable results.
• DNI / NIE / Passport: Valid identification copies of both the buyer and the seller.
• Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica (IVTM): Proof of payment of the local car tax (Municipal road tax in Montferrer or the corresponding municipality) for the previous year.

Closing paragraph with expert tips

Drafting a clear Contrato de Arras protects both parties against unexpected changes of heart and ensures peace of mind during private vehicle sales in Montferrer. Always ensure that the vehicle has no hidden embargoes or outstanding fines by requesting a Informe Reducido or Informe Completo from the DGT before handing over any money. If you are ever unsure about the mechanical state of the car or the accuracy of the paperwork, consult a local gestoría in the Alt Urgell region to guide you through the final transfer of ownership.