What is the Meaning of a Beihu Car?
2 Answers
Beihu car refers to a vehicle that cannot be transferred to a new owner. A Beihu car is completely normal in terms of its condition, with all possible documentation complete, and its annual inspection and insurance up to date, but it simply cannot be transferred. The main reasons why a vehicle is not transferred after a transaction are as follows: 1. The license plate's registered location is too far away, making the transfer cost too high; 2. Debt-settled vehicles, where the car may have been used to settle debts multiple times without clear records; 3. The owner has passed away, and the vehicle has not been deregistered; 4. In areas with purchase restrictions, the license plate and car are transferred together; 5. Out-of-town vehicles cannot be registered locally due to migration restrictions; 6. Some scammers may also sell commercial vehicles converted to non-commercial use as Beihu cars at low prices.
A 'beihu' car is a vehicle that you purchase and drive yourself but is registered under someone else's name. I've seen this practice in real life—for example, in big cities with purchase restrictions, many people who can't get a license plate will register the car under a relative or friend's name. While it may seem convenient at first, the risks are huge. If the nominal owner runs into trouble, such as debt or a change of heart, the car could be seized or sold, and your investment would be lost. A colleague of mine suffered this exact loss—after driving the car for two years, the nominal owner went through a divorce, and the car was impounded by the court, costing him over 100,000 yuan. My advice is to always register the car under your real name when buying one. Don’t cut corners for temporary convenience, or you’ll face endless disputes. Safety and ownership protection should always come first.
