Top 10 Things To Check Before Taking Delivery

You've waited weeks (maybe months) for your new car. The excitement of delivery day can make it easy to overlook critical checks. Here are the 10 most important things every buyer must verify before signing the delivery receipt.

• A new car should have minimal kilometres — typically under 50 km from factory testing and dealer PDI. Anything significantly higher suggests the vehicle may have been used as a demo car or driven extensively before delivery. Always photograph the odometer.
• Showroom lighting is designed to look flattering. Always take the vehicle outside into natural daylight before accepting delivery. Look at panels from shallow angles to reveal swirl marks, orange peel texture, or colour mismatches between panels.
• Run your eye along the gaps between doors, bonnet, boot lid, and bumpers. Gaps should be consistent and uniform. Large variations can indicate transit damage or factory defects.
• The DOT code on each tyre reveals when it was manufactured. Tyres more than 12–18 months old at delivery is unacceptable. The code's last 4 digits show week and year (e.g., 2324 = 23rd week of 2024).
• Turn on everything: all windows, all locks, all mirrors, every speaker, all air vents, every USB port, wireless charging, sunroof, all lights. Don't leave the dealership with a single untested feature.
• On the bonnet open, look for any wet spots, drips, or staining around hoses, the engine block, and fluid reservoirs. Even a minor seep indicates a problem that should be addressed before delivery.
• The Vehicle Identification Number stamped on the chassis must match the number on the invoice, insurance certificate, and RC application. Any mismatch is a serious red flag.
• Run the AC on maximum cooling for at least 5 minutes. The air should become very cold quickly. Test all blower speeds and temperature settings. AC issues are expensive to fix and should be caught before delivery.
• Even a brief drive reveals a lot. Listen for rattles, squeaks, or knocks. Test the brakes. Feel for vibrations in the steering at different speeds. Any unusual sound or feel should be investigated before you accept the car.
• If the dealer promises to fix anything, ensure it is written on the delivery receipt before you sign. Verbal promises have no legal standing. Any agreed rectifications must be documented with a timeline for completion.