What Are the Risks of a Car That Hasn't Been Transferred?

[OSpencer]

Risks of a car that hasn't been transferred for both sellers and buyers: 1. For sellers: If the car is not transferred, any subsequent traffic violations will be recorded under the original owner's name. More seriously, in cases of hit-and-run incidents, the vehicle cannot be deregistered or have violations processed, which becomes a hassle for future car purchases and registrations. 2. For buyers: For buyers, failing to transfer the car means they cannot prove the vehicle is their private property. Later procedures such as annual inspections and insurance claims will require the involvement of the original owner. Additionally, according to traffic laws, the current owner of the vehicle must apply for a transfer registration at the local vehicle management office within 30 days from the date of delivery, meaning used car transactions must be transferred.

[VonBrooke]

As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I've seen many friends drive away with cars that haven't been transferred, only to end up in big trouble. The biggest risk lies in the legal aspect. Since the car is still registered under the original owner's name, if an accident or violation occurs, the police will come after you, and the original owner could also be implicated. The ownership issue is even more significant. With the car not in your name, selling it or using it as collateral is impossible, and if the original owner changes their mind, you could lose everything. I remember helping someone deal with a situation where an accident occurred with an untransferred car, and the insurance company refused to cover the claim, citing mismatched registration information. They had to pay thousands out of pocket for repairs. Using such a car long-term is nerve-wracking, wastes time, and could lead to even greater financial losses. My advice is to transfer ownership immediately after buying a car. Don't skimp on this small step to avoid major disputes and significant financial losses.

[EdenMarie]

I usually drive my family around and place great emphasis on safety and insurance. The biggest risk of driving a car that hasn't been transferred is the insurance claim. After investigation, the insurance company may refuse to compensate for accident damages, leaving you to pay for repairs out of pocket. Last time, when I helped a relative test drive a car, a minor scratch was reported to the insurance, but the claim was denied because the owner's name didn't match, wasting money for nothing. Even scarier is that in the event of a major accident, the original owner might be sued, and you could be held jointly liable, putting you at risk. Daily hassles like traffic tickets or annual inspections all require the original owner's involvement, leading to endless troubles. I believe this affects family stability; even renewing insurance becomes difficult, and I worry about my child's safety in the car. For peace of mind, don't delay transferring the car title. Hiring a broker to help can get it done faster, saving you from future hassles.

[VanAvery]

As a fresh graduate, I saved up to buy a used motorcycle, only to nearly get scammed by skipping the ownership transfer. The financial risks were evident—no one dared to take it when I tried to resell, and the price was driven painfully low, resulting in heavy losses. With unclear ownership, modifications couldn’t be factored into the value, leading to endless haggling during transactions. Daily hassles piled up, like handling tickets or parking registrations, all requiring coordination with the original owner—time-consuming and exhausting. I’ve seen a friend’s bike stuck in inspection limbo for a week because the previous owner went AWOL. The real kicker? Depreciation hits hard, and risks slash its value further. My advice to fellow riders: don’t cut corners—transfer ownership properly. Don’t let a momentary lapse turn a few grand into a costly lesson.