Should You Pay First or Inspect the Car First When Buying a New Car?
3 Answers
When purchasing a car, it is generally required to pay a deposit first. Upon taking delivery of the vehicle, you should first inspect and test-drive the car to ensure there are no issues before paying the remaining balance. The process of taking delivery involves inspecting the car first; do not rush to make the payment before thoroughly checking the new car. Once payment is made, it signifies that all procedures are essentially completed, and if any issues are discovered during the inspection, it may be difficult to request a refund or exchange. Below is an introduction to the inspection process: 1. Vehicle documentation: The purchase invoice, certificate of conformity, vehicle type approval certificate, vehicle registration certificate, warranty certificate, owner's manual, and new vehicle delivery checklist should all be handed over to the owner upon delivery. If the dealership is responsible for license plate registration and insurance, you should also obtain the original insurance policy, insurance invoice, compulsory traffic insurance invoice, vehicle and vessel tax invoice, purchase tax invoice, tax payment certificate, and compulsory insurance label from the salesperson. 2. Vehicle inspection: Exterior: Check if the car's paint is intact, verify the production date on the vehicle identification plate, check the production date of the window glass, look for severe tire wear, ensure the engine compartment is clean, and confirm the trunk is tidy and clean. Interior: Check if the doors open and close smoothly, inspect for any damage or severe stains on the interior, test the vehicle lights, air conditioning, windshield wipers, windows, dashboard, audio system, and other functions to ensure they are operating normally.
When I bought my new car last year, I clearly remember inspecting the vehicle before making the payment. The salesperson asked me to sign the contract, but I insisted on seeing the actual car first. We walked to the garage together, where I carefully checked the body for scratches, sat inside to test all the buttons, started the engine to listen to the sound, and took a short test drive to feel the handling. During the inspection, I noticed a minor flaw on the dashboard, and they immediately replaced it with a newer model. Only after confirming everything was perfect did I proceed to pay the full amount by card. The whole process gave me peace of mind—after all, spending that much money is no small matter, and I couldn’t afford to be careless. If I had paid first and then discovered issues, returning the car would have been difficult, and I might have even lost the deposit. Don’t let the salesperson rush you when buying a car; sticking to this order protects your rights. Bring a checklist for the inspection: exterior, interior, functional tests, and document verification, so you don’t overlook anything important.
In the car dealership, I've seen too many cases that emphasize the importance of customers inspecting the car before payment. After selecting a vehicle, we guide customers to inspect it on-site: checking tire pressure, seat upholstery, whether the electronic systems function properly, and test-driving to confirm there are no unusual noises. Only when satisfied do we discuss payment methods, such as paying a deposit or the full amount. This is to protect both parties and avoid disputes. Some people rush to pay and take the car, only to find a dent on the hood the next day, leading to lengthy arguments before resolution. Payment should be the final step of the transaction, not the beginning. During inspection, pay attention to details like whether the production date is recent and if the odometer reads zero. Don't skip these few minutes—ensure the car is flawless before paying to avoid future troubles.
