Must the car be picked up in person?
2 Answers
It is not necessary for the car to be picked up in person, as there is no specific process for picking up the car, so the 4S store does not require the user to be present when delivering the new car. When entrusting someone else to help pick up the car, you need to give the original copy of your ID card and all the documents required for the purchase to the person handling it. If the vehicle's final payment has not been made, you also need to bring a bank card with sufficient balance. The following are the precautions for picking up the car at a 4S store: Observe the car condition: Park the vehicle in an outdoor area with sufficient light, check the body paint to ensure there are no scratches or wear, whether the paint is even, and whether it appears translucent under sunlight reflection. Open the car door—the car nameplate is located near the driver's side door or B-pillar—and check the relevant information on the nameplate. Open the engine compartment to check if it is clean, free of dirt or dust accumulation, and ensure the engine oil and other fluids are sufficient. Manually check if the doors open and close smoothly, whether the windows roll up and down normally, if there is any strong odor inside the car, if the air conditioning cools, if the windshield wipers work properly, and if the lights turn on normally. Test drive: Start the engine to feel if the idle is stable, if there is noticeable noise inside the car, or if the steering wheel vibrates significantly. Check documents: Ensure all relevant vehicle materials are complete, such as the purchase invoice, certificate of conformity, vehicle conformity certificate, vehicle registration certificate, warranty certificate, vehicle user manual, and new car delivery confirmation form.
Whether you must be present to pick up the car depends on the specific situation. Generally, purchasing a car involves signing contracts, making payments, and inspecting the vehicle. For security reasons, dealers usually require the buyer to be present in person to verify identity and confirm the transaction details, avoiding potential disputes later. However, if you're truly unable to attend due to urgent matters, you can appoint someone to act on your behalf. The appointed person should bring a copy of your ID card and a written power of attorney authorizing them to handle the car pickup, signed by you. The process might be more complicated as the dealer needs to verify the authenticity of the authorization, which could take extra time or incur additional costs. Personally, it's safest to go yourself—you can inspect the car firsthand and minimize risks associated with intermediaries, especially when picking up a new car. Don't cut corners just to save time.
