How to Secure Your Vehicle Purchase in Vilagarcía: Downloadable "Contrato de Arras" Template
Buying a used car in Vilagarcía de Arousa involves navigating Spanish civil law to ensure your interests are protected. A Contrato de Arras is a private deposit agreement that legally reserves a vehicle for the buyer. By signing this document, the buyer pays a small portion of the total price upfront, guaranteeing the seller will not sell the car to someone else. If the seller backs out, they are legally obligated to return double the deposit amount; if the buyer backs out, they forfeit the deposit.
Instructions on how and where to use this document in Vilagarcía
Since the Contrato de Arras is a private contract between two parties, you do not need to submit it to the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) or the Vilagarcía Town Hall. Instead, follow these steps:
- Verification: Meet the seller in person in Vilagarcía to inspect the vehicle and check the "Informe de Vehículo" from the DGT to ensure there are no outstanding liens or "embargos."
- Drafting: Fill out the bilingual template provided below with the details of both parties and the vehicle.
- Signing: Both the buyer and seller must sign every page of the document.
- Exchange: Provide the deposit amount via a traceable method (bank transfer) and ensure you receive a signed copy of the contract.
CONTRATO DE ARRAS / DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
En Vilagarcía de Arousa, a [FECHA] / In Vilagarcía de Arousa, on [DATE].
REUNIDOS / PARTIES:
De una parte, el VENDEDOR: [NOMBRE], con DNI/NIE [NÚMERO], y domicilio en [DIRECCIÓN]. / On one side, the SELLER: [NAME], with ID [NUMBER], and address at [ADDRESS].
De otra parte, el COMPRADOR: [NOMBRE], con DNI/NIE [NÚMERO], y domicilio en [DIRECCIÓN]. / On the other side, the BUYER: [NAME], with ID [NUMBER], and address at [ADDRESS].
OBJETO / OBJECT:
El VENDEDOR se compromete a vender al COMPRADOR el vehículo [MARCA/MODELO], con matrícula [MATRÍCULA] y número de bastidor [BASTIDOR]. / The SELLER agrees to sell to the BUYER the vehicle [MAKE/MODEL], license plate [PLATE], and VIN [VIN].
PRECIO Y ARRAS / PRICE AND DEPOSIT:
El precio total es de [CANTIDAD] €. El COMPRADOR entrega en este acto la cantidad de [CANTIDAD] € en concepto de arras. / The total price is [AMOUNT] €. The BUYER delivers at this moment the amount of [AMOUNT] € as a deposit.
CONDICIONES / CONDITIONS:
Si el COMPRADOR desiste, perderá las arras. Si el VENDEDOR desiste, deberá devolver el doble de lo recibido (Art. 1454 Código Civil). / If the BUYER withdraws, they forfeit the deposit. If the SELLER withdraws, they must return double the amount received (Art. 1454 Civil Code).
Firma del VENDEDOR / SELLER Signature: ______________
Firma del COMPRADOR / BUYER Signature: ______________
Additional documentation required
Once you have signed the Contrato de Arras, you will eventually need the following documents to finalize the transfer of ownership at the DGT:
- Original vehicle registration certificate (Permiso de Circulación).
- Valid ITV (Technical Inspection) report.
- Proof of payment of the ITP (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales) to the Xunta de Galicia.
- A copy of the sales contract (Contrato de Compraventa) signed at the time of final payment.
Expert tip: Always verify the seller’s identity by requesting their original DNI or NIE. If the car is registered under a company name, ensure the person signing has the legal power of attorney to sell company assets. If you are unsure about the car's mechanical state, I recommend taking it to a trusted mechanic in the Vilagarcía area before finalizing the deposit agreement.