How to Secure Your Vehicle Purchase in Sant Salvador: Downloadable "Contrato de Arras" Template
Buying a second-hand car in Spain can be a daunting process, especially when navigating local customs in areas like Sant Salvador. To ensure the seller doesn't sell the vehicle to someone else while you arrange financing or inspections, you need a "Contrato de Arras" (Earnest Money Contract). This is a private agreement where you pay a small deposit to reserve the car, legally binding both parties to the transaction under specific terms.
How and where to use this document in Sant Salvador
This document is a private contract between the buyer and the seller; it does not need to be submitted to the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) or the Sant Salvador Town Hall at the moment of signing. You simply print two copies, have both parties sign every page, and each person keeps one. Once the final sale is completed, you proceed to the official "Transferencia de Vehículo" at the DGT office or through a gestoría in Sant Salvador.
CONTRATO DE ARRAS / EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT
En Sant Salvador, a [Date] de [Month] de 202X.
REUNIDOS / THE PARTIES:
D./Dña. [Seller Name], con DNI/NIE [Number], en adelante "EL VENDEDOR" (THE SELLER).
D./Dña. [Buyer Name], con DNI/NIE [Number], en adelante "EL COMPRADOR" (THE BUYER).
OBJETO / OBJECT:
El VENDEDOR se compromete a vender al COMPRADOR el vehículo [Make/Model], matrícula [License Plate], con número de bastidor [VIN Number].
THE SELLER agrees to sell the vehicle [Make/Model], license plate [License Plate], VIN [VIN Number] to the BUYER.
PRECIO Y ARRAS / PRICE AND DEPOSIT:
El precio total de venta es de [Total Price] €. El COMPRADOR entrega en este acto la cantidad de [Deposit Amount] € en concepto de arras.
The total sale price is [Total Price] €. The BUYER pays the amount of [Deposit Amount] € as a deposit.
CONDICIONES / CONDITIONS:
Si el COMPRADOR desiste, perderá la señal. Si el VENDEDOR desiste, deberá devolver el doble de la cantidad recibida.
If the BUYER withdraws, the deposit is forfeited. If the SELLER withdraws, they must return double the amount received.
FIRMAS / SIGNATURES:
Fdo: [Seller Signature] ____________________
Fdo: [Buyer Signature] ____________________
Additional documentation required
While the contract is the first step, remember that for the official change of ownership in Spain, you will eventually need:
- The original "Permiso de Circulación" (Vehicle Registration).
- The "Tarjeta de Inspección Técnica" (ITV card) with the latest inspection stamp.
- Proof of payment of the "Impuesto de Circulación" (IVTM) for the previous year.
- A copy of the DNI/NIE of both the buyer and the seller.
- The signed "Contrato de Compraventa" (Final Bill of Sale).
Expert tip: Always run a "Informe de Vehículo" from the DGT website before signing the contract. This report costs a small fee and will tell you if the car has any "cargas" (liens) or "embargos" (seizures) that could prevent the transfer. Never hand over the full cash amount until the transfer has been officially confirmed by a professional gestoría or the DGT.