What does it mean when a new car doesn't have a certificate of conformity?
3 Answers
If a new car doesn't have a certificate of conformity, it's highly likely that the vehicle is an illegal or unverified car. There are several major risks associated with not having a certificate of conformity: 1. Unable to register the vehicle: Without the certificate, you won't be able to register the car in time. Driving an unregistered vehicle on the road can cause a lot of trouble, and your beloved car might end up as nothing more than an expensive ornament at home—an unregistered black-market vehicle that you dare not drive. 2. No insurance claims: The certificate of conformity is an essential document that comes with the vehicle, and manufacturers would never withhold it. If the 4S shop delays redeeming the document indefinitely, the owner may not receive the certificate after taking delivery of the car, making vehicle registration impossible. This leaves no guarantee for registration, driving, insurance, or accident compensation, posing a significant consumer risk. It's important to note that in such cases, the vehicle is not covered by insurance, and theft insurance without a license plate is invalid. 3. Major driving hazards: An overly discounted price might indicate that the dealer has financial issues. Taking the risk to purchase such a car comes with numerous dangers. If an accident occurs with an expired temporary license plate, the police may rule that driving without a license plate for an extended period constitutes illegal road use, making the driver fully liable for the accident. 4. Bank repossession of mortgaged vehicles: Some 4S shops have large inventories of unsold cars, tying up their capital. To sell cars, they might resort to robbing Peter to pay Paul—using new customers' money to retrieve the certificates of conformity for previous customers, creating a vicious cycle. In the worst-case scenario, the 4S shop may go bankrupt, and the bank will repossess the vehicles mortgaged for loans.
I also encountered the situation where the vehicle certificate wasn't provided after buying a new car. Later I learned that many dealers mortgage these certificates to banks for working capital. It takes a few days for the bank to release the lien after purchase, so you can't get it temporarily. This is quite annoying - without the certificate you can't register the vehicle at the DMV, and driving without it risks traffic police checks and potential fines. Even insurance coverage can't be fully effective. I recommend immediately contacting the dealer who sold you the car to clarify the reason and expected timeline. If they say they're processing the release or reissuing and ask you to wait a few days, get written confirmation. Don't wait too long - if there's no progress after 1-2 weeks, consider filing a consumer complaint. When purchasing, always remind them to prepare all documents upon delivery to avoid hassle. It's disappointing to face this during the new car excitement period, but staying calm will help resolve it.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I've seen many friends encounter the issue of missing vehicle certificates when picking up new cars. In most cases, it's because dealers use the certificates as bank collateral during capital turnover, and banks process them slowly after transactions. A few cases involve document loss during transportation. Without this certificate, the car is basically useless—the licensing system won't recognize it, and if you drive it out and get caught, the fine isn't worth it. Here’s my step-by-step solution: First, check the contract for delivery terms, then go directly to the dealership to pressure the sales manager—don’t waste time with phone calls. Meanwhile, ask them to issue a temporary license plate as a stopgap to buy yourself time. If they delay, immediately call the 12315 hotline to file a complaint and keep evidence. When choosing a car, always opt for reputable dealers to avoid such hassles.