Does transferring ownership without relocating the vehicle file have any impact?
3 Answers
When transferring the ownership of a motor vehicle, it is necessary to relocate the vehicle file. If the file is not relocated, any future issues with the vehicle will need to be handled by the vehicle management office in the original location. Necessity of ownership transfer: Completing the transfer of ownership for a used vehicle legally finalizes the change of ownership, ensuring the legality of the vehicle's origin, such as avoiding purchasing smuggled or stolen vehicles. It also clarifies the division of responsibilities between the buyer and seller regarding the vehicle, including debt disputes and traffic violations, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of both parties. Conditions for ownership transfer: The vehicle must have a legal origin and complete documentation, no outstanding bank liens or court seizure records, no unresolved traffic violations or accident records, no outstanding fee records, and all required documents must be complete.
When I first bought a car, I also considered just doing the transfer without handling the file transfer, thinking it would be simpler. But later I realized there are many potential issues. If it's just a local transaction, skipping the file transfer might barely work, but if you ever need to use the car in another location, it could become a headache. The files being locked at the original DMV might cause problems with registration and annual inspections, and unclear vehicle history could affect insurance claims. I’m also worried the previous owner might misuse the car, like leaving fines or fees unpaid and putting the blame on you. I believe a car is a fixed asset, and completing all the paperwork properly gives peace of mind—don’t cut corners for temporary convenience. When chatting with friends, they all recommend handling both the transfer and file transfer together to avoid extra hassle later.
Having worked in auto repair for over 20 years, I've seen many cases where transferring ownership without updating the vehicle records leads to numerous hidden risks. The biggest legal hazard is incomplete documentation violating traffic regulations—DMV will outright reject your annual inspection. If the original owner has debt or accident records, you'll be stuck holding the bag. Resale value plummets too. Forget about relocating—new jurisdictions will block your license plate. I always emphasize to car owners during repairs: don't penny-pinch at the risk of major loss. The transfer fee is just a few hundred bucks, but legal fees could cost a fortune if things go wrong. A complete ownership transfer protects you thoroughly.
