Downloadable Deposit Agreement (Contrato de Arras) for Buying a Car in Santa Coloma de Gramenet
If you are planning to purchase a second-hand vehicle in Santa Coloma de Gramenet, securing the deal with a deposit agreement—known in Spain as a Contrato de Arras—is the best way to protect your interests. This document acts as a formal commitment between the buyer and the seller, ensuring that the car is taken off the market while you arrange the final payment and transfer of ownership. Our bilingual template provides the legal certainty you need to avoid last-minute cancellations or misunderstandings.
How and Where to Use This Document in Santa Coloma de Gramenet
In Spain, a Contrato de Arras is a private document between two individuals; it does not need to be submitted to the local Santa Coloma City Hall (Ayuntamiento) or a public registry. However, it serves as the foundational legal evidence for the subsequent transfer of the vehicle.
- Step 1: Print two copies of the bilingual template provided below.
- Step 2: Both the buyer and the seller must sign each page of both copies.
- Step 3: Keep one copy for your records and hand the other to the seller.
- Step 4: Once the final payment is made, you will proceed to the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico (DGT) or use a professional consultancy (gestoría) in Santa Coloma to complete the official change of ownership (cambio de titularidad).
CONTRATO DE ARRAS (DEPOSIT AGREEMENT)
REUNIDOS (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 the vehicle to the BUYER):
Marca/Modelo: ____________ Matrícula: ____________ Bastidor (VIN): ____________
PRECIO Y ARRAS (PRICE AND DEPOSIT):
El precio total es de _________€. El COMPRADOR entrega en este acto la cantidad de _________€ en concepto de arras (deposit).
(The total price is ____€. The BUYER delivers the amount of ____€ as a deposit).
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 lose the deposit. If the SELLER withdraws, they must return double the amount received).
En Santa Coloma de Gramenet, a ____ de ___________ de 202_.
Firma VENDEDOR (Seller Signature) / Firma COMPRADOR (Buyer Signature)
Additional Documentation Required
While the Contrato de Arras is your initial private guarantee, you will need the following documents to finalize the purchase legally in Spain:
- Permiso de Circulación: The vehicle's registration document.
- ITV Card: The technical inspection card showing the vehicle is roadworthy.
- Receipt of IVTM: Proof that the "Road Tax" (Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica) has been paid for the previous year.
- Official DNI/NIE: Copies of the identification documents of both parties for the DGT transfer form.
Expert Tip: Always check the vehicle’s status at the DGT (Informe de Vehículo) before signing the deposit agreement. This simple report costs a few euros and will tell you if the car has any outstanding liens, embargoes, or unpaid fines that could prevent you from registering the car in your name. If you are buying from a private individual, ensure the car is free of "cargas" before handing over any money.