Is It Safe to Buy a Vehicle with a Nominal Owner?

[LeThomas]

Purchasing a vehicle with a nominal owner is not safe, as the registered name of the vehicle and the actual user are not the same person, and it is not legally recognized or protected. Below are specific details about buying such vehicles: Can undergo normal inspections: Generally, the issue with these vehicles is only related to the registration name. The vehicle itself has no problems, and all documentation and insurance are complete, allowing for normal annual inspections. Risks: If any issues arise with the vehicle, the registered owner will be held accountable. For example, if the user is involved in a traffic accident or uses the vehicle for illegal activities, the seller cannot escape responsibility. Additionally, if the seller passes away, the actual owner may struggle to maintain ownership of the vehicle.

[AndrewLee]

As a friend working in the legal profession, I must remind you that the risks of buying a 'beihu' car (a car registered under someone else's name) are quite significant. The vehicle is still nominally owned by someone else, and if the original owner incurs debts, the court can directly seize the car. Even if you sign an agreement, it can be a hassle to fight it out in court. I once handled a similar case where a buyer spent over a hundred thousand on a used car, only for it to be impounded because the original owner had gambling debts. Insurance claims are even more troublesome, as the compensation must go through the original owner's account. Most importantly, there's policy risk—big cities change their license plate policies frequently, and there's no telling when a policy tightening might leave you stuck with the car. Unless you absolutely can't get a license plate, I'd advise against touching 'beihu' cars.

[MacAlyssa]

My relative bought a title-held car just to save money, but it's been nothing but trouble. Last year during the annual inspection, they demanded the original owner's ID card, and it took half a month to track the person down. This year's insurance renewal was even more ridiculous - the insurer said the registered owner didn't match the policyholder, causing a lengthy dispute. The most infuriating part was last month when trying to sell the car - the original owner demanded 5,000 yuan just to help with the title transfer. In my opinion, title-held cars are like renting - the landlord can change their mind anytime. What's more, in the used car market, title-held vehicles are particularly prone to odometer rollbacks or being accident cars, since the registration information can't be fully verified. What seems like saving 3,000-5,000 yuan upfront ends up costing 30,000 yuan in hassles later.

[Jay]

Been in the transport business for ten years, and I advise against buying a 'beihu' car (registered under someone else's name). Once, while delivering goods out of town, I was stopped by traffic police for a document check. When they saw the name on the vehicle registration didn't match mine, the car was impounded for half a month. During the inspection, the original owner was abroad, and it took a month for him to mail his ID card. The biggest headache is maintenance—the 4S shop systems only recognize the registered owner, so every visit is a hassle. A friend bought a 'beihu' car last year, and recently the original owner went missing, rendering the license plate invalid. Now, with electronic vehicle registrations being rolled out everywhere, the issues with 'beihu' cars can't be hidden anymore. If you really want to buy a car, it's more reliable to spend a bit more for a regional license plate.

[Diana]

I've been following license plate policies for seven or eight years, and 'beihu' cars (vehicles registered under others' names) simply can't withstand policy changes. Last year, Shenzhen suddenly switched to the China VI emission standard, rendering a bunch of beihu cars directly scrapped. Nowadays, new energy vehicles all require App binding, and if the owner information doesn't match, activation is impossible. Rumor has it that a unified vehicle management platform will be launched next year, and historical issues like beihu cars will definitely face strict rectification. Plus, inspection regulations are getting increasingly stringent—if a vehicle fails emissions tests, there's no one to handle it. Spending tens of thousands on a car that might turn into scrap metal next year just isn't worth it. If you really want to buy, consider the license plate lottery or renting a plate instead. Though more expensive, it offers peace of mind.