How long does it take to get the car after the VIN is issued?
3 Answers
You can usually pick up the car one month after the VIN is issued. Below are specific precautions for vehicle inspection upon pickup: Inspect the body: Visually check the paint surface for scratches and wear. Observe the paint under ample sunlight to detect any color discrepancies. Open the doors and adjust them to various angles to examine the sheet metal for smoothness under different lighting conditions. Check the doors: Open the doors to ensure they operate smoothly, and verify that the gaps between doors and the front/rear bumpers are consistent. Inspect the engine: Open the hood to check for cleanliness in the engine compartment. If the vehicle has been stored for an extended period or used, some areas may show noticeable dust or stains. Examine the glass: Verify whether the windshield is original. Check the vehicle's nameplate: Located on the driver's side door or inside the engine compartment, pay attention to the manufacturing date to ensure it's not too old. If it exceeds six months, the car might be a stock vehicle or a test-drive model.
In my experience of car viewing and purchasing, the emergence of the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) indicates that the vehicle has basically completed production. The actual time to pick up the car varies from person to person, but generally speaking, it can be as fast as a few days or as slow as one to two months. If you ordered a popular model with sufficient inventory, it might take only a week from the generation of the VIN to the car being transported to the 4S store. However, if you opted for custom options such as special colors or configurations, the manufacturer will need more time to process the custom order—two to three weeks is common. Additionally, factory testing and quality inspection must pass to ensure safety performance, and this step can sometimes delay the process by a few days. The transportation method is also crucial: if the car is domestically produced, nearby transportation is faster; for imported cars, sea and land transport might extend the time to over four weeks. It’s recommended to directly contact the dealer, as they can track the vehicle status in real time and keep you informed.
Last time I bought a car, I started counting the days as soon as the VIN was assigned. Normally, it takes an average of two to six weeks from the production point to delivery, depending on logistics distance. For example, living in the city with a nearby dealership, truck transport can get it done in just a few days if things go smoothly. But if the car is shipped from another region, delays of up to a week are common due to highway congestion or bad weather. The shipping method also plays a big role: sea freight is slow, air freight is rarely used due to high costs, and land transport is the most common. Seasonal factors matter too—like in summer, logistics companies might slow down shipments to prevent tire blowouts from extreme heat. After the dealer receives the car, they still need to inspect and prep it, ensuring everything is perfect before notifying you for pickup, which usually takes a day or two. Overall, just be patient—there’s no need to stress too much, since safe arrival is what matters most.
