A careful inspection before leaving the parking lot can save you headaches and money later.

By Benjamin Preston

So you bought a new car and you can’t wait to take it home for the first time. Not so fast. Just like you would with a used caryou must do a thorough inspection of a new one before signing the sales contract.

We learned this lesson the hard way. Consumer Reports buys dozens of new cars every year to test themand a few of them turned out to be far from perfect.

Even in recent months, we’ve discovered minor damage on new cars we’ve purchased, including dents, scratches, and scuffed wheels. One car had so many problems that we had to insist that the dealer replace it with a new one.

“If the car you are purchasing – or have just purchased – is damaged in any way, it is very important to fix the problem as quickly as possible,” says Mike Crossen, technician at CR Automotive Test Center. He inspects every model we purchase and has worked for many years as a technician in dealership service departments.

Crossen’s tips will help you spot damage and other potential problems with a new car before it’s too late.

Inspect before signing

Before signing the sales contract, inspect the car thoroughly. If you discover a problem, you can insist on repair or replacement. If the dealer refuses, abandon the sale.

The following steps will help you minimize the chances of you missing any damage or defect.

Inspect the car during the day. If possible, check the car in direct sunlight to see imperfections in the paint, wheels and upholstery. “If the car gets wet, have someone at the dealership dry it,” says Crossen. “A watery sheen can hide imperfections.”

Give yourself enough time. The final inspection is one of the most important parts of the transaction. Don’t rush, even if you can’t wait to get your new car home. “Don’t let the dealer rush you either,” says Crossen. “The larger the vehicle and the more features it has, the more time it will take you. Sales staff should be OK with that.

Look at all the car parts. Check the condition of the wheels and tires, paying attention to wheel scratches and abnormal tire wear. (You want to make sure no one has rubbed them on the sidewalk.) Examine each body panel. Inspect each seat for stains and tears and make sure the dashboard, doors and glass are not cracked, scratched or otherwise damaged. Make sure the power seats and mirrors move in all directions, the power windows move up and down, the audio system works, and other electronic accessories such as satellite radio, adaptive cruise control, and navigation systems driver assist (if equipped), and the rearview camera (or surround-view cameras, if equipped) work as they are supposed to. Make sure your phone is paired with the car’s infotainment system and ask someone at the dealership to troubleshoot if it’s not working.

Don’t forget the parts of the car that are often neglected. Lift the hood to check for leaks or damaged parts. It’s also a good idea to take a look at the underside of the car. Ask the dealer to put it on a lift so you can inspect the bottom of the car. “Not everyone will know what they’re looking at, but you’ll probably be able to recognize if something looks broken, damaged, leaking, or missing,” says Crossen. “I have found that mechanical and electronic problems are usually detected by the dealer before the car gets to you. But cosmetic items like wheels, cladding and bumpers seem particularly vulnerable to potential unnoticed damage.

If you find a problem at the dealership

Discuss what you found with your salesperson and refer to a sales manager if necessary. Some discoveries may give rise to last-minute negotiations, whether for repairs or price adjustments. “Instead of, for example, repainting a small defect, the dealer can offer a discount on the purchase price or free service at a later date,” says Crossen. “It’s up to the car buyer to decide whether the conditions are acceptable or not.”

Don’t rely on a verbal promise that a problem will be resolved. Instead, before signing the sales contract, ask for a “we must.” This piece of paper documents the problem and describes what the dealership will do about it. “You need to be as specific as possible about what we owe and demand the same in return from the dealer,” Crossen says. “If there is a problem with the paint, make sure you specify exactly what and where it is on the car, and have the dealer say exactly what they will do to fix it.”

Crossen says the dealer can refuse to fix a problem, but that should also be included in what we owe, so there’s documentation in case you want to appeal directly to the manufacturer.

If you encounter a problem after bringing the car home

A dealer may be less likely to fix a problem you discover after you get the car home. “If the problem is not detected until after you have left the parking lot, the dealership may try to ask you to do the work yourself. insurance” says Crossen.

In these cases, it is essential to act quickly. Crossen recommends taking the following steps to increase your chances of achieving a satisfactory result.

Take a photo and send it to the dealer immediately via email or text message. The sooner you contact them, the better, Crossen says. “Even going back to the dealership before sending the photo puts miles on the car and makes it harder for you to prove the damage didn’t happen to your watch.”

Take the car to the dealership promptly. For the reasons stated above, you will want the dealership personnel to see, recognize and document the problem as quickly as possible.

Ask the dealer to write a we owe so you have documentation. “They may not agree to resolve the problem if there is no way to prove that the damage did not occur after you took the car, but they may offer monetary compensation or a gift certificate from the after-sales service instead of repair,” says Crossen. “Remember, it is best not to repair very minor damage, such as a stone chip, because the new paint may not match the factory color.”

If all else fails, contact the manufacturer directly. Every manufacturer has a customer support line that can help you if the dealer you work with can’t or won’t. They may be able to get you what you need.

Learn more from Consumer Reports:
The best tires for 2016
Best Used Cars for $25,000 and Under
7 Best Mattresses for Couples

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