9 Things to Check Before Taking a New Car Delivery

Buying a new car isn't as simple as walking into a dealership lot and picking your favorite ride off the shelf. The process begins with scouting through catalogs of vehicles and understanding each car's specifications and pricing before you can decide on one. After that, you need to arrange financing, register the car, and do much more.

However, the pre-delivery inspection is the most important thing to do before car registration. There are lots of things to check before delivering a new car. Are you looking to buy a new car? Here are nine essential things to check before you drive home your new car out of the dealership lot.

Car's exteriors

Sometimes, a car can be damaged while being shipped from its manufacturer's facility to a dealership lot. Therefore, before you buy a new car, take a walk around it to check for dents or scratches, paying close attention to the bumpers and either side of the vehicle. In addition, check for any deformity in color across car body panels.

While minor issues can be fixed on the spot, don't take delivery if you find serious problems with the car, like major damage to the body panels. However, this should be done before the vehicle is registered under your name. There is nothing much you can do about it after car registration.

Tires

It's also imperative to check the car's tires. Examine all four tires and ensure that they are the same size. Check the tires' manufacturing date to ensure the wheels aren't older than the car. A hardened rubber amalgam in old tires could lower road traction and make your tires wear out faster than they should.

Check the spare tire as well and ensure it is correctly inflated. In addition, examine the toolkit to ensure it has all the necessary tools.

Car's interior

It's crucial to do an interior or internal inspection of the car. Carefully inspect the car's carpeting, console, seats, glovebox, and roof liners. Check the door panels and dashboard, too. Everything should feel tight, and there should be no scratches unless the vehicle is used. Remove the floor mats to see whether there is any wetness in the car's carpet.

While this might seem basic, start the car and ensure that the AC is working properly. This is the best time to play with the infotainment system and grasp how to access and use the key functions.

Electrical equipment

Turn on the vehicle and ensure that the electrical components are in good condition and are working perfectly. Many times, a car that has been parked in an open stockyard for several months could suffer damage to the wiring from rodents. Therefore, it's essential to check all the electrical equipment, including indicators, headlights, tail lights, power windows, wipers, fog lamps, horns, and more.

Furthermore, check to ensure the battery is not too old and ask the salesperson for a copy of its warranty card. The battery should also be free of corrosion.

Window film

Most new cars come with free window film. However, why should you check this? If you paid more for a higher grade of window film, you need to ensure the dealer has installed it. Generally, higher-grade window tint should be darker. If it appears too translucent, ask the dealership to double-check.

Auto dealers often outsource window film installation to a third-party company, so they might need time to reconfirm. However, since you paid for it, it's worth the inconvenience.

Engine

Open the hood and check for signs of fluid leakage or a cracked engine cover. Ensure the fluids, including engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, and windscreen cleaning fluid, are at the correct level. The engine bay should also be free of dust and debris.

Start the engine, run it idle, and check for oil spillage and knocking sounds. Also, look out for damaged plastic parts, tangled wires, and any signs of rodent bites.

Take a test drive

Take the vehicle for a test drive before you sign all the paperwork. A short test drive can help you identify minor issues early.

While most new vehicles are ready to drive, factory defects aren't rare. The best thing about finding a mechanical defect during a test drive is that it will be covered under the car's factory warranty.

• Check acceleration and braking. There should be no jerk while accelerating or any unusual sound while applying the brake.
• Ensure that the accelerator, clutch pedal, and brakes are working correctly.
• Check whether the car drives in a straight line when you release the steering wheel. If it does not, the wheel alignment needs to be corrected.
• Ensure the gearbox is smooth and the gear lever works properly.
• Check whether there is an unusual sound from the car suspension or chassis. Sometimes, a car remains parked on an even surface for several months. Because of this, the suspension may lose its alignment.

Make sure you take the executive with you for the test drive, as they can explain the vital features and their usage.

Ensure the correct options are present

As a first-time car buyer, seeing your vehicle for the first time can be amusing and overwhelming. This is why it's essential to check and see if the items you optioned are there.

Most dealers will take you through the options list as part of the car delivery process. This is when you should halt oohing and aahing for a moment and pay close attention. Whether you specified larger rims of a different design or adjustable dampers and sport suspension, this is the time to ensure all these items are there and accounted for.

Documentation

Documents are the most important thing when making any big purchase. Look through all the insurance papers, payment receipts, and other documents, such as Form 22, which shows your car's engine and chassis number, along with the month and year of manufacture. Furthermore, ensure that your vehicle's engine and chassis number match those written on the official document.

Take the car owner's manual, warranty papers, duplicate keys, and roadside assistance contact details. In addition, consider purchasing a comprehensive auto insurance policy with a minimum of one year of coverage and nil depreciation coverage to get the best value for your hard-earned money.

What to do if the car fails your inspection

It's best to avoid taking the car home until you and the dealer have resolved the issue. The dealership might be unable to address your concern immediately, which is where the We Owe form, also known as the due bill, comes in. This document satisfies its name by providing a list of items and services the dealer still needs to offer the new car owner.

A dealer might also choose to include any repairs they will carry out, but they might not include warranty work. The manufacturer will generally cover these repairs under separate warranty terms.

Wrapping it up

Driving a brand-new car out of the showroom is a great moment filled with joy and excitement. However, taking delivery of your first car is completely different from receiving an appliance or a piece of furniture from an online store.

Therefore, never be in a hurry while delivering your new vehicle. Instead, be patient and inspect every part of the car. That way, you can ensure that your new ride is in perfect condition without any defects.