How Long Does It Take from Ordering to Picking Up a Car?
3 Answers
If the 4S store has inventory, you can drive away immediately. For domestic cars, the longest wait is half a month. For imported cars without inventory, it takes at least three months. Regarding the vehicle's various documents: Purchase invoice, certificate of conformity, vehicle conformity certificate, motor vehicle registration certificate, warranty certificate, vehicle user manual, and new car delivery confirmation form. If the 4S store is responsible for license plate registration and insurance, you will also need to obtain from the salesperson the original insurance policy, insurance invoice, compulsory traffic insurance invoice, vehicle and vessel tax invoice, purchase tax invoice, tax payment certificate, and compulsory traffic insurance label. Vehicle inspection: For the exterior, check the paint, production date of the window glass, tires, trunk, and engine. For the interior, focus on checking the car's functions, such as lights, wipers, windows, rearview mirrors, dashboard, air conditioning, audio system, etc.
Last time I ordered a car until the delivery, the whole process took me a full 6 weeks, which was quite a long wait. I chose a popular SUV, and the salesperson said there was insufficient inventory, so it had to be produced at an overseas factory and shipped over. The first step was signing the contract and paying the deposit, then waiting for production status updates took two weeks, followed by a three-week transportation phase, during which I checked the progress on the app every day. The final week was for local inspection and delivery, and I picked up the car on the weekend. If the car is in stock, it can be done in a day or two, but for custom models or new releases, waiting over a month is quite common. It's advisable to ask the dealer about inventory status when ordering, especially during peak seasons like the end of the year when demand is high, which might cause further delays. Remember to check documents and insurance in advance to avoid any delays in picking up the car.
The time from ordering to picking up a car usually depends on the model and inventory. Generally, ready-made cars take only one or two days, but for moderately popular models, expect 2-4 weeks, as I recently helped a friend with. Key factors include production date: domestically made cars are faster, taking about two weeks, while imported or customized models take longer—last month, a luxury car took a month and a half. Additionally, the supply chain plays a big role, with slower logistics during holidays like Chinese New Year. It's advisable to sign an agreement specifying the expected timeframe when ordering and to pay in full early to speed up the process. Monitor key milestones to avoid missing the pickup date.
