Purchasing a new car is among the biggest goals of many. Taking the delivery of a new vehicle is a pretty exciting process, mainly because the wait to get behind the wheel of your prized possession is about to end. Unfortunately, however, many new car buyers forget to perform some necessary checks before driving their new car home. It may be noted here that there have been numerous cases of a new car having defects or other abnormalities that can hamper the ownership experience. Therefore, it’s of utmost importance for a new car buyer to notice things to check before taking delivery of a new car.
Exteriors
At times a new car can get damaged during the transit from the manufacturer’s location to the dealer’s stockyard. Walk around the car slowly and see for any scratches or dents especially in the bumpers and along the sides of the car. Also, check the paintwork. If you notice any repaint patches or scratches or dents, bring it to the dealer’s attention.
Interiors
Once you have completed checking the exteriors, get inside the car and check for stains in the dashboard, upholstery, seats and glovebox. Remove the floor mats and check if there is any moisture in the carpet. Also, check for cracks/scratches on the glasses and mirrors.
Engine
Open the bonnet and check for fluid levels. The engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and windscreen washing fluid should be full. Start the engine and run it in idle. Check for any leakage under the bonnet and see if you hear any unusual sound or vibration. The exhaust should not emit black fumes.
Air-Conditioning
Turn on the AC and check if the cabin cools quickly. Most of the time, the cars are parked at the dealer stockyard in a dusty environment. The air ducts could get clogged and become a breeding ground for bacteria. If your new car was in the yard for months, the gas might have been exhausted and need to be topped up.
Electricals
Check if all the electricals are working properly. Sometimes, rodents could have damaged the wiring. Turn on the headlights, brake lights, reverse lights, parking lights, fog lamps, indicators, cabin light, wipers, power windows and the music system.
Tires
When a car remains stationary for a long time, the tires can develop flat spots. This could result in early wear and tear. The car tires should be new with adequate treads. Check the spare tyre, jack and other tools.
Odometer and Fuel
A new car’s odometer reading should not be more than 100-150 kilometers. If you notice the reading above that, ask the dealer for an explanation. Also, the dealer usually provides five liters of complimentary fuel. Check for the fuel level, see if it’s adequate to at least reach the nearest fuel outlet.
Check the suspension
At times, a vehicle remains parked on an uneven surface for many months. Due to this, there are some chances of the suspension losing its alignment. Furthermore, at times, new cars suffer damage to their suspension on being unloaded from the trailer. Therefore, take a small test drive of your vehicle after having the manufacturer-recommended air pressure in all tires.
Take A Test Drive
Along with the dealer representative, go for a short spin and check the steering, gearshifts, brake and suspension. The suspension should absorb uneven surfaces with ease and the Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels should be in acceptable limits.
Documentation
Once you are satisfied with the car, the next step is to check the paperwork. Ask the dealer for “Form 22” which is issued by the manufacturer that contains the car’s engine number, chassis number and the month and year of manufacture. Check if the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), engine number and the chassis number match with the documents given by the dealer. Last but not the least, make sure your name, address and other details are error-free and consistent across documents.
If you have more questions about ensuring you have all of your ducks in a row before receiving your vehicle from delivery, give us a call at Bob Workmans European today!
Recent Comments