How long does it take to pick up the car after ordering?
3 Answers
After completing the car purchase procedures, under normal circumstances, you can pick up the car within a month. For some popular models or customized imported cars, the pickup time may take up to half a year. The waiting period varies depending on the car model and the dealer. Generally, when purchasing a car, there is a delivery contract period signed with the dealer, which ensures that you can pick up the car by the specified date. If the 4S store fails to deliver the car after this period, you can demand compensation for the breach of contract. Things to note when picking up the car: 1. Vehicle documents: When picking up the car, check all relevant documents, including the purchase invoice, certificate of conformity, vehicle consistency certificate, vehicle registration certificate, warranty certificate, vehicle user manual, and new car delivery confirmation form. 2. 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 functionality of the car, such as lights, windows, rearview mirrors, dashboard, air conditioning, etc.
When I ordered a car last time, the salesperson directly mentioned that it depends on the model. Popular models generally require a wait of 1-3 months, and my new energy vehicle took a full 8 weeks. The manufacturer needs to schedule production, and if it's a limited edition or special configuration, it might take even longer. If the dealer has a car in stock, you can drive it away in as fast as three days, but the configurations of available cars often don't meet expectations. The payment method also affects the process; full payment is 3-5 days faster than financing. It's advisable to have the salesperson specify the latest delivery date in the contract when ordering, so you have a clear expectation. During the waiting period, you can check the progress every two weeks—usually, they can track whether the car is on the production line or in transit. Avoid ordering during peak seasons, especially before the Spring Festival when logistics are the slowest.
The delivery timeline is really unpredictable. A few years ago when I bought a gasoline car, I only waited two weeks. Last year when I switched to a plug-in hybrid, I had to wait a full four months. Currently, mainstream brands generally fall into three scenarios: if there's sufficient inventory, you can drive off the same day after payment; for regular orders, waiting 4-8 weeks is normal; imported vehicles or special color options might take up to six months. I recommend checking inventory at multiple dealerships before placing an order - sometimes less popular color schemes actually have immediate availability. After payment, remember to push your salesperson to conduct a pre-delivery inspection, which can save you two days. If you're in urgent need, consider transferring inventory from dealers in nearby cities - though it costs extra for transportation, it's significantly faster. The worst-case scenario is encountering manufacturer production line adjustments - a friend of mine had this unfortunate experience.
