Does Minor Scratches Affect New Car Registration?
4 Answers
Minor scratches have no impact on motor vehicle registration. Documents required for new car registration: Original and photocopy of ID card (if handling for someone else, both your ID and the car owner's ID are required), original and photocopy of invoice, original and photocopy of vehicle qualification certificate, original and photocopy of compulsory insurance copy, and tax payment certificate. Conditions for obtaining temporary license plates for new cars: Temporary plates can be used in three scenarios: when the owner has purchased a vehicle but hasn't officially registered it yet and needs to move the vehicle, when the vehicle needs to be transferred to another location, or when the license plate is stolen or lost during use. Bring the registration application form and external inspection form.
I've driven quite a few new cars, and it's common to get minor scratches right after purchase. Don't worry about it affecting the registration process. The focus during registration inspection is on the vehicle's legality, such as the VIN and emission system—those small scratches usually aren't scrutinized. My previous car had a similar situation; at the DMV, they only checked major issues and overlooked minor damages. However, for the sake of your car, it's best to address it promptly to prevent rainwater from seeping in and causing rust. I recommend getting a touch-up at a small repair shop—it won’t take much time. The key is to prevent it from developing into more serious damage, which could affect resale value due to cosmetic issues later. In short, minor scratches don’t impact the registration process, but regular maintenance should still be kept up.
I've been working at the auto repair shop for seven or eight years, and I've seen many new cars with scratches coming in for license plate registration. Usually, it's not a problem. The inspector's main task is to ensure the vehicle meets safety standards, such as brake lights and tire conditions, and won't get held up for minor surface damage. However, I must remind you that if the scratch is deep enough to expose the metal layer, it should be addressed immediately to prevent rust and corrosion. In most cases, fixing that small spot before registration will save you trouble. I just handled a customer's car where minor scratches were overlooked, and it passed registration without issue. Remember, don't wait until inspection to panic; drive carefully to reduce bumps and scrapes. In short, it doesn't affect registration, but fixing it is both aesthetically pleasing and practical.
I just bought my first brand-new car last year and accidentally scraped it against a wall corner, leaving a few scratches. I was terrified, thinking it might affect the registration process. I asked the 4S store salesperson, and he said minor scratches wouldn’t be a problem—registration focuses on the car’s legal documents and safety system inspection. Later, when I actually went to register, the inspector only checked the VIN code and lighting functions, completely ignoring the exterior. My advice is to not stress too much like I did—just drive it normally for registration if the damage is minor. However, if the scratches are deep enough to feel indentations, you might want to touch them up with a paint pen first to prevent water accumulation and rust. Overall, it doesn’t affect the registration process, so go ahead with confidence.
