How to Secure Your Vehicle Purchase in Sant Joan de Vilatorrada: Downloadable Arras Contract Template
When buying a second-hand vehicle in Spain, it is common practice to formalize the commitment between buyer and seller using a Contrato de Arras. This document acts as a deposit agreement, ensuring that the seller removes the vehicle from the market and the buyer secures the price, preventing last-minute changes or sales to other parties. This bilingual template is designed specifically for residents in Sant Joan de Vilatorrada to provide legal peace of mind before finalizing the transfer at the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico).
Instructions on how and where to use this document in Sant Joan de Vilatorrada
This contract is a private document between two parties and does not need to be submitted to the Sant Joan de Vilatorrada Town Hall (Ajuntament). However, you should follow these steps to ensure its validity:
- Print two copies: Both the buyer and the seller must sign every page of both copies.
- Identification: Ensure you have the original DNI, NIE, or Passport of both parties present.
- Payment: The deposit (arras) is typically paid via bank transfer or Bizum to leave a digital trail. Avoid cash payments above the legal limits.
- Finalization: Once this document is signed, the next step is the official vehicle transfer (cambio de titularidad) at the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico in Barcelona.
CONTRATO DE ARRAS PARA LA COMPRAVENTA DE VEHÍCULO / VEHICLE PURCHASE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
En Sant Joan de Vilatorrada, a [Date] de [Month] de 202X.
REUNIDOS / THE PARTIES:
De una parte, el VENDEDOR: D./Dña. [Name], con DNI/NIE [Number], y domicilio en [Address]. / The SELLER: [Name], with ID [Number], residing at [Address].
De otra parte, el COMPRADOR: D./Dña. [Name], con DNI/NIE [Number], y domicilio en [Address]. / The BUYER: [Name], with ID [Number], residing at [Address].
OBJETO / OBJECT:
El VENDEDOR se compromete a vender al COMPRADOR el vehículo marca [Brand], modelo [Model], matrícula [License Plate] por un precio total de [Price]€. / The SELLER agrees to sell to the BUYER the vehicle [Brand], model [Model], license plate [License Plate] for a total price of [Price]€.
ARRAS / THE DEPOSIT:
El COMPRADOR entrega en este acto la cantidad de [Deposit Amount]€ en concepto de señal o arras. / The BUYER pays today the amount of [Deposit Amount]€ as a deposit.
Si el COMPRADOR desiste, perderá la señal. Si el VENDEDOR desiste, deberá devolver el doble de la cantidad recibida. / If the BUYER withdraws, they forfeit the deposit. If the SELLER withdraws, they must return double the amount received.
FIRMAS / SIGNATURES:
Fdo. Vendedor / Signed Seller: ____________________
Fdo. Comprador / Signed Buyer: ____________________
Additional documentation required
While the Contrato de Arras secures the agreement, the following documents are mandatory to complete the legal transfer of the vehicle in Spain:
- Permiso de Circulación: The original vehicle registration document.
- Ficha Técnica: The vehicle's technical inspection card (ITV), which must be valid.
- Impuesto de Circulación (IVTM): Proof that the previous year's road tax has been paid in the municipality where the vehicle is registered.
- Contrato de Compraventa: A formal bill of sale (separate from the deposit agreement).
- DNI/NIE Copies: Photocopies of the identity documents of both parties.
Expert Tip: Before signing anything, always request a Informe de Vehículo from the DGT website. This report costs a small fee but will reveal if the car has any outstanding fines, embargos, or "cargas" that could prevent you from registering the vehicle in your name. If you are buying in Sant Joan de Vilatorrada, check if the seller is up to date with the local road tax (Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica) at the local tax office to avoid inheriting unpaid debts.