Check the Car in Good Light Before You Sign
Before you sign for a new car, walk around it in daylight. Look for scratches, swirls, chips and dents in the paint, check panel gaps, glass, wheels and tires, then sit inside and check the interior and features. Note anything with photos. If you plan to protect the car, see new car protection.
New cars travel by truck or train, sit on lots and get washed by people in a hurry. Most arrive fine. Some do not, and it is easiest to sort out before the paperwork is done.
Paint, Panels and Glass
Paint
Walk slowly around the car and look along each panel at an angle, not straight on. Swirls, light scratches and small chips show best that way. Check the bumper, the leading edge of the hood and the lower doors closely.
Panels and trim
Look at the gaps between the hood, doors, trunk and fenders. They should be even on both sides. Check for small dents by looking at reflections along the doors and roof.
Glass and lights
Check the windshield and every window for chips or cracks, and look at the headlights and tail lights for cracks or moisture inside the lens.
Wheels and tires
Look for curb rash on the rims and make sure the tires match and have no cuts in the sidewalls. If the car came with a second set of wheels or tires, check those too.
Before You Drive Away
Interior
Check the seats, door cards and dash for marks, and the carpets for stains or wear from the lot. Make sure all the mats, the owner's manual and both keys are in the car.
Features
Test the windows, mirrors, lights, wipers, heating and cooling, screens and any camera or sensor systems. Pair your phone before you leave so someone can help if it does not work.
Paperwork
Make sure anything you were promised, such as a fix for a mark you found, is written down and signed before you take the car. Keep the photos with the paperwork.
Common Questions
What if I find a mark after I have signed?
Raise it with the dealer as soon as you can, with photos. It is much easier before you sign, which is why the checklist matters.
Can I check the car at night?
Try not to. Showroom lights and night-time lots hide swirls and small dents. Daylight, or a bright, even light, shows much more.
Should I let the dealer apply their own protection?
That is your call. Ask exactly what product it is, what it covers and what the terms are, in writing, then compare it with other options.
When should I book protection work?
Soon after delivery, before the car picks up chips and wash swirls. See new car protection for how film, coating and tint fit together.
Related Pages
Protect It While It Is Still New
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