Can a new car with minor exterior damage be licensed?

[StClayton]

Can a new car with minor exterior damage be licensed? A car is only prohibited from being licensed if the damage exceeds what affects normal driving. Vehicle certification is required for licensing: When registering a car at the DMV, the vehicle's certification must be submitted to the DMV staff for archiving. Purchase invoice is required for licensing: Whether buying from a 4S store or an auto trader, the owner will receive a purchase invoice after the purchase, which must be kept safe. Without this invoice, the car cannot be licensed. The purchase invoice must be submitted to the DMV staff during the licensing process, and this invoice also needs to be archived.

[LaFelicity]

Minor cosmetic damages like small scratches or dents on a new car's exterior usually don't prevent registration. When I bought my car, I accidentally scraped the door edge shortly after pickup, leaving a shallow mark that worried me. At the DMV, inspectors primarily checked critical safety components like the engine, brakes, and lighting systems, paying little attention to such minor flaws. They emphasized that as long as overall safety and the vehicle identification number aren't compromised, small exterior issues are generally acceptable. The registration process also involves inspections of the chassis and emissions - pass these and you'll get plates. I recommend washing the car beforehand to present a cleaner appearance and avoid unnecessary scrutiny. While significant damage affecting lights or bumpers may require repair first, don't stress too much about minor blemishes.

[IvanDella]

For minor scratches or slight dents on a new car, I don’t think there will be any issues during registration. From what I often see in car owner discussions, the DMV’s main focus is ensuring the vehicle is safe to drive—things like a stable-running engine, functioning lights, and other hard requirements. As for small paint chips or minor dents, they usually turn a blind eye. Minor damage won’t affect registration, but since it’s a new car, I’d recommend doing a quick fix before registering to avoid potential issues like rust or insurance claim hassles later. If there are aftermarket parts, like a wrapped film that got scratched, the DMV might ask a few extra questions, but small damages in the original factory condition generally won’t hold you back. In short, don’t overthink it—getting the registration done sooner is the way to go.

[LeEmiliano]

I've been driving for years, and minor damages on a new car are common, like small scratches from parking lots. Generally, it's fine when registering the license plate. The DMV mainly checks the engine number and mechanical functions; minor appearance issues won't get you rejected. From experience, it's more convenient to repair after registration, but make sure the damage isn't too severe to affect safety. Small flaws are acceptable for registration, so don't worry too much.