After some horrendous search, discussion, debates and mind swing you would have zeroed down on your dream car and while taking the delivery of the car please keep these points in mind so that you and your ride are happy J
Everyone gets excited when getting a new car but it’s important that we do not rush the delivery process. One should always remember that when the car hits the road the responsibility will be transferred onto our shoulders from the dealer, so calm down a bit…
Always insist on a stockyard check so that you can see your car before it could be registered in your name. Check the Month & Year of Manufacturing which would be present in VIN ID. Demand that the car which you are getting is of current year. If the speedometer is disconnected, probabilities are that the car you are getting might have been a demo car.
It would be a good idea to note down the Engine and Chassis number when you are inspecting the car in the stockyard so that the same can be verified during delivery of the car.
Here are those few points
1. Never accept for delivery in the evening… Call the dealer and tell them that you would want to check the car before taking delivery and it would take couple of hours and ask him to have the car ready during the day (Bright sunlight = Clear visibility = High probability to find and correct issues if its present)
2. Always take a friend or a 3rd person who need not be a car expert but a person with sharp senses to catch any mistakes
3. The sales person should get you accustomed to your cars features and how each one operates. Ask him to give you a demo on all the features.
4. Check the Odometer; it should not have more than 30Kms on the dial and anything above 50Kms question the guys. Up to 50 Kms on the dial would be acceptable as they would have done some checking’s and road test before delivery.
5. Take a close look around the vehicle, inside the vehicle, under the hood for any sort of damage or scratches. During your visual inspection watch for ripples, dings or bulges and also look if you have any over –spray of paint around the edges of the engine compartment that might indicate repairs.
6. Check all doors, hood, trunk & remote lids for proper operation.
7. Check all fluid levels in the engine compartment to be at the right level.
8. Check the battery, it should not have any corrosion and the wire harness should be tightened to the leads and it should not be loose. Ask about the battery warranty and the coverage
9. Check the VIN ID (Vehicle Identification Number) this should match with the numbers shown in your RC book and insurance papers
10. Close the bonnet and see If it seats properly without any gaps between the headlights and the front grille
11. Check the trunk if the carpet is perfectly fastened and you have your spare tire, tools and jack
12. Check the manufacturing date of all the tyres to ensure that you are not getting those old stocked tyres fitted to your ride. (Old tyres = Hardened Sidewall = reduced lifetime)
13. Ask your friend to take a close look while you check the documentation
Documentation Checklist
1. Invoice – Engine No & Chassis No should match with the information in the invoice
2. Sales certificate & Payment receipts
3. RC Book – Check whether your name is spelt properly. Engine No & Chassis No should match with the RC book details
4. Insurance – Ensure that the coverage starts from the minute you take delivery of the car
5. Original Pollution certificate (PUC) – This is valid for one year
6. Owner’s Manual
7. Duplicate Keys & Remote
8. Warranty card stamped with the dealers seal
9. Road side assistance number and the policy around it
Test Drive
1. Start the car and listen to any small rattle sound coming from the car. Ask your sales guy to keep quiet so that you can listen to your engine sound
2. Open the bonnet and see if the engine is vibrating too much
3. Close the windows and listen if you hear any noise or squeals , if you hear any ask the service guy to fix it
4. Slip the clutch, engage the gear and move the car slowly and see if there are any sudden jerks.
5. Take the car for a spin at varied speeds to see if there are any unusual noises or rattle sound coming from the car
6. Once you are back at the showroom, open the bonnet and look if there are any leaks or fluid seeping. Check all fluid levels once again
Now you are ready to take the delivery of your car and you can go ahead and sign the papers. J
Note: Do not forget to give a small token of appreciation to your sales and service guys; they are going to come along with you and your car for a long time. Keep them smiling and never lose your cool at any point of time, because you need to visit them for your service and for any other vehicle related issues.
