Are There Still Risks After a Successful Used Car Transfer?
4 Answers
Normally, there are no further risks after successfully transferring ownership of a used car. Below are the risks associated with not transferring ownership when purchasing a used car: 1. For the seller: If the vehicle is transferred without completing the legal transfer of registration, the original owner retains ownership of the vehicle. In the event of a traffic accident, the owner who has not completed the transfer will bear greater responsibility, potentially facing undeserved compensation claims and unexpected costs. Therefore, it is essential to complete the transfer procedures at the motor vehicle registration authority after the transaction. 2. For the buyer: Although you may possess and drive the used car daily, the ownership has not been transferred to your name. If the seller later changes their mind, they can reclaim the car. Additionally, if authorities seize the seller's assets, the car may still be subject to seizure, resulting in a loss for the buyer.
I bought a used car last year, and all the transfer procedures were completed smoothly. However, a month later, a debt collection company came knocking, saying there was still an outstanding loan on the car! The original owner had secretly taken out a second mortgage, and the creditor had the right to repossess the collateralized vehicle. A successful transfer only means the vehicle registration information was updated at the DMV. If the seller concealed the fact that the car was mortgaged or seized, the buyer could end up losing both the car and the money. A friend of mine had it worse—he bought a cloned car, and after the transfer, the real owner showed up and directly reported it to the police, resulting in the car being impounded. It’s advisable to check the 'vehicle records' immediately after the transfer to see if there are any mortgage registrations or seizure records. At the same time, keep the transaction contract and payment receipts safe, as these are crucial evidence in case of future disputes. When buying a used car, never go for deals that seem too good to be true—cars priced significantly below market value are almost always suspicious.
The used car industry is full of pitfalls. Having worked in a repair shop for seven years, I've seen too many cases. One customer discovered three months after the transfer that the car had been in a major accident, with all welded joints cracked; another even more outrageous case involved a buyer being promised annual inspections, only to find out after the transfer that it was a National III emission standard vehicle, long banned from local roads. Even after completing the transfer, hidden engine issues or illegal modifications may surface later. Also, pay special attention to the difference between "whole vehicle warranty" and "three guarantees"—the warranty periods promised by used car dealers are basically meaningless. I've seen tires bulge after just 2,000 kilometers, with the seller simply blaming the tire shop. Remind everyone to focus on checking frame welding points, oil emulsification, and transmission jerks during pickup—these are the most common hidden dangers.
As an ordinary car owner, I would like to highlight three key risks: First, unpaid taxes and fees. My neighbor received a notice to pay backdated vehicle and vessel tax after purchasing a used car, as the previous owner had defaulted for three years, accumulating over 2,000 yuan. Second, component lifespan. For example, tires may appear to have deep treads but are actually aged. I experienced a rear-end collision due to skidding in the rain two weeks after buying a used car, and inspection revealed the tires were manufactured six years prior. Third, annual inspection hassles. Last year, I helped my father buy a used car, and no issues were found during the transfer at the DMV. However, this year's annual inspection showed exhaust emissions three times over the limit, and the repair shop said the catalytic converter had been swapped out. These hidden pitfalls are hard to detect during the transfer process. It's advisable to use a paint thickness gauge to check for repainting, read OBD for fault codes, and spend a few hundred yuan on a third-party inspection for peace of mind.
