Getting a new car soon and although I would hope that the car was in excellent condition (being that it is brand new) I'm just wondering what I should check for before driving the car off the forecourt (to avoid any "that dent wasn't there when it left the showroom, it's not our responsibility" kind of thing. Any scratches/dents are an obvious place to start but is there anything else I should do?
Ta muchly :o)
Fill what's empty, empty what's full and scratch where it itches!
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Hi Jane,
Good things to check are...
That you're getting tha car YOU ordered, that it's fitted with any options you chose, or the garage said would be included.
Jack/toolkit/spare - are they all present & can you find them?
FULL tank of fuel.
12 months tax, (not 11 months 'cos of when they registered it, they needed your sale to meet their targets).
Regarding dents n stuff, simply write on your order form that the vehicle is to be supplied free of ANY body or Paintwork repairs or rectification. Then you need to inspect the car on each & every panel, to make sure that there are none!
Is all the paperwork in order? The finace & interest rate at the amounts agreed?
Reference number & 'phone number of the AA or whichever assistance operator they use,just in case!!
Handbook & radio instructions.Code for the radio?
Are you insured to drive the new car at the time you collect it & covered still to drive the old one, you're going to swap in?
Get 2 keys & any alarm codes.
Make sure you familiarise yourself with ALL the controls n switches n bits n bobs BEFORE driving off!!Get the dealer to show you where the oil/water checks need to be made,under the bonnet. You'll know whats what & also be making sure it's got the fluid levels right, in case they forgot on the pre-delivery inspection!!
From tonight, practice the 'I've got a new car' grin as many times as you can, so as do be spot on, as you cruise around in the nice, shiny new ?????? you haven't told us what it is yet!!
VB
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You could really embarrass the salesman like I did some years ago, by pulling the dipstick and checking the oil level when the bonnet is opened and you're shown where to check the various levels!
Make sure you get the radio code as per Vansboy's recommendations which all seem sound good sense. Also ask to see the PDI report (pre-delivery inspection) and make sure that all relevant checks have been done.
Good luck and happy motoring!
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Thanks guys...very helpful. Will tell you how I'm getting on in my sparkly new Honda Jazz SE after I've visited all the relatives and friends to show off!!
Fill what's empty, empty what's full and scratch where it itches!
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Check the dealer has removed any transit packing type stuff from the suspension. My Audi dealer didn't (even though he ticked the PDI) and I drove around for miles complaining about the hard suspension. Even the dealer didn't notice when I took the car back. Took two attempts.
Needless to say I got shot of the car, and will never trust Audi again. Bless 'em.
Have fun in your Jazz!
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The obvious, as stated above, but also check the tyre pressures (including spare). Make sure the spare is up to spec - I've heard of full-size spares being replaced with space-saver biscuits from lesser-spec models.
Do the old "what-side-is-the-windscreen-wiper/indicator, where's the hooter, are my mirrors correctly positioned" before driving off.
Read the running-in instructions in the handbook - in fact, ask the dealership nicely if you can have a handbook a few days before collection. then you can familiarise your self with 'new' functions before picking up the car.
make sure you have the dealer's name/number as well as any AA/RAC details at hand in the car.
Make sure you transfer the useful bits and pieces from your old car into the new - and ask yourself "Do i really need this" before discarding 99% of it!
I posted this a while back:
Photocopy the relevant pages of the owners manual. Tyre pressures (laden and unladen); approved oil types, approved power steering fluids, approved clutch fluid. ALSO the fusebox layout. Make it up on ONE sheet, using front and back, laminate, keep handy in car.
This saves you a***ing about trying to find the relevant page in the manual when it's dark, or your hands are covered in oil, or the wind is blowing etc etc etc.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=16...1
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