Does Used Car Transfer Require Payment?

[DelaneyAnn]

Used car transfer does not require a service fee, but it does require payment of a used car transaction tax, typically calculated at 1%-3% of the vehicle's price. When processing the transfer of a used vehicle, both the buyer and the seller need to jointly complete the relevant procedures, and both parties must provide their original ID cards and copies. The original owner needs to provide the vehicle's annual inspection records, personal ID card, vehicle registration certificate, vehicle driving license, and the original purchase invoice. If the seller is an organization such as a company, the used car transaction tax will increase to 3%, and the organization must also provide its original business license code certificate and official seal. If the buyer is an organization, they must similarly provide the original business license code certificate and official seal. Vehicles, like people, need their own "household registration." Each registration is tied to the driver, so the transfer process essentially involves changing the vehicle's "household registration." During this process, the vehicle must be in a normal condition—stolen vehicles, mortgaged vehicles, smuggled vehicles, or those that have not passed annual inspections cannot be transferred.

[VanAndres]

Buying a used car definitely costs money for the transfer process. Last year, I helped friends handle it three times, and each time it cost around 500-600 yuan. The basic fees include the 120 yuan name change fee charged by the DMV, which is unavoidable, plus vehicle tracing and photography fees—these vary by location. The most crucial part is actually the taxes; the buyer has to pay a purchase tax of 1%-3% of the car's value. I've seen people get stuck at the transfer window because they thought personal transactions were tax-free. If you want to avoid the hassle and hire an agent, scalpers will charge at least an extra 200-300 yuan in service fees. Also, beware of hidden charges, like mandatory fees for license plate frames or temporary plates at some DMVs, which can easily add over 100 yuan in extra costs.

[LeahDella]

Vehicle transfer does incur costs. When I bought a car from a private seller, I spent the least - only 80 yuan for the vehicle identification number rubbing fee, 10 yuan for the certificate production fee, and 50 yuan for license plate shipping. However, purchasing from dealers is more expensive. Besides the 2.5% VAT charged by the state, they often bundle agency fees into the car price. I recommend clarifying whether transfer fees are included upfront. A colleague of mine got burned - the contract said 'all-inclusive' but they ended up charging an inspection fee. The most easily overlooked cost is unpaid vehicle and vessel tax by the previous owner. Back payments are calculated by year - I once helped someone settle two years' arrears totaling 480 yuan.

[SanBrady]

Yes, fees are definitely required! Last year when I accompanied my cousin to buy a used car, the administrative fee alone was 120 yuan, and an additional 60 yuan was charged for the vehicle management office's number tracing and photo service. The most frustrating part was the insurance transfer—although not mandatory, the original owner hadn't handled the compulsory insurance, so the counter insisted we complete the procedure. It's advisable to check the vehicle's status before transferring ownership. I've seen cases where a mortgaged car required a mortgage release before transfer, costing 800 yuan just for notarization. Cross-city transfers are even more troublesome—if the car doesn't meet the emission standards of the destination city, it can't be transferred at all, and a retest for exhaust emissions costs another 350 yuan.

[AdrianaAnn]

The transfer costs mainly lie in taxes and procedures. When I bought my third car from a dealer, the contract stated that the transfer was included, but at the scene, they demanded a 3% VAT, forcing me to pay an extra 2,100 yuan. Handling it yourself is the most cost-effective, but you have to queue up at the DMV on weekdays—last time, it took me five hours to finish. Some expenses are unavoidable, like the 15 yuan for license plate screws and 10 yuan for the registration certificate. The key is whether the original car's traffic violations have been settled. Last year, my friend helped someone with a transfer, and the previous owner had an unhandled 6-point speeding ticket on the highway—the buyer ended up paying the fine themselves.