Do 4S dealers fill up the tank when buying a new car?
2 Answers
When a new car leaves the factory, 4S dealers typically add fuel at a rate of 2~3 liters per 100 km fuel consumption. Here are some precautions for picking up a new car: 1. First, inspect the vehicle's exterior. 2. Check the interior. 3. Examine the brake and accelerator pedals. 4. Inspect the engine oil and battery: If the engine oil color is too dark, it indicates a 70% chance of issues with the car, then check for any signs of rust or corrosion on various connectors. 5. Check the vehicle's production date, tire production date, and glass production date: Most vehicles have their production nameplate located on the door frame of the passenger side, and the production dates of the tires and glass must be earlier than the vehicle's production date. Verify if the production date exceeds six months; if it does, the car is considered inventory stock.
As a veteran car owner with over a decade of experience in the automotive circle, I can tell you that 4S dealerships rarely fill up the tank when delivering new cars. The main reason is cost—filling up a car's fuel tank easily costs at least 300 yuan, and with their high delivery volume, this expense adds up quickly. However, don’t worry too much; there’s usually enough fuel left to reach the nearest gas station. If you want to negotiate for it, you can include free fuel as an additional condition during the price discussion phase. I’ve helped friends secure this perk using this method. Nowadays, some premium brands proactively fill up the tank to enhance the service experience, but most mainstream brands require you to request it. On the day of delivery, it’s best to check the fuel gauge—sometimes the low fuel level isn’t due to intentional withholding but rather normal consumption from moving the car around the lot.