Is it normal for the gaps on a new car to be asymmetrical?
2 Answers
It is not normal. For example, if the gaps between the two rear doors are inconsistent, this is undoubtedly a product quality defect. Below are the relevant precautions for picking up a new car: Inspect the vehicle condition: Park the car in an outdoor area with sufficient lighting and observe the body paint to ensure there are no scratches or wear, that the paint is even, and that it appears translucent under sunlight reflection. Open the doors—the vehicle identification plate is located near the driver's side door or B-pillar—and check the relevant information on the plate. Open the engine compartment to ensure it is clean, free of dirt or dust buildup, and check if the oil and other fluids are at adequate levels. Manually check if the doors open and close smoothly, if the windows roll up and down normally, if there is a strong odor inside the car, if the air conditioning cools properly, if the windshield wipers function correctly, and if the lights turn on as expected. Test drive: Start the engine to feel if the idle is stable, if there is noticeable noise inside the car, and if the steering wheel vibrates significantly. Check documents: Verify that all relevant vehicle documents are complete, such as the purchase invoice, certificate of conformity, vehicle type approval certificate, vehicle registration certificate, warranty certificate, vehicle user manual, and new car delivery confirmation form.
When I picked up my car, I also pondered this issue. Later, I specifically consulted a friend who works in automotive assembly and learned that asymmetrical gaps in new cars are actually quite common, mainly caused by component tolerances during production. Each automotive component has an allowable range of manufacturing precision. For example, metal parts like doors and body panels may have a 1-2mm offset during assembly, and plastic parts' thermal expansion/contraction can also cause joint variations. As long as the gap difference doesn't exceed manufacturer standards (generally within 2mm is normal) and doesn't affect sealing or waterproofing functions, it falls within reasonable limits. However, obvious defects like hood gaps wide enough to fit a finger would require hinge adjustment at the dealership.
