Can I Buy a Car in Another City?
2 Answers
It is possible to buy a car in another city, and after purchasing the car, you can either register the license plate in that city or return to your local area to register it. When buying a car in another city, be careful not to choose weekends for the purchase, as the vehicle management office cannot issue temporary license plates. After buying the car and obtaining a temporary plate, you must register for a local license plate within 15 to 30 days. Some cities or regions implement different emission standards. If you buy a car simply because it is cheaper but it does not meet the local emission standards, you will not be able to register it. After driving the purchased car back to your local area, you need to first go to the tax bureau to pay the vehicle purchase tax before you can register the license plate at the vehicle management office.
I once bought a car in another city, and the whole process was much simpler than I imagined. At the time, I was on a business trip and found a car I really liked, which was a few thousand cheaper than back home, so I went ahead and placed the order. The dealer handled all the paperwork for me, including the temporary license plate and arranging transportation. I should mention that the advantage of buying a car out of town is the wider selection and potentially better deals, but you need to factor in transportation costs and time, usually ranging from a few hundred to a thousand yuan. Also, make sure to confirm the after-sales service, such as whether the warranty is valid nationwide. If something goes wrong, maintenance could be a bit more complicated. Overall, buying a car out of town is entirely doable as long as you plan ahead—like checking with your local DMV about the license plate process to avoid issues later. My experience went smoothly, and I saved a good amount of money. The key is to choose a reliable dealer.