How to Secure Your Vehicle Purchase in Ponte do Porto: Downloadable Arras Contract Template
Buying a used car from a private seller in Galicia can be a great way to save money, but it carries risks. In Spain, the best way to guarantee that a seller holds the car for you while you arrange financing or a mechanical inspection is to sign a Contrato de Arras. This is a deposit agreement where you commit to buy the vehicle, and the seller commits to selling it to you, with a financial penalty if either party backs out. This article provides a bilingual template to ensure your transaction in Ponte do Porto is legally binding and safe.
Instructions on how to use and formalize your contract in Ponte do Porto
Once you have agreed on the price and vehicle condition, follow these steps:
- Print two copies: Both the buyer and the seller must sign both copies so that each party retains an original.
- Check the documentation: Before signing, verify that the seller is the registered owner of the car by checking the Permiso de Circulación.
- Payment of the deposit: The amount specified in the contract should be paid via bank transfer or another traceable method. Avoid cash payments for large amounts.
- Location: While this is a private contract and does not need to be submitted to the Ponte do Porto Town Hall, keep it in a safe place. If a dispute arises, this document will be your primary evidence in a Spanish court.
CONTRATO DE ARRAS PARA COMPRAVENTA DE VEHÍCULO / VEHICLE PURCHASE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
REUNIDOS / PARTIES:
D./Dña. [Name of Seller], con DNI/NIE [Number], con domicilio en [Address], en adelante "EL VENDEDOR" / "THE SELLER".
D./Dña. [Name of Buyer], con DNI/NIE [Number], con domicilio en [Address], en adelante "EL COMPRADOR" / "THE BUYER".
OBJETO / OBJECT:
El VENDEDOR se compromete a vender y el COMPRADOR a comprar el vehículo [Make/Model], con matrícula [License Plate] y bastidor [VIN Number]. / THE SELLER agrees to sell and THE BUYER agrees to buy the vehicle [Make/Model], license plate [License Plate] and VIN [VIN Number].
PRECIO Y ARRAS / PRICE AND DEPOSIT:
El precio total es de [Total Price] €. El COMPRADOR entrega en este acto la cantidad de [Deposit Amount] € en concepto de arras. / The total price is [Total Price] €. THE BUYER delivers today the amount of [Deposit Amount] € as a deposit.
PENALIZACIÓN / PENALTY:
Si el COMPRADOR desiste, perderá la señal. Si el VENDEDOR desiste, deberá devolver el doble de la señal recibida (Art. 1454 Código Civil). / If THE BUYER withdraws, they lose the deposit. If THE SELLER withdraws, they must return double the amount received (Art. 1454 Civil Code).
Firmado en Ponte do Porto, a [Date]. / Signed in Ponte do Porto, on [Date].
Firma Vendedor / Seller Signature: ____________________
Firma Comprador / Buyer Signature: ____________________
Additional documentation required
To finalize the sale after the deposit period, you will need to prepare the following documents to complete the transfer at the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico):
- Original DNI/NIE: Both parties must provide their valid identification.
- ITV Card: The vehicle's technical inspection card must be up to date.
- Proof of Tax Payment: Ensure the Impuesto de Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica (IVTM) for the previous year has been paid to the local municipality.
- Transfer Form: The official "Solicitud de transmisión de vehículos" form from the DGT.
- Modelo 620/621: You must pay the Property Transfer Tax (ITP) at the tax office of the Xunta de Galicia before going to the DGT.
Expert Tip: Always run a "Informe de Vehículo" from the DGT website before signing any contracts. This costs a small fee but will reveal if the car has any outstanding liens, embargoes, or unpaid fines that could prevent you from registering the car in your name. Never finalize the transaction until you have verified that the vehicle is "free of charges" (libre de cargas).