Does the car owner need to be present when purchasing a car?
2 Answers
It is not mandatory for the car owner to be present during the purchase, but the person acting on their behalf must have the original ID card of the owner. Some consumers may be too busy to attend the purchase in person, in which case they can entrust a trusted individual to buy the car on their behalf. When appointing someone to purchase a car on your behalf, certain documents are required. The necessary materials for car registration by proxy are as follows: Material 1: Vehicle qualification certificate; Material 2: Invoice from the car purchase; Material 4: Compulsory traffic insurance certificate for the motor vehicle; Material 5: Vehicle purchase tax certificate; Material 6: ID cards of the car owner and the proxy, etc.
As a seasoned driver who frequently changes cars, it's best to personally visit when buying a car. Identity verification is crucial when signing contracts and transfer documents to prevent potential impersonation issues later on. For new cars, dealers usually require you to be present for vehicle inspection and signing, especially for loan applications which must bear your original signature. This is even more important for used car transactions, as the DMV transfer process often requires the owner to be present with their ID for verification. However, if you truly can't make it, you can appoint an agent—like the time I was on a business trip, I had a family member handle it with a notarized power of attorney, though that involves extra cost and effort. Additionally, personally test-driving to feel the seat comfort and handling can be helpful in choosing a car. Paying on-site with a card is more convenient. In short, being present in person is the safest approach, ensuring transparency and security at every step to avoid potential disputes.
