What is the complete process for vehicle inspection when picking up a car at a 4S dealership?
3 Answers
4S dealership vehicle pickup and inspection complete process: 1. Check the vehicle's manufacturing date and verify if it has a product qualification certificate (without it, license plate registration is impossible). Ensure the product manual, maintenance handbook, and three-guarantee certificate are complete; 2. Inspect the paint under both direct and backlighting for scratches. Verify that doors, bumpers, and trunk surfaces are smooth and glossy. Check if door gaps and front/rear light gaps are uniform and symmetrical. Examine the metal panels near the engine compartment front lights and rear trunk for signs of repair; 3. Confirm all glass is original and each piece is flat. Test if all four doors open smoothly without hinge noise when rotating, and close securely in one motion. Inspect inner/outer door handles for smooth operation without noise. Check door seal strips for integrity; 4. Test handbrake function on level ground. After initial ignition, avoid revving the engine and observe if it stalls automatically. Idle engine sound should be even, steady, and continuous.
I just bought a car not long ago, and I still remember the delivery inspection process clearly. When I arrived at the 4S store, the salesperson took me straight to see the car. First, we checked the exterior: walking around the car to inspect the paint for any scratches or dents, especially on the sides and bumpers; checking if the tire pressure was normal and carefully examining the tread wear—I even crouched down to feel the depth of the treads. Next was the interior inspection: sitting in the driver’s seat to test the seat adjustments and the effectiveness of the air conditioning’s heating and cooling, ensuring the sound system was clear; the windows should roll up and down smoothly, and the wipers should work properly—don’t forget to check the door seals. Then, we started the engine to listen for any unusual sounds, checking if the idle was stable and if there were any abnormal vibrations. Finally, we verified the documents: the purchase invoice, vehicle certification, and insurance policy were all complete, and the VIN had to match the numbers. I recommend bringing a small notebook to jot down details—the whole process took me a little over 20 minutes. As a newbie, it’s best to take your time to ensure everything is perfect.
Having bought several cars, my experience tells me that the key points during vehicle pickup and inspection are crucial. For the exterior, a quick glance under sunlight to check if the paint is smooth, and ensure the tires are free from damage or bulges. For the interior, simply press the commonly used buttons: test the air conditioning for cooling and ventilation, play a random song to feel the sound quality of the audio system; the windows should roll up and down smoothly. When starting the engine, I focus on listening for steady operation sounds without any abnormal clicking noises. Checking documents is the easiest part: confirm the invoice amount is correct, and the certification number is accurate. I also take a quick look at the oil dipstick and coolant level—new cars usually have no issues here. The entire process takes about 15 minutes, efficient and hassle-free.
