Download the Ultimate Car Deposit Contract Template (Word/PDF) in Nogales

Buying or selling a used vehicle privately in Spain can sometimes feel like navigating a maze of bureaucracy. Whether you are a buyer securing your dream car or a seller wanting to take a vehicle off the market with a firm commitment, you need a legally sound document. This is where the Contrato de Arras (Car Deposit Contract) comes in. This essential private agreement ensures that both parties are legally bound to the transaction, establishing a financial guarantee (the deposit) that penalizes the buyer if they back out, or forces the seller to return double if they sell the car to someone else. Below, you will find a practical guide, submission insights for Nogales, and a ready-to-copy bilingual template.

Instructions on how and where to use it in Nogales

Because the Contrato de Arras is a private agreement between two individuals, it does not need to be submitted to a public office, Town Hall (Ayuntamiento), or the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) at the moment of signing. You can sign it right at home, in a local café in Nogales, or wherever convenient. However, to ensure it holds legal weight if a dispute arises:

• Both the buyer and seller must sign every page of the document alongside a clear photocopy or photo of their DNI, NIE, or Passport.
• It is highly recommended to sign two identical copies so each party retains an original.
• While not strictly mandatory for a private sale, keeping the transaction traceable via bank transfer for the deposit amount (rather than cash) provides undeniable proof of payment.
• Once the final payment is made and the car is handed over, you will still need to complete the official ownership transfer (cambio de titularidad) at the DGT or through a Gestoría in the province of Badajoz.

CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES / PENITENTIAL DEPOSIT CONTRACT

En Nogales (Badajoz), a [Día] de [Mes] de [Año].

REUNIDOS / PARTIES

De una parte, D./Dña. [Nombre Vendedor], con DNI [Número DNI], y domicilio a efectos de notificación en [Dirección], en adelante el VENDEDOR.
From one part, Mr./Ms. [Seller Name], with ID [ID Number], and address at [Address], hereinafter the SELLER.

De otra parte, D./Dña. [Nombre Comprador], con DNI [Número DNI], y domicilio a efectos de notificación en [Dirección], en adelante el COMPRADOR.
From the other part, Mr./Ms. [Buyer Name], with ID [ID Number], and address at [Address], hereinafter the BUYER.

EXPONEN / DECLARE

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

II. Que estando interesado el COMPRADOR en la adquisición del citado vehículo, ambas partes acuerdan libremente celebrar un CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES, que se regirá por las siguientes:
That the BUYER being interested in acquiring said vehicle, both parties freely agree to enter into a PENITENTIAL DEPOSIT CONTRACT, governed by the following:

CLÁUSULAS / CLAUSES

PRIMERA: El precio total convenido para la compraventa del vehículo es de [Precio Total en Letras] euros ([Precio Total en Números] €), impuestos incluidos.
FIRST: The total agreed price for the sale of the vehicle is [Total Price in Words] euros ([Total Price in Numbers] €), taxes included.

SEGUNDA: En este acto, el COMPRADOR entrega en concepto de señal y arras la cantidad de [Cantidad Arras en Letras] euros ([Cantidad Arras en Números] €) mediante [Método de pago: efectivo/transferencia], sirviendo este documento como eficaz carta de pago.
SECOND: In this act, the BUYER delivers as a deposit the amount of [Deposit Amount in Words] euros ([Deposit Amount in Numbers] €) via [Payment method: cash/transfer], this document serving as an effective payment receipt.

TERCERA: El resto del importe pendiente, es decir, la cantidad de [Cantidad Restante] €, será abonado por el COMPRADOR antes del día [Fecha Límite] de [Mes] de [Año], fecha límite en la que se firmará el contrato definitivo de compraventa y se realizará la entrega material del vehículo y las llaves.
THIRD: The remaining balance, amounting to [Remaining Amount] €, shall be paid by the BUYER before [Deadline Date] of [Month] [Year], the deadline by which the final sales contract will be signed and the physical delivery of the vehicle and keys will take place.

CUARTA: Si el COMPRADOR desiste unilateralmente de la compra, perderá la cantidad entregada en concepto de arras. Si el Vendedor incumpliera o decidiera no vender el vehículo, estará obligado a devolver al COMPRADOR el doble de la cantidad recibida, conforme al artículo 1454 del Código Civil.
FOURTH: If the BUYER unilaterally withdraws from the purchase, they will lose the deposit amount delivered. If the SELLER defaults or decides not to sell the vehicle, they shall be obliged to return to the BUYER double the amount received, in accordance with article 1454 of the Spanish Civil Code.

Y en prueba de conformidad, firman las partes el presente documento por duplicado y a un solo efecto en el lugar y fecha arriba indicados.
And in witness thereof, the parties sign this document in duplicate and for a single purpose at the place and date indicated above.

EL VENDEDOR / THE SELLER
Firma: ___________________________

EL COMPRADOR / THE BUYER
Firma: ___________________________

Additional documentation required

To make the subsequent vehicle handover and legal transfer entirely smooth in Nogales, make sure you collect or prepare the following documents alongside your signed Contrato de Arras:

• Permiso de Circulación (Registration Certificate): To verify the current owner details.
• Tarjeta de Inspección Técnica (ITV Card): Ensuring the vehicle has a valid technical inspection up to date.
• DNI/NIE photocopies: Both of the buyer and the seller.
• Official DGT Transfer Form (Modelo de Solicitud de Transmisión de Vehículos): Signed by both parties, required for the final ownership change at the traffic authority.

Closing paragraph with expert tips

Using a structured bilingual Contrato de Arras minimizes misunderstandings, especially if either party is more comfortable reading in English or Spanish. As an expert tip for transactions in smaller municipalities like Nogales, always verify before handing over the deposit that the vehicle has no hidden embargoes, executive liens, or unpaid municipal taxes (IVTM) from the Nogales Town Hall. You can easily request a simple vehicle report (Informe Reducido o Detallado) from the DGT website beforehand to guarantee absolute peace of mind.