Download Car Purchase Deposit Contract Template (Contrato de Arras) in Palmas De Gran Canaria (Las) (Word/PDF)

Buying or selling a used car in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria can sometimes involve delays between the initial agreement and the final payment and transfer of ownership. To secure the vehicle and protect both parties, experts use a legal document known as a Contrato de Arras (Earnest Money Contract). This is a private deposit agreement where the buyer pays a small percentage of the vehicle's total price upfront as a guarantee. If the buyer backs out, they lose the deposit; if the seller backs out, they must legally return double the amount (arras penitenciales). This practice is standard across Spain, including the Canary Islands, and provides essential legal security before visiting the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico).

Instructions on how and where to submit it in Palmas De Gran Canaria (Las)

Unlike official government appeals or tax forms, a Contrato de Arras is a private agreement between two individuals or a private buyer and a dealership. Therefore, you do not need to submit it to any official government registry or DGT office in Las Palmas at the moment of signing. Instead, both the buyer and the seller must sign two identical copies (one for each party) at the moment the deposit is exchanged.

However, you will need to keep this signed contract safe as proof of the agreed purchase price and conditions. Once you complete the final payment, the transfer of ownership (cambio de titularidad) must be processed. In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, you can complete this vehicle transfer digitally using the DGT electronic headquarters (sede electrónica), through an authorized Gestor Administrativo in Las Palmas, or in person by appointment at the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico de Las Palmas (located on Calle León y Castillo or the designated provincial office).

CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES / EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT

En Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 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 a efectos de notificaciones en [Dirección en Las Palmas], en adelante el VENDEROR / THE SELLER.

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

Ambas partes se reconocen la capacidad legal necesaria para otorgar el presente contrato y, a tal fin,

EXPONEN / DECLARE

FIRST: Que el VENDEDOR es propietario del vehículo usado cuyas características son:
- Marca / Make: [Marca]
- Modelo / Model: [Modelo]
- Matrícula / License Plate: [Matrícula]
- Bastidor / VIN: [Número de Bastidor]

SECOND: Que el VENDEDOR y el COMPRADOR han convenido la compraventa del vehículo anteriormente descrito por el precio total y final de [Cantidad en euros] euros ([Importe en letra] €), impuestos incluidos.

CLÁUSULAS / CLAUSES

FIRST (Deposit / Arras): En este acto, el COMPRADOR entrega al Vendedor la cantidad de [Cantidad del depósito] euros ([Importe en letra] €) en concepto de señal o arras penitenciales, sirviendo este documento como la más eficaz carta de pago de dicha cantidad. / The Buyer delivers to the Seller the amount of [Deposit amount] euros as an earnest money deposit, this document serving as formal receipt.

SECOND (Final Payment): El resto del importe del precio de venta, es decir, la cantidad de [Resto del pago] euros, será abonado por el COMPRADOR al VENDEDOR en el momento de la firma del contrato definitivo de compraventa y la entrega material del vehículo junto con sus llaves y documentación. / The remaining balance shall be paid upon final signing and vehicle delivery.

THIRD (Deadline): La firma del contrato definitivo de compraventa y la entrega del vehículo se realizarán como fecha límite el día [Fecha límite] de [Mes] de [Año]. / The final contract and handover shall take place no later than [Deadline date].

FOURTH (Penalties / Penalizaciones): Conforme al artículo 1454 del Código Civil español, si el COMPRADOR desiste del contrato, perderá la cantidad entregada. Si el VENDEDOR desiste, estará obligado a devolver el doble de la cantidad recibida. / According to Spanish Civil Code, if the Buyer withdraws, they lose the deposit. If the Seller withdraws, they must return double the amount.

Y en prueba de conformidad, firman las partes el presente documento por duplicado y a un solo efecto en Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, en la fecha ut supra.

Fdo. El Vendedor / The Seller: ____________________      Fdo. El Comprador / The Buyer: ____________________

Additional documentation required

To ensure the purchase goes smoothly in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, make sure you gather and review the following documents alongside your Contrato de Arras:

• Permiso de Circulación: The vehicle's registration certificate, which proves who the legal owner is and whether there are any administrative restrictions.
• Ficha Técnica (Tarjeta ITV): The technical inspection card. Verify that the ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) is fully up to date. In the Canary Islands, passing the ITV is mandatory, and driving without it invalidates your insurance.
• Informe del Vehículo de la DGT: It is highly recommended that the buyer requests a vehicle report ("Informe Reducido o Detallado") from the DGT to check for hidden fines, outstanding car loans (cargas o embargos), or mileage discrepancies.
• Proof of payment of the IVTM: The receipt showing that the local vehicle tax (Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica) for the corresponding municipality in Gran Canaria (e.g., Ayuntamiento de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) has been paid for the current year.
• Valid ID (DNI/NIE): Copies of both the buyer's and seller's identification documents, which will be required later to draft the final bill of sale (contrato de compraventa) and execute the transfer at the DGT.

Expert Tip: Always pay the deposit via bank transfer (transferencia bancaria) or Bizum rather than cash whenever possible. This creates an undeniable digital audit trail linked to the concept "Arras vehículo matrícula [XXXX]". If you must pay in cash, ensure you explicitly state in the template text that the cash was handed over in the presence of witnesses and make sure the seller signs a distinct receipt clause within the contract. Always verify that the person signing the contract matches the exact name listed on the DGT vehicle registration document.