Can the car deposit be refunded?

[CollinFitz]

It depends on whether the payment slip states "deposit" or "reservation fee" when the payment was made. The following explains the difference between the two: Deposit cannot be refunded: A deposit, which clearly indicates a reservation, is a mutual expression of intent with a specific purpose. According to contract law, except in cases of invalid contracts, deposits are non-refundable, and courts generally do not support the owner's request for a refund. Article 586 of the Civil Code stipulates that the parties may agree that one party shall pay a deposit to the other party as security for the claim. A deposit contract is established when the deposit is actually delivered. Reservation fee can be refunded: A reservation fee, which implies a tentative booking, generally represents a mutual expression of ambiguous intent. Similarly, under the Civil Code, a reservation fee can be requested for a refund.

[OAdriel]

I worked in the automotive sales industry for several years, and this is a very common question. Whether the car deposit can be refunded mainly depends on the agreement you signed. Pay attention to these two words when paying the deposit: 'booking fee' and 'deposit'—they are completely different. If it's a 'booking fee,' it's considered a prepayment and should theoretically be refunded if the deal falls through, but in practice, 4S dealerships often set conditions. If it's a 'deposit,' it carries a legal guarantee, meaning you'll lose the money if you back out. Also, carefully review the fine print in the contract, such as what happens if the delivery is delayed. In special cases, like the manufacturer failing to deliver the car on time, this constitutes a breach of contract, and you can not only get your money back but also claim compensation. Remember to keep all payment receipts and agreements as evidence in case you need to escalate the issue to consumer protection authorities.

[MacZoe]

Last month, my cousin fell into this trap when he ordered a car. He paid a deposit of 20,000 yuan, but after going home and thinking it over calmly, he felt the monthly payments were too much of a burden. The next day, he went back to cancel the deal. The salesperson initially took a hard stance, saying no refunds were allowed. I accompanied him to the dealership to negotiate with the manager. I took out my phone to record the conversation and directly pointed out that the contract didn’t explicitly state the word 'deposit.' The manager immediately softened and agreed to refund 80%, though they still deducted a small processing fee. So, the lesson I learned is: before paying, record the salesperson verbally agreeing that the deposit is refundable; immediately check the wording on the receipt after payment; and if you encounter resistance, mention the 12315 consumer hotline—dealerships fear complaints the most. Also, be extra careful with car loans—if the bank doesn’t approve the loan, that’s a valid reason for a refund.

[Keegan]

It depends. If it's a handwritten receipt labeled as 'deposit' when signing the car purchase agreement, it's usually refundable. I once helped a friend get a refund. However, many 4S dealerships now include hidden clauses in contracts, such as fine print stating 'special configuration orders require 30 days before a refund can be processed.' If you don't notice it on the spot, you'll have to accept the loss. It's advisable to bring a family member when signing; two people reviewing the contract together are less likely to miss details. Keep a close eye on the refund process, as they often delay it for half a month citing procedures. Here's a lesser-known tip: refunds are easiest before the VIN is entered into the system. If you really want a refund, go directly to the store's duty manager instead of wasting time with the salesperson.