Is 100 kilometers on a new car normal at delivery?
3 Answers
It is normal for a new car to display a mileage between 0 and 100 kilometers at delivery. Here are some key points to consider when taking delivery of your new car: 1. Manufacturing date: Cars produced within the last three months are considered new. If the manufacturing date exceeds three months, it may be a stock vehicle. Be cautious of purchasing stock vehicles. 2. Check vehicle documentation: Ensure all necessary documents are complete, including the vehicle certificate, warranty service card, vehicle manual, and other relevant paperwork. 3. Inspect the exterior: Look for any unevenness, scratches, dents, or signs of repainting on the body. Check the windows, doors, engine hood, and trunk lid for any friction or damage. 4. Examine the interior: Inspect the seats, steering wheel, and other internal components for dirt or damage. Smell the interior to check for any excessive odors. 5. Verify the mileage: A new car should not exceed 50 kilometers. It is advisable not to purchase a new car with mileage over 50 kilometers.
I've bought three cars, and each time the mileage at delivery was different. The first one had 30 km, the second 80 km, and the most recent one showed 98 km. At first, I was puzzled, but then the salesperson told me this is completely normal. New cars coming off the assembly line undergo factory testing, running at least 10 km to check performance. Then they're loaded onto transport vehicles, moving from the factory to transit stations, which can add dozens of kilometers. At the dealership, they undergo inspections and are moved around the lot, and salespeople might take customers for test drives, adding a few more kilometers. As long as the mileage doesn't exceed 150 km and there are no signs of use, it's fine. When I took delivery, I made sure to check that the tire hairs were still present, the seat plastic covers were intact, and the engine bay was clean, then I signed without hesitation. Don't stress over the mileage—what matters most is the car's condition.
Although I don't work in the automotive industry, I recently researched this matter thoroughly when helping a friend pick up a new car. The odometer isn't at zero when a new car leaves the factory because there's a dynamic testing phase at the end of the production line where workers drive the vehicle out of the plant to check braking and steering systems. When car carriers can't deliver directly to dealerships, short-distance transfers are required, often adding 30-50 kilometers. Dealerships conduct PDI inspections upon receipt, including road tests that generate additional mileage. Within 100 kilometers is considered normal in the industry - my friend's German car had 115 km at delivery and has been running perfectly for six months. Rather than obsessing over the odometer, it's wiser to thoroughly inspect the body for scratches, check fluid levels, and verify all included tools are present.
