What Are the Consequences of Not Transferring Vehicle Ownership?
1 Answers
Not transferring vehicle ownership affects both the buyer and the seller to a certain extent and poses potential risks for future vehicle usage. For the seller, traffic violations committed by the vehicle will still be registered under the original owner. More seriously, in cases of hit-and-run incidents, the vehicle cannot be deregistered, and traffic violations cannot be processed, which may impact future vehicle purchases and registrations. For the buyer, failing to transfer ownership means the vehicle cannot be legally recognized as the buyer's private property. Procedures such as annual inspections and insurance claims will require involvement from the original owner. Additionally, according to traffic laws, the new owner must apply for a transfer of registration at the local vehicle management office within 30 days of the vehicle's delivery—meaning used car transactions must include ownership transfer. Vehicle registration primarily records the owner's name, address, and relevant vehicle parameters. Transferring ownership proves that the vehicle has no unresolved violations or accidents. Therefore, vehicles that are not transferred often have underlying issues, such as involvement in accidents, lack of annual inspections, being stolen, or being smuggled, and cannot undergo normal transfer procedures. Vehicle ownership transfer refers to changing the registered owner's name. Completing the transfer legally finalizes the change of ownership, ensuring the vehicle's legitimate origin (e.g., avoiding smuggled or stolen vehicles). It also clarifies the responsibilities between the buyer and seller regarding the vehicle, such as debt disputes or traffic violations, protecting the legal rights of both parties.
