What does a company-owned vehicle mean, and is it advisable to buy one?
2 Answers
Company-owned vehicles refer to those registered under the name of a company or enterprise. Whether to purchase one depends on individual needs. Advantages of second-hand company-owned vehicles: The most obvious benefit is their lower price. Additionally, these vehicles are typically serviced and maintained at 4S shops, with complete maintenance records available. Disadvantages of second-hand company-owned vehicles: For buyers, the ownership remains under the company's name, which can lead to disputes later. For instance, if authorities pursue the seller's assets, the vehicle may still be subject to seizure. For sellers, if sold vehicles become involved in debt disputes and the ownership transfer is not completed promptly, sellers might still bear certain liabilities, which could outweigh the benefits.
Speaking of company-registered vehicles, I recently encountered one while helping a friend look for a car. Simply put, these are vehicles registered under a company's name, not an individual's. The most common types are decommissioned company cars or vehicles from rental companies. They are indeed much cheaper than private used cars, which seems like a great deal, right? But you must keep your eyes wide open and thoroughly check all the paperwork when buying one! Especially, you need to verify if the vehicle has ever been mortgaged, and ensure the company's business license and official seal are all in order. Once, I almost got into trouble—luckily, I found out the original company had already been dissolved. If issues had arisen mid-transfer, there would have been no one to turn to. Oh, and I’ve also heard that many company-registered cars have incomplete maintenance records, and odometer tampering is common. So, it’s best to bring a car-savvy friend to inspect the vehicle carefully.