Download Free Car Deposit & Holding Agreement Template in Urretxu (Word/PDF)

Buying a second-hand car from a private seller or a dealership in Gipuzkoa can sometimes be stressful, especially when you find the right vehicle in Urretxu and want to make sure nobody else buys it before you finalize the paperwork. This is where a Contrato de Arras para Reserva de Compra de Coche (Car Purchase Deposit Contract) comes in. This legal instrument acts as a binding reservation agreement, allowing the buyer to secure the vehicle by paying a small deposit while locking in the agreed price, and setting clear penalties if either party backs out of the deal.

Instructions on how and where to submit it in Urretxu

Unlike administrative documents or traffic fines issued by the DGT, a car deposit contract is a private civil agreement between two parties (the buyer and the seller). Therefore, it does not need to be submitted to the Urretxu Town Hall (Ayuntamiento de Urretxu) or any official traffic registry at the time of signing. Instead, follow these practical steps:

• Meet in Person in Urretxu: It is highly recommended to meet the seller face-to-face in Urretxu, inspect the vehicle, and review its paperwork (such as the Permiso de Circulación and Ficha Técnica) before signing.
• Sign in Duplicate: Print two physical copies of the bilingual template provided below so that both the buyer and the seller keep an original, signed copy.
• Secure the Payment: Transfer or hand over the deposit amount specified in the contract. Always ensure you get a signed receipt or that the contract explicitly acknowledges the receipt of the funds.
• Next Steps in Spain: Once the final purchase is completed, remember that the transfer of ownership (cambio de titularidad) must be processed through the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) or via an authorized gestoria in the Basque Country.

CONTRATO DE ARRAS / CAR PURCHASE DEPOSIT CONTRACT

En Urretxu (Gipuzkoa), a [Día] de [Mes] de [Año]

In Urretxu (Gipuzkoa), on [Day] of [Month] of [Year]

REUNIDOS / PARTIES

DE UNA PARTE, D./Dña. [Nombre y Apellidos del Vendedor], con DNI [Número de DNI] y domicilio a efectos de notificaciones en [Dirección en Urretxu u otra localidad], en adelante, EL VENDEDOR.

FROM ONE PART, Mr./Ms. [Seller's Name], with ID [ID Number] and address for notification purposes at [Address], hereinafter, THE SELLER.

Y DE OTRA PARTE, D./Dña. [Nombre y Apellidos del Comprador], con DNI [Número de DNI] y domicilio a efectos de notificaciones en [Dirección], en adelante, EL COMPRADOR.

AND FROM THE OTHER PART, Mr./Ms. [Buyer's Name], with ID [ID Number] and address for notification purposes at [Address], hereinafter, THE BUYER.

Ambas partes se reconocen mutuamente la capacidad legal necesaria para otorgar el presente contrato y,

Both parties mutually recognize the legal capacity necessary to grant this contract and,

EXPONEN / DECLARE

PRIMERO: Que EL VENDEDOR es propietario del vehículo cuyas características son:

FIRST: That THE SELLER is the owner of the vehicle with the following characteristics:

• Marca / Make: [Ej. Seat]
• Modelo / Model: [Ej. León]
• Matrícula / License Plate: [Ej. 0000-XXX]
• Número de Bastidor / VIN: [Número de bastidor]

SEGUNDO: Que estando interesado EL COMPRADOR en la adquisición del referido vehículo, ambas partes han acordado celebrar un contrato de arras penitenciales conforme al artículo 1454 del Código Civil español, el cual se rige por las siguientes:

SECOND: That THE BUYER being interested in acquiring the aforementioned vehicle, both parties have agreed to enter into a penitential deposit contract in accordance with article 1454 of the Spanish Civil Code, which is governed by the following:

CLÁUSULAS / CLAUSES

PRIMERA (Precio): El precio total pactado para la compraventa del vehículo es de [Cantidad en euros] euros ([0000] €), impuestos incluidos.

FIRST (Price): The total agreed price for the sale of the vehicle is [Amount in words] euros ([0000] €), taxes included.

SEGUNDA (Arras): En este acto, EL COMPRADOR entrega en concepto de señal o arras la cantidad de [Cantidad de la reserva] euros ([0000] €) mediante [efectivo / transferencia bancaria], sirviendo este documento como eficaz recibo de dicho importe. Dicha cantidad será descontada del precio total en el momento de la firma del contrato definitivo de compraventa.

SECOND (Deposit): In this act, THE BUYER delivers as a deposit the amount of [Deposit amount] euros ([0000] €) via [cash / bank transfer], this document serving as an effective receipt of said amount. This amount will be deducted from the total price at the time of signing the final sales contract.

TERCERA (Plazo): La firma del contrato definitivo de compraventa y el pago del resto del importe pendiente ([Precio total menos señal] €) se realizarán a más tardar el día [Fecha límite] de [Mes] de [Año].

THIRD (Deadline): The signing of the final sales contract and the payment of the remaining amount ([Total price minus deposit] €) shall take place no later than [Deadline Date] of [Month] of [Year].

CUARTA (Incumplimiento y Penalizaciones):

• Si EL COMPRADOR desiste de la operación, perderá la cantidad entregada en concepto de arras.
• Si EL VENDEDOR desiste o incumple lo pactado, estará obligado a devolver a EL COMPRADOR el doble de la cantidad recibida (2 x [Cantidad de la reserva] €).

FOURTH (Default and Penalties):

• If THE BUYER withdraws from the transaction, they will lose the amount delivered as a deposit.
• If THE SELLER withdraws or breaches the agreement, they shall be obliged to return to THE BUYER double the amount received (2 x [Deposit amount] €).

Y en prueba de conformidad, ambas partes firman el presente documento por duplicado y a un solo efecto en el lugar y fecha arriba indicados.

And as proof of conformity, both parties sign this document in duplicate and for a single purpose at the place and date indicated above.

Fdo. EL VENDEDOR / SIGNED: THE SELLER            Fdo. EL COMPRADOR / SIGNED: THE BUYER

Additional documentation required

To ensure a smooth transition when buying or selling a car in Urretxu after signing this deposit agreement, make sure you gather and verify the following documentation before handing over the rest of the money:

• Vehicle Registration Papers (Permiso de Circulación y Ficha Técnica): Check that the technical inspection (ITV) is completely up to date. You can request a Informe Reducido from the DGT to check for any hidden charges, liens, or encumbrances on the vehicle.
• Valid Identification (DNI / NIE / Passport): Both the buyer and seller must present their valid Spanish identification documents or residency cards.
• Proof of Last Circulation Tax Payment (IVTM): The seller should provide proof that the municipal vehicle tax (Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica) corresponding to the Urretxu municipality or previous municipality has been paid for the current year.
• Final Bill of Sale (Contrato de Compraventa): Once the deadline arrives and the final payment is made, execute a formal purchase contract along with the official DGT transfer forms (Modelo 05 for tax purposes if applicable, though exempt between private parties under certain conditions in the Basque Country).

As an expert tip, never transfer large sums of money without a signed paper trail like the template above. If you are dealing with a professional dealership in Gipuzkoa, ensure they provide an official invoice specifying the warranty period (usually one year minimum for second-hand vehicles), whereas private sales are typically governed by civil law regarding hidden defects (vicios ocultos) with a strict 6-month statutory protection window.