What is the difference between transferring and not transferring ownership of a used car?
3 Answers
The functional differences between transferring and not transferring ownership of a used car: 1. For the buyer: If ownership is not transferred, the car does not legally belong to the individual. In minor cases, it may be difficult to recover the vehicle if it is stolen; in severe cases, if there is a traffic accident or the vehicle is inspected by traffic police, it may be identified as an unregistered vehicle, leading not only to confiscation of the car but also to personal investigation. 2. For the seller: If the used car's ownership is not transferred, all road fees and taxes incurred by the vehicle remain the legal responsibility of the individual. If the buyer fails to pay these fees over time, the relevant authorities will enforce collection from the original owner, not the buyer.
I was chatting with a friend, and buying a used car without transferring ownership is like renting a car to drive, but the name remains the previous owner's. This means if you get a traffic ticket or are involved in an accident, the police might trouble the original owner, but the actual responsibility is yours, leading to potential disputes and high risks. On the contrary, after the transfer, the car is legally in your name, insurance is under your name, claims go smoothly, and selling the car becomes easier. The cost isn't high—just some stamp duty collected by the government, a few hundred bucks. I know someone who didn’t transfer the title in time, and when the original owner had debts, the court seized the car directly, costing them tens of thousands. My advice is to always sign a contract and complete the transfer when buying or selling, don’t delay—it’s worry-free and safer, especially for long trips, giving you peace of mind.
I see many people around me taking shortcuts by buying used cars without transferring ownership, only to suffer significant consequences. Without transferring ownership, the car remains under someone else's name, causing endless troubles for you. For example, renewing insurance requires the original owner's help, traffic violation fines are recorded under their name, potentially souring relationships; a minor accident is even worse, as unclear liability can lead to lawsuits. Transferring ownership means putting the car under your name, legally securing ownership immediately, making transactions convenient and quick. The transfer fee is around a thousand bucks, but it avoids long-term risks. I just want to remind beginners: cars, like houses, need ownership transfer—don't lose big for small gains. Used cars aren't cheap, and transferring ownership is an investment in protection, worth insisting on.
