How to Secure Your Vehicle Purchase in San Rafael: Downloadable Arras Contract Template

Buying a car from a private seller in Spain can be a daunting process, especially when you want to ensure the vehicle is held for you while you arrange financing or mechanical inspections. In Spain, the "Contrato de Arras" (Earnest Money Contract) is the most secure way to formalize a reservation. It serves as a binding agreement where you pay a deposit to the seller; if the seller backs out, they must return double the deposit, and if you back out, you forfeit the deposit. This document protects both parties in the transaction.

Instructions on how and where to use this document in San Rafael

Since this is a private agreement between two individuals, you do not need to submit this to a government office in San Rafael. However, you must handle the process carefully to ensure its validity:

• Print two copies of the bilingual contract provided below.
• Both the buyer and the seller must sign every page of both copies.
• Ensure the vehicle's VIN (Número de Bastidor) and license plate (Matrícula) match the documentation provided by the seller.
• Keep one original signed copy for your records; the seller keeps the other.
• If you are meeting in San Rafael, it is common practice to sign this at a local gestoría if you want professional oversight, though it is not strictly legally required for the contract to be valid.

CONTRATO DE ARRAS / EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT

REUNIDOS / THE PARTIES:
De una parte, D./Dña. _________________________, con DNI/NIE ___________, en adelante "EL VENDEDOR" / "THE SELLER".
De otra parte, D./Dña. _________________________, con DNI/NIE ___________, en adelante "EL COMPRADOR" / "THE BUYER".

OBJETO / OBJECT:
El VENDEDOR se compromete a vender al COMPRADOR el vehículo / The SELLER agrees to sell to the BUYER the vehicle:
Marca/Make: ___________ Modelo/Model: ___________ Matrícula/Plate: ___________ Bastidor/VIN: ___________

PRECIO Y ARRAS / PRICE AND EARNEST MONEY:
El precio total de venta es de ___________ euros. En este acto, el COMPRADOR entrega al VENDEDOR la cantidad de ___________ euros en concepto de arras / The total sale price is ___________ euros. At this moment, the BUYER delivers to the SELLER the amount of ___________ euros as earnest money.

CONDICIONES / CONDITIONS:
Si el COMPRADOR desiste, perderá las arras. Si el VENDEDOR desiste, deberá devolver el doble de las arras recibidas / If the BUYER withdraws, they shall forfeit the deposit. If the SELLER withdraws, they shall return double the amount of the deposit received.

Firma del VENDEDOR / Seller's Signature: ____________________
Firma del COMPRADOR / Buyer's Signature: ____________________
Fecha / Date: ____ de ___________ de 202__

Additional documentation required

While the contract secures the deal, you must finalize the transfer of the vehicle at the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico). To complete the process after the contract is signed, you will need:

• The vehicle's "Permiso de Circulación" (Registration Certificate).
• The "Ficha Técnica" (Technical Inspection Card) showing a valid ITV.
• Proof of payment of the "Impuesto de Circulación" (Road Tax) for the previous year.
• A copy of the seller's DNI.
• The "Contrato de Compraventa" (the formal bill of sale, which is the next step after the Arras contract).

Expert Tip: Before signing the Arras contract in San Rafael, always request an "Informe de Vehículo" from the DGT website. This report will tell you if the car has any outstanding fines, embargos, or legal issues that would prevent the transfer of ownership. Never hand over money without verifying the car's legal status first.