What is the reason for not having a car purchase contract?

[EvangelineDella]

Some 4S shops may directly omit providing consumers with a car purchase contract in order to simplify some procedures. If the contract is not provided, consumers need to request it from the 4S shop. The car purchase contract should be in two copies, one for the consumer to keep and one for the 4S shop to retain. Impact of not having a car purchase contract: Buying a car without a contract has consequences. Especially in case of disputes, it is difficult to argue without a car purchase contract. However, 4S shops may require the contract to be returned when the car is picked up, mainly to avoid the disclosure of inconsistencies between the contract price and the ticket price. Since this behavior itself is illegal, car owners can refuse when the 4S shop demands the return of the contract. According to Article 502 of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China, a legally established contract takes effect upon its formation, unless otherwise stipulated by law or agreed by the parties. In accordance with laws and administrative regulations, if a contract requires approval procedures, such procedures shall be followed. Failure to complete approval procedures affects the effectiveness of the contract but does not affect the validity of clauses related to the obligation to perform approval procedures and other relevant clauses. If a party obligated to apply for approval fails to fulfill its duty, the other party may request it to bear the responsibility for violating this obligation. In accordance with laws and administrative regulations, if changes, transfers, or terminations of a contract require approval procedures, the preceding provisions shall apply.

[DeElliot]

Last time I bought a car, I was so focused on choosing the model and haggling over the price. After the test drive, the salesperson signed a draft on the spot and handed over the car. I was in a hurry to drive off and forgot to take a copy of the official contract. Later, I didn’t receive any scanned copies via email or text. The salesperson explained that the system update might have lost the documents. Such oversights often happen to new buyers or excited customers who think verbal agreements and receipts are enough. In reality, missing contracts can be a huge disadvantage when it comes to protecting your rights. If the car has quality issues or registration transfer problems, lacking black-and-white evidence can lead to big trouble. I almost suffered a silent loss that time. My advice to friends buying a car is to insist on getting two copies of the contract on the spot, just in case. Don’t overlook the small details.

[HeidiDella]

A friend of mine buys and sells cars within a private circle, opting for cash transactions and a handshake to keep things simple, without any formal contracts—mainly to avoid taxes or official fees. This practice is common among acquaintances but carries significant risks. For example, discovering vehicle defects or ownership disputes later on can be problematic, as verbal promises are worthless and there's no recourse to official channels, only adding to the headache. Saving a little money might lead to bigger troubles. So even for convenience, it's best to draft a simple written agreement and sign it to protect basic rights—don’t cut corners and dig your own grave.

[AbelAnn]

When buying a used car, many private sellers are eager to offload their vehicles, and buyers are looking for a bargain. It's common to skip the contract and settle with cash. I tried it once—we agreed on a price, I paid in cash, drove the car away, and everything turned out fine. But deep down, I always felt uneasy. If the vehicle's history was hidden or there was an issue with the ownership transfer, there would be no documentation to prove anything, making it impossible to recover any losses. This shortcut approach, which prioritizes speed over formalities, is only suitable for low-risk, small transactions. Never attempt it with high-value vehicle purchases.