Download Car Purchase Deposit Agreement Template for Ponte Do Porto (Word/PDF)

When buying or selling a used vehicle in Spain, securing the deal with a deposit is a common and necessary practice. A "Contrato de Arras" (Earnest Money Contract) is a private agreement between a buyer and a seller where the buyer pays a small fraction of the vehicle's total price upfront to reserve it, while the seller takes the car off the market. If you are negotiating a car sale in Ponte Do Porto, using a legally sound contract protects both parties from sudden cancellations, lost deposits, or unexpected breaches of agreement under Spanish civil law.

Instructions on how and where to use it in Ponte Do Porto

Because a "Contrato de Arras" for a vehicle is a private agreement between individuals or companies, it does not need to be submitted to any government office, Trafico (DGT), or town hall in Ponte Do Porto at the moment of signing. Instead, follow these practical steps:

• Print two physical copies of the bilingual template provided below so both the buyer and the seller can sign each copy.
• Meet in person in Ponte Do Porto (or anywhere mutually convenient) to inspect the vehicle's documentation (Permiso de Circulación and Ficha Técnica).
• Exchange the signed document along with the deposit payment (preferably via bank transfer or traceable method for security).
• Once the final payment and the change of ownership (transferencia) are completed at a gestoría or online via the DGT, the earnest money contract is successfully fulfilled.

CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES / EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT

En Ponte Do Porto, a [Día] de [Mes] de [Año]
In Ponte Do Porto, on [Day] of [Month] of [Year]

REUNIDOS / PARTIES

DE UNA PARTE, D./Dña. [Nombre Vendedor], mayor de edad, con DNI [DNI Vendedor], y domicilio en [Dirección en Ponte Do Porto u otra], en adelante el VENDEDOR.
ON THE ONE PART, Mr./Ms. [Seller Name], of legal age, with ID [Seller ID], and address at [Address], hereinafter the SELLER.

Y DE OTRA PARTE, D./Dña. [Nombre Comprador], mayor de edad, con DNI [DNI Comprador], y domicilio en [Dirección Comprador], en adelante el COMPRADOR.
AND ON THE OTHER PART, Mr./Ms. [Buyer Name], of legal age, with ID [Buyer ID], and address at [Address], hereinafter the BUYER.

Ambas partes se reconocen mutua capacidad legal para obligarse y
Both parties mutually recognize legal capacity to bind themselves and

MANIFIESTAN / DECLARE

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

II. Que el COMPRADOR está interesado en la adquisición del citado vehículo, por lo que ambas partes acuerdan celebrar un CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES, regido por el artículo 1454 del Código Civil español, sujeto a los siguientes:
II. That the BUYER is interested in purchasing the aforementioned vehicle, therefore both parties agree to enter into an EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT, governed by article 1454 of the Spanish Civil Code, subject to the following:

CLÁUSULAS / CLAUSES

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

SEGUNDA (Arras): En este acto, el COMPRADOR entrega al Vendedor la cantidad de [Cantidad Arras en Letras] euros ([Cantidad Arras en Números] €) en concepto de señal o arras, sirviendo este documento como eficaz recibo de dicho importe. Dicha cantidad se descontará del precio final del vehículo en el momento de la firma del contrato definitivo de compraventa.
SECOND (Deposit): In this act, the BUYER delivers to the SELLER the amount of [Deposit Amount in Words] euros ([Deposit Amount in Numbers] €) as a deposit, this document serving as an effective receipt for said amount. This amount will be deducted from the final price of the vehicle at the time of signing the final deed of sale.

TERCERA (Plazo): El contrato de compraventa definitivo y el pago del resto del precio pendiente ([Precio Pendiente] €) se realizarán antes del día [Fecha Límite] de [Mes] de [Año].
THIRD (Term): The final sales contract and the payment of the remaining pending price ([Pending Price] €) shall be completed before [Deadline Date] of [Month] of [Year].

CUARTA (Incumplimiento): Si el COMPRADOR desistiera 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.
FOURTH (Breach): If the BUYER withdraws from the purchase, they will lose the deposit amount delivered. If the SELLER decides not to sell the vehicle or breaches this agreement, they shall be obliged to return to the BUYER double the amount received, in accordance with article 1454 of the Civil Code.

Y en prueba de conformidad, firman las partes el presente documento por duplicado en el lugar y fecha arriba indicados.
And in witness whereof, the parties sign this document in duplicate at the place and date indicated above.

Fdo. El Vendedor / Signed by the Seller: _____________________
Fdo. El Comprador / Signed by the Buyer: _____________________

Additional documentation required

When executing this deposit contract and subsequently finalizing the vehicle purchase in Ponte Do Porto, ensure you also compile the following paperwork to avoid future legal headaches:

• Photocopy of DNI/NIE: Valid identification documents of both the buyer and the seller.
• Vehicle Documentation: The original "Permiso de Circulación" (Registration Certificate) and the "Tarjeta de ITV" (Technical Inspection Card) showing the vehicle has passed its periodic inspections.
• Proof of Payment for Road Tax: The receipt showing that the previous year's "Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica" (IVTM) has been paid to the local municipality.
• Informe del Vehículo: A detailed report from the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) requested by the buyer to verify there are no hidden fines, embargoes, or outstanding finance charges on the car.

Expert tip for transactions in the Costa da Morte region: Always ensure that the final transfer of ownership is formally registered with the DGT or processed through an authorized automotive administrative agency ("gestoría") within 30 days of signing the final bill of sale. This legally protects the seller from receiving future traffic fines incurred by the new owner and ensures the buyer receives clean title to the vehicle.