Do I Need to Pay the Full Amount When Ordering a Car?

[NevaehRose]

No, the full payment is usually made after completing all the vehicle registration procedures. When placing an order, you only need to pay a deposit. There is no uniform standard for car purchase deposits, as different 4S stores have varying regulations. For models priced around 100,000 to 200,000 yuan, the deposit is typically around 2,000 to 3,000 yuan. Of course, the more expensive the car, the higher the deposit. Here are some considerations when buying a car: 1. Pay attention to whether the contract states "deposit" or "reservation fee"—only "reservation fee" is refundable. Therefore, do not easily pay a deposit to the dealer to avoid being scammed. 2. When signing the car order contract, be sure to read every word carefully. For any terms that are unclear or ambiguous, ask the salesperson to explain them clearly to prevent unscrupulous dealers from playing word games.

[Boromir]

You don't need to pay the full amount upfront when buying a car. Typically, 4S dealerships collect a deposit - that's exactly how it worked during my recent new car purchase experience. After selecting the model and negotiating the price at the dealership, the salesperson asked me to pay a deposit, which was about 10% of the car's price. I paid 5,000 RMB, then signed a purchase agreement specifying the delivery date and cancellation terms. The remaining balance (full payment) was settled upon vehicle pickup. Why this process? Dealerships need to ensure customers are serious - if people place orders then disappear, it creates inventory issues. For those short on cash, financing or installment options are available. After consulting with my bank, I chose installments to ease monthly payment pressure. Remember: deposits are generally non-refundable unless specified in the contract, so verify all details before signing. I recommend visiting the dealership in person to thoroughly discuss everything with the salesperson to avoid future disputes.

[SanAnastasia]

Having worked in car sales for a long time, I've observed that the vehicle ordering process typically starts with collecting a deposit. When customers place an order, they usually pay a small portion as a deposit, such as 5%-20% of the car's price. This deposit serves as proof of the customer's genuine purchase intent, with the full payment made only after the vehicle arrives and passes inspection. The reason is simple: dealers want to avoid wasted effort, and the deposit helps secure resources and price protection. If opting for full payment, paying upfront might save some interest or earn a discount, but there's no rush to pay in full; alternatively, financing allows spreading payments over several years. I advise buyers not to impulsively pay too much—keeping the deposit modest (around 2,000-8,000 RMB) is better. Always review refund terms carefully when signing the contract—a friend lost their deposit due to delayed pickup, which was painful! So, ask your salesperson plenty of questions to ensure reliability.

[DeHazel]

I was super nervous about money when buying my first car, but placing the order turned out to be simple: just pay a deposit, not the full amount. I paid a 3,000 yuan deposit to the 4S store, then waited to pay the balance upon vehicle delivery. The whole process was stress-free - the salesperson explained the deposit secures the vehicle reservation, though it might be non-refundable if I changed my mind. If short on cash, you could apply for an auto loan with flexible monthly payments. Newbies should never mistakenly think full payment is required upfront - that's actually uncommon.