What does it mean when the car arrives at the 4S store but the vehicle certificate is not available?
4 Answers
4S store car arrives but the vehicle certificate is not available is a typical case where the after-sales department has mortgaged the certificate at the bank. Below are specific explanations regarding the vehicle certificate: Meaning: The vehicle certificate is another important document for a car and is essential for vehicle registration. Only cars with a vehicle certificate meet the national requirements for motor vehicle equipment quality and related standards. Regulations: After a vehicle is sold, the consumer pays, and the dealer delivers the car, forming a factual sales contract between both parties. If the dealer delivers the vehicle but not the vehicle certificate, preventing the consumer from registering the vehicle or obtaining insurance, it constitutes an incomplete fulfillment of the contract.
Last time I bought a car, I ran into this exact issue. The car had already arrived at the 4S dealership, but the salesperson said the vehicle certification would take a few more days. When I asked why, they explained that the dealership had used the new cars as collateral with the bank for financing, and I needed to pay the full amount first before they could retrieve the certification for me. That period was really stressful—the temporary license plate was only valid for two weeks, and if it expired, I could get pulled over, and even the insurance would be affected. It took four days before I finally got the certification and could register the car. Now, I always remind my friends to make sure the contract specifies a clear deadline for the delivery of the vehicle certification when buying a car—don’t just focus on haggling over the price. It’s also better to choose a reputable dealership to avoid such hassles. I’ve heard some smaller shops intentionally delay or even forge documents, so staying cautious is always wise.
This phenomenon is quite common at 4S dealerships. Generally, newly arrived vehicles come with certificates of conformity, but sometimes dealerships pledge them to banks for loans to expedite inventory replenishment. The certificate is only redeemed and given to you after payment. This may result in your vehicle arriving while the certificate gets delayed for a few days due to slow logistics or bank procedures. Without the certificate, license plate registration becomes impossible, and temporary plates are unreliable—accident claims could be problematic. We recommend persistently following up with sales or directly speaking with the manager, as they usually prioritize such cases. Checking the dealership's reputation before purchase and avoiding financially strained outlets can save you a lot of trouble.
The car has arrived at the 4S store but the certificate of conformity hasn't, mostly due to mortgage financing. The dealership uses new cars for loans to cover cash flow, then redeems the documents after customers pay. If the bank processes slowly or document delivery is delayed, it can take a few extra days. This is unfortunate for the car owner because without the certificate, they can't register the car, and driving temporarily also carries risks. Urge the dealership to resolve the issue quickly; don't just wait.
