What are the precautions for inspecting a new car upon delivery?
3 Answers
Precautions for inspecting a new car upon delivery are: 1. First, visually inspect the body paint for scratches and wear. Observe the paint under ample sunlight to check for color differences, and open the doors to push and pull them at various angles to let light shine from different directions to check if the sheet metal is even; 2. Open the doors and pay attention to whether they open and close smoothly, and whether the gaps between the doors and the front and rear bumpers are consistent; 3. Open the engine hood to check if the engine compartment is clean. If the car has been stored for a long time or used, some areas may have obvious dust or stains; 4. Check if the windshield is original; 5. Inspect the vehicle's nameplate, which is located on the side of the driver's door or in the engine compartment. Pay attention to whether the manufacturing date is too far from the current date. If it exceeds six months, the car is likely to be an inventory or test-drive vehicle.
On the day of picking up the car, I brought a checklist. The first thing was to verify that the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) matched the contract and the nameplate—it's as important as an ID card. I walked around the car twice to inspect the paintwork; using a flashlight at an angle makes it easier to spot transport scratches. I crouched down to check if the tire hairs were intact. Inside the car, after starting the engine, I focused on the dashboard warning lights, tested all the window controls and center console buttons, and didn’t forget to check the triangle warning sign and jack in the trunk. I turned the air conditioning to maximum for five minutes, while also listening for any irregular idle sounds from the engine. I highly recommend bringing an experienced driver to help with a test drive; they can detect any abnormal noises from the chassis on bumpy roads. Finally, I checked each item on the list of freebies and the maintenance manual, and made sure to receive the purchase invoice on the spot.
Last time I helped a friend inspect a new car and almost got scammed, so now I always remind everyone to bring their phone to record the VIN. When walking around the car, feel the body panel gaps for uniformity—the hood gap is where they most often hide flaws. After getting into the driver's seat, adjust it all the way back to check for water stains on the floor, which can reveal flood damage. Don't rush off after starting the car—wait for the coolant temperature to normalize, then floor the accelerator to listen to the exhaust note. Use your phone to photograph the tire production dates; if the front and rear windshield dates differ by over six months, that's a red flag. Remember to pop the hood and check the coolant and oil levels—new cars usually have fluids filled slightly above normal.
