Does Vehicle File Transfer Count as Ownership Transfer?
4 Answers
After the vehicle file transfer is completed, the relationship between the vehicle and the original owner is largely severed, but this does not count as the completion of ownership transfer. The buyer still needs to independently complete the registration procedures for the ownership transfer. Below is additional information: 1. When the domicile of the motor vehicle owner moves out of the jurisdiction of the vehicle management office, the office should annotate the changes in the motor vehicle registration certificate within three days from the date of acceptance. 2. The license plate and vehicle license will be reclaimed, and a temporary license plate valid for 30 days will be issued. The motor vehicle file will be handed over to the owner, who must apply for the vehicle's transfer to the local vehicle management office within the validity period of the temporary license plate.
I'm a newbie who just bought a used car and ran into this issue a few days ago. Filing the transfer doesn't mean the ownership transfer is complete. Filing the transfer is like moving the vehicle's records from the original DMV to a new location, similar to transferring your household registration when you move. But the actual ownership transfer is only finalized when your name is officially registered on the title. When I bought the car, the seller told me filing the transfer was enough, and I believed them. As a result, if there had been an accident a few days after I drove the car home, the police would still have contacted the original owner, and I would have been liable too. I later rushed to the DMV to complete the ownership transfer, and only then did I feel at ease. My advice to all beginners now: after the transaction, prioritize urging the seller to complete the ownership transfer certificate—don't stop at just filing the transfer. The used car market is tricky, so checking the vehicle's records thoroughly is safer.
I've sold three cars, and every buyer asked about this. Vehicle file transfer is definitely not the same as full ownership transfer. File transfer is just moving the records, which is quicker to process, but the key ownership still remains under the original owner's name. The last time I sold a car, after the buyer paid in full and the file transfer was completed, I reminded him to promptly complete the ownership transfer before leaving. Otherwise, there could be a pile of disputes, such as unresolved traffic violations or accident liabilities. In practice, file transfer is just the initial stage of ownership transfer; there must be follow-up documents for the transfer of property rights. Buyers should insist on signing a detailed contract to ensure the ownership transfer is processed within 24 hours after the file transfer. Don't overlook this detail to avoid trouble later.
Having been in the car dealership business for a long time, I've seen too many misconceptions like this. Filing for vehicle records transfer and ownership transfer are two different things. Filing for records transfer is like moving the vehicle's files, while ownership transfer means changing the name to the new owner. If you only file for records transfer without completing the ownership transfer, legally the car still belongs to the original owner. Once, a customer thought everything was fine after filing for records transfer, only to have the original owner drive the car away, making it difficult to recover even with police involvement. The correct process should be: make the payment and file for records transfer first, then go to the DMV to complete the ownership transfer registration. It's advisable for buyers to follow through with this step diligently and not cut corners. During vehicle handover, check the insurance policy to confirm there are no issues with ownership.
