Download Free Car Deposit Arras Contract Template for El Rosario (Word/PDF)

Buying or selling a second-hand vehicle in Spain can sometimes feel overwhelming due to the paperwork involved. If you are in El Rosario and want to secure a car purchase before finalizing the transfer, you need a legally sound "Contrato de Arras" (Earnest Money Contract). This private agreement acts as a binding deposit, guaranteeing that the seller will hold the vehicle for you, and you, as the buyer, commit to purchasing it under agreed-upon conditions, typically including financial penalties if either party backs out.

Instructions on how and where to use this contract in El Rosario

Unlike official government appeals, a Contrato de Arras is a private contract between the buyer and the seller. Therefore, you do not need to submit it to any municipal office or government building in El Rosario. Instead, follow these practical steps:

• Complete and print out two identical copies of the bilingual template below (one for the buyer, one for the seller).
• Sign both copies in the presence of each other, ideally at the time the deposit is handed over.
• Ensure the buyer transfers or hands over the deposit amount specified in the contract, and make sure the seller issues a signed receipt for these funds.
• Once the final payment and vehicle handover take place in El Rosario, proceed to the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) or a Gestoría to officially change ownership of the vehicle.

CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES / EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT

En El Rosario (Tenerife), a [Día] de [Mes] de [Año]. / In El Rosario (Tenerife), on [Day] of [Month], [Year].

REUNIDOS / PARTIES

DE UNA PARTE (EL VENDEDOR / THE SELLER): Don/Doña [Nombre del Vendedor], con DNI/NIE [Número], y domicilio en [Dirección], teléfono [Teléfono] y correo electrónico [Email].

DE OTRA PARTE (EL COMPRADOR / THE BUYER): Don/Doña [Nombre del Comprador], con DNI/NIE [Número], y domicilio en [Dirección], teléfono [Teléfono] y correo electrónico [Email].

Ambas partes se reconocen la capacidad legal necesaria para otorgar el presente contrato. / Both parties mutually recognize their legal capacity to enter into this contract.

EXPONEN / BACKGROUND

I. Que el Vendedor es propietario del vehículo marca [Marca], modelo [Modelo], con matrícula [Matrícula] y número de bastidor [Número de Bastidor], en adelante, el "Vehículo". / That the Seller is the owner of the vehicle [Brand], [Model], license plate [Plate Number], and VIN [VIN Number], hereinafter the "Vehicle".

II. Que estando interesado el Comprador en la adquisición del citado Vehículo, ambas partes han convenido celebrar un CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES, que se regirá por las siguientes: / That the Buyer being interested in acquiring said Vehicle, both parties agree to execute this EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT, governed by the following:

CLÁUSULAS / CLAUSES

PRIMERA (Objeto y Precio): El Vendedor se compromete a vender el Vehículo al Comprador, y este a comprarlo, por el precio total y convenido de [Precio Total en Letras] euros ([Precio Total en Números] €). / FIRST (Subject Matter and Price): The Seller agrees to sell the Vehicle to the Buyer, and the Buyer agrees to purchase it, for the total agreed price of [Total Price in Words] euros ([Total Price in Numbers] €).

SEGUNDA (Arras): En este acto, el Comprador entrega al Vendedor en concepto de señal y arras penitenciales la cantidad de [Cantidad de Arras en Letras] euros ([Cantidad en Números] €) mediante [Efectivo / Transferencia Bancaria], cantidad que será descontada del precio final de venta. / SECOND (Deposit): In this act, the Buyer delivers to the Seller as a deposit and earnest money the amount of [Deposit in Words] euros ([Amount in Numbers] €) via [Cash / Bank Transfer], which will be deducted from the final sale price.

TERCERA (Plazo): El otorgamiento del contrato definitivo de compraventa y el pago del resto del precio pendiente, así como la entrega material del Vehículo y su documentación, se realizarán antes del día [Fecha Límite] de [Mes] de [Año]. / THIRD (Term): The execution of the final sales contract and the payment of the remaining balance, as well as the physical delivery of the Vehicle and its documentation, shall take place before [Deadline Date] of [Month], [Year].

CUARTA (Incumplimiento y Penalización): - Si el Comprador desiste de la compra, perderá la cantidad entregada en concepto de arras. - Si el Vendedor desiste de la venta o incumple lo pactado, estará obligado a devolver al Comprador el doble de la cantidad recibida (artículo 1454 del Código Civil). / FOURTH (Breach and Penalty): - If the Buyer backs out of the purchase, they will lose the deposit amount. - If the Seller backs out or breaches this agreement, they must return double the amount received (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 as proof of conformity, the parties sign this document in duplicate for a single purpose at the place and date indicated above.

EL VENDEDOR / THE SELLER              EL COMPRADOR / THE BUYER
Fdo: _________________________              Fdo: _________________________

Additional documentation required

To ensure a smooth car transaction in El Rosario, make sure you collect and verify the following documents alongside your signed Contrato de Arras:

• Permiso de Circulación: The vehicle's registration certificate, confirming the seller is the legal owner.
• Ficha Técnica (Tarjeta ITV): The technical inspection card, verifying that the vehicle has a valid ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) where applicable.
• Informe del Vehículo de la DGT: A report from the Spanish Traffic Directorate confirming there are no outstanding fines, embargoes, or charges (cargas) on the vehicle.
• Proof of payment for the IVTM: Receipt showing the local road tax (Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica) for the current year has been paid to the Ayuntamiento de El Rosario.
• Valid ID (DNI / NIE / Passport): Copies of identification documents for both the buyer and the seller.

As an expert tip, never hand over a cash deposit without obtaining a signed receipt or explicitly stating the payment method and amount directly inside the deposit contract. If you are unsure about mechanical conditions or hidden debts tied to the vehicle, request a professional check or a detailed DGT report before transferring any funds in El Rosario.