How to Secure Your Vehicle Purchase in Ordes: Downloadable Arras Contract Template (Word/PDF)

Buying a second-hand car in Ordes can be a stressful experience, especially when you find the perfect vehicle and want to ensure it doesn't get sold to someone else while you arrange financing or insurance. To protect your interests, you need a Contrato de Arras (Deposit Agreement). This document serves as a formal reservation, where you pay a small deposit to the seller to "lock in" the purchase price and the vehicle, providing legal security for both parties under the Spanish Civil Code.

Instructions on how to use and formalize this contract in Ordes

This document is a private contract, meaning it does not need to be submitted to a government office in Ordes or a Notary to be legally binding. However, to ensure it is effective:

• Print two copies: Both the buyer and the seller must sign each page of both copies.
• Exchange: Each party keeps one signed original.
• Payment: The deposit amount (the "arras") should be transferred via a traceable method (bank transfer) or paid in cash with a signed receipt attached to the contract.
• Location: While the signing can happen anywhere, it is recommended to sign it in the presence of the seller at the location where the vehicle is parked in Ordes to verify the car's current state.

CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES / PENITENTIAL DEPOSIT AGREEMENT

REUNIDOS / THE PARTIES
De una parte, D./Dña. [Name of Seller], con DNI [ID Number], y domicilio en [Address], en adelante "EL VENDEDOR".
De otra parte, D./Dña. [Name of Buyer], con DNI [ID Number], y domicilio en [Address], en adelante "EL COMPRADOR".

OBJETO / OBJECT
El VENDEDOR se compromete a vender al COMPRADOR el vehículo [Make/Model], con matrícula [License Plate] y número de bastidor [VIN], en adelante "EL VEHÍCULO".

PRECIO Y ARRAS / PRICE AND DEPOSIT
El precio total acordado es de [Total Price in Euros] €. En este acto, el COMPRADOR entrega al VENDEDOR la cantidad de [Deposit Amount] € en concepto de arras, que serán descontadas del precio final.

CONDICIONES / CONDITIONS
1. Si el COMPRADOR desiste de la compra, perderá la cantidad entregada. / If the BUYER withdraws from the purchase, they shall forfeit the deposit.
2. Si el VENDEDOR desiste de la venta, deberá devolver al COMPRADOR el doble de la cantidad recibida. / If the SELLER withdraws from the sale, they shall return double the amount received.
3. La compraventa final deberá formalizarse antes del día [Deadline Date] en [Location]. / The final sale must be formalized before [Date] in [Location].

Firmado en Ordes, a [Day] de [Month] de [Year].

Firma Vendedor / Seller Signature: ____________________
Firma Comprador / Buyer Signature: ____________________

Additional documentation required

Once you have signed the Contrato de Arras, you must verify the following documents before completing the final sale to ensure a smooth transition of ownership:

• Informe del Vehículo: Request a "Vehicle Report" from the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) to ensure the car has no outstanding charges, liens, or embargoes (cargas).
• ITV Card: Ensure the vehicle has a valid and up-to-date ITV (Technical Inspection).
• Tax Compliance: Confirm that the "Impuesto de Circulación" (Road Tax) for the current year has been paid to the Ordes Town Hall.
• Proof of Identity: Always photocopy the seller's DNI or NIE to ensure the person selling the car is the legal owner listed on the vehicle's registration (Permiso de Circulación).

Expert Tip: Never pay the full amount of the car until you have verified the vehicle's status at the DGT. In Ordes, you can visit a local administrative agency (gestoría) if you are unsure about the paperwork; they can handle the transfer of ownership (cambio de titularidad) for a small fee, which is highly recommended to avoid future administrative headaches with the Spanish traffic authorities.