You can also take a print out of the checklist which is given in this site (Ignore few items as it may not suit for India) http://www.consumerreports.org/content/news/wheeling/worksheets/pickup_car_inspection_table.html
Everyone gets excited when getting a new car but it’s important that we do not rush the delivery process. One should always remember that when the car hits the road the responsibility will be transferred onto our shoulders from the dealer, so calm down a bit…
Always insist on a stockyard check so that you can see your car before it could be registered in your name. Check the Month & Year of Manufacturing which would be present in VIN ID. Demand that the car which you are getting is of current year. If the speedometer is disconnected, probabilities are that the car you are getting might have been a demo car.
It would be a good idea to note down the Engine and Chassis number when you are inspecting the car in the stockyard so that the same can be verified during delivery of the car.
Here are those few points
1. Never accept for delivery in the evening… Call the dealer and tell them that you would want to check the car before taking delivery and it would take couple of hours and ask him to have the car ready during the day (Bright sunlight = Clear visibility = High probability to find and correct issues if its present)
2. Always take a friend or a 3rd person who need not be a car expert but a person with sharp senses to catch any mistakes
3. The sales person should get you accustomed to your cars features and how each one operates. Ask him to give you a demo on all the features.
4. Check the Odometer; it should not have more than 30Kms on the dial and anything above 50Kms question the guys. Up to 50 Kms on the dial would be acceptable as they would have done some checking’s and road test before delivery.
5. Take a close look around the vehicle, inside the vehicle, under the hood for any sort of damage or scratches. During your visual inspection watch for ripples, dings or bulges and also look if you have any over –spray of paint around the edges of the engine compartment that might indicate repairs.
6. Check all doors, hood, trunk & remote lids for proper operation.
7. Check all fluid levels in the engine compartment to be at the right level.
8. Check the battery, it should not have any corrosion and the wire harness should be tightened to the leads and it should not be loose. Ask about the battery warranty and the coverage
9. Check the VIN ID (Vehicle Identification Number) this should match with the numbers shown in your RC book and insurance papers
10. Close the bonnet and see If it seats properly without any gaps between the headlights and the front grille
11. Check the trunk if the carpet is perfectly fastened and you have your spare tire, tools and jack
12. Check the manufacturing date of all the tyres to ensure that you are not getting those old stocked tyres fitted to your ride. (Old tyres = Hardened Sidewall = reduced lifetime)
13. Ask your friend to take a close look while you check the documentation
Documentation Checklist
1. Invoice – Engine No & Chassis No should match with the information in the invoice
2. Sales certificate & Payment receipts
3. RC Book – Check whether your name is spelt properly. Engine No & Chassis No should match with the RC book details
4. Insurance – Ensure that the coverage starts from the minute you take delivery of the car
5. Original Pollution certificate (PUC) – This is valid for one year
6. Owner’s Manual
7. Duplicate Keys & Remote
8. Warranty card stamped with the dealers seal
9. Road side assistance number and the policy around it
Test Drive
1. Start the car and listen to any small rattle sound coming from the car. Ask your sales guy to keep quiet so that you can listen to your engine sound
2. Open the bonnet and see if the engine is vibrating too much
3. Close the windows and listen if you hear any noise or squeals , if you hear any ask the service guy to fix it
4. Slip the clutch, engage the gear and move the car slowly and see if there are any sudden jerks.
5. Take the car for a spin at varied speeds to see if there are any unusual noises or rattle sound coming from the car
6. Once you are back at the showroom, open the bonnet and look if there are any leaks or fluid seeping. Check all fluid levels once again
Now you are ready to take the delivery of your car and you can go ahead and sign the papers. J
Note: Do not forget to give a small token of appreciation to your sales and service guys; they are going to come along with you and your car for a long time. Keep them smiling and never lose your cool at any point of time, because you need to visit them for your service and for any other vehicle related issues.
You can also take a print out of the checklist which is given in this site (Ignore few items as it may not suit for India) http://www.consumerreports.org/content/news/wheeling/worksheets/pickup_car_inspection_table.html
