New Car acceptance checklist
 

I'm making notes for when I pick up my car, based on the experiences I've read about on here. If something more complete exists, point me to it. Please suggest changes / additions... I know this isn't complete.

(I realize some (most?) will think this is overkill. Maybe I even agree. Except once I sign for it, I have an 11 hour drive home and I'd like to have something to guide an inspection other than "Yeah, looks like what I ordered.")

• Pre Delivery
  • Request no "dealer emblem" (the painted advertisement for where you bought it)
  • Request no detailing
  • If you don't need a front license plate, tell them not to drill / install mount for it.
• Exterior
  • Paint
    • All surfaces / panels have consistent color, coverage
    • Scratches / swirls - Inspect using bright light, note locations
    • Note any orange peeling
    • Look for any other imperfections
  • Body
    • Dents
    • Missing / incorrectly installed trim (GFX, bow ties, emblems, decals, etc)
    • Gas cap closes flush with body
    • Gaps between panels are uniform and appropriate (Problems reported with hood alignment and side doors rubbing on panel in front when opened).
    • Headlights / taillights unscratched, unbroken
    • All LPO items installed / factory versions made available to take home.
    • Correct wheels
    • Correct brakes
    • Trunk
      • Check interior paint coverage (around seal, hinges, interior of trunk)
      • (tire inflation kit? Cargo net? what else? These are optional)
      • Check trunk open / close / lock /unlock
    • Under hood
      • Condition / presence of paint where paint should be
      • Any idea how to check for the 'blocks' that protect suspension some cars ship with?
      • Check hood for open / close
  • Correct Tire Pressure
  • Front / back turn signals work
  • Brake lights work
  • Backup lights work
• Interior
  • Check all infotainment system functions (radio, xm, onstar, play from usb, wireless charger)
  • Check all DIC displays (cycle through)
  • Check HUD, if installed
  • Check disco lighting, if installed
  • Check heated seats / ventilated seats / heated steering wheel if installed
  • Run adjustable seats "stop to stop" in all directions
  • Check center console (open /close, interior)
  • Check AC/Heater function
  • Rear window defrost
  • Fit / finish of all interior trim
  • Window operations, both windows
  • interior lighting
  • Door locks / remote unlock
  • Backup key (in fob) works
  • Check fuses (two fuse boxes) to ensure all fuses fully seated.
• Test Drive
  • Remote start (if equipped)works
  • Gas gauge works
  • Dual Mode Exhaust works
  • Cycle through drive modes
  • Alignment (car doesnt pull to one side or another)
• Paperwork
  • XM Subscription confirmed for 12 months (not three)
  • OnStar activated
  • tax, tag, title, loan... not sure about this
  • Get your window sticker
  • Get the "event history" for your car
  • Check warranty start date (see this thread)

Excllent .....should be a sticky....

Agree. In the other section...

add check ventilated seats to the heated seats part.

done.

Add check air pressure, many cars are overinflated on delivery.

Tire pressure - done

Since this has been an issue, might be worth adding to the list to check the XM subscription is for a full year and not the 3 months as well before you leave. That way the dealer can deal with the XM person on the phone for you instead of having to play phone tag with both while being a middle man.

Added a 'paperwork' section with xm subscription and some other stuff.

:thumb:

But I might add this, if something is broken on the car it's warranty so you don't really have to find it while you're there. And you're not going to fix it immediately, you're going to have to come back. But the main thing you want to check is the overall paint condition of the car and the wheels , so that they cant blame you, 2 weeks later when you find the scratch. Scratches dents dings and things like that are the big things you want to find while you're at the delivery.

Just an FYI

Good point. I'd like to add an attributed comment section in that post, below the checklist (so it doesn't get buried in the thread). Mind if I cut/paste yours?

Steering wheel is for the Camaro and not from the Spark.

Done.

Sure