Do I need to follow when the 4S shop tows my car away?
3 Answers
Towing the car to the 4S shop for repairs does not require the owner to be present; a proxy can handle it instead. If the car is under warranty, bring the warranty manual. If it's out of warranty, bring the maintenance manual. Below is additional information: Introduction to 4S Shops: A 4S shop is a car franchise model centered around the 'four-in-one' concept, encompassing vehicle sales (Sale), spare parts (Sparepart), after-sales service (Service), and information feedback (Survey), hence the name 4S shop. Simply put, it's akin to an authorized dealership, uniformly designed by the manufacturer and operated according to the manufacturer's business model. Currently, joint-venture car manufacturers in China have established 4S shops nationwide. These manufacturers supply vehicles and spare parts directly to the 4S shops, which are responsible for sales and providing after-sales services on behalf of the manufacturer. However, 4S shops are not permitted to sell vehicles from other manufacturers.
As someone who frequently deals with 4S shops, my experience is that it depends on the situation. For routine maintenance or minor breakdown towing, you don't need to follow the car, but be sure to take photos of body scratches and mileage before towing, and ideally have the after-sales specialist sign a confirmation form. However, if it's an accident vehicle being towed, I strongly recommend following the car! Only by watching them unload and store the vehicle can you feel at ease, especially when insurance assessment is involved—you can verify the parts replacement list on the spot to avoid future disputes. Last time I followed, I noticed they scratched my alloy wheels, and settling the claim right then saved me a lot of trouble. Remember to bring your ID and a copy of the insurance policy, and clear out all valuables from the car.
It depends on how much you trust the 4S shop. Last year when my transmission failed and I called for a tow truck, I had a fever and didn't go with it. Later, a 'special handling fee' of 200 yuan appeared on the bill. I recommend asking the tow truck driver to video call you on the spot to show the operation process, especially focusing on the chassis lifting points. Prepare an authorization scope in your phone memo in advance, such as 'only for XX fault repair', to prevent them from tampering with other items without permission. It's best to save the direct phone number of the after-sales manager to check the progress at any time. When picking up the car, bring a flashlight to inspect it carefully, especially the front bumper area that is prone to being hit by the tow hook.
