What to Pay Attention to and Check When Picking Up a New Car?
2 Answers
When picking up a new car, the following checks should be performed: 1. Inspect the body paint: Visually examine the car's paint for scratches, spots, dents, and wear. Check for color differences under ample sunlight by opening the doors and viewing from various angles to ensure the sheet metal is smooth and free of repair marks. 2. Check the vehicle's nameplate: Located on the driver's side door or in the engine compartment, verify the manufacturing date is not too old. Generally, if it's over six months, the car might be stock or a demo model. Ensure the nameplate details match the vehicle's certificate of conformity. 3. Check the glass production date: Numbers indicate the production year, and dots represent the month. Dots on the left of the number mean production in the first half of the year—subtract the dots from 7 for the exact month. Dots on the right indicate the second half—subtract from 13. If the glass dates differ significantly from the car's production date, it may have been replaced. 4. Check tire wear: Look for obvious wear. New tires typically have intact tread hairs, though some manufacturers remove them. Also, inspect the undercarriage for scratches to rule out rough handling during transport. 5. Inspect the engine bay: Ensure it's clean; dust or grime may indicate prior use. Check oil and fluid levels. After running the engine, look for leaks and recheck oil levels once cooled. 6. Test vehicle functions: Verify lights, AC, audio, wipers, and windows work properly. Upon starting, observe if the engine idles smoothly, the steering wheel vibrates, seats shake, or there's unusual noise. 7. Examine the interior: Smell for strong odors (musty smells may indicate water damage) and check for damage or stains. 8. Review documentation: Purchase invoice, conformity certificate, registration, warranty, manual, delivery checklist, etc. If the dealer handles registration and insurance, obtain policy copies, insurance invoices, tax receipts, and compulsory insurance labels.
I'm most afraid of buying a problematic car when picking up a new one, so I'll inspect it thoroughly from the outside in. First, I walk around the car body to carefully check for scratches, dents, or color differences in the paint, especially on the front and rear bumpers and door edges—areas prone to impacts. Then, I open the doors to inspect the interior, feeling the seats and steering wheel for wear or stains, and testing the smoothness of the infotainment screen, audio system, and air conditioning controls. I start the engine to listen for smooth operation, rev the accelerator a few times to check responsiveness, and take a short test drive in an open area to assess brake sensitivity and steering stability, paying attention to any unusual noises or vibrations. Lights, wipers, and windows are all tested to ensure they work properly. For documentation, I verify the purchase invoice, vehicle conformity certificate, warranty card, and both keys are present, and cross-check the VIN and engine number for consistency. I also make it a habit to take photos on the spot as evidence to prevent disputes later. I ask the salesperson about maintenance details and don’t rush to drive off—resolving any issues immediately gives peace of mind.
