New car pickup - visual things to check

[AznGti]

Definately check your spare key. I checked nearly everything there but when i got home i found out i didnt get a spare key... The excuse was that, since my car was a demo car some one that has it is currently out on vacation and will get it to me asap. its been a whole month and we rang them again and they told me that their ordering a new one.....

[Gee-Eye-Drew]

New car pickup - visual things to check

I took delivery late on a Friday afternoon: the salesman had kindly stayed late, it was already dark outside - not the best situation for comprehensive check of everything. Anyway, a week later when I finally had the chance to do a proper clean, I found marks on the windscreen I couldn't remove. Then I noticed similar marks on the driver's side windows: on the inside, and under the tinting that the dealer had fitted!

I put 2+2 together, and deduced that they were scratches that occurred during pre-delivery removal of consignment labels, etc - clearly they used a scraper and didn't take much care. I took photos to send to the dealer (3hrs drive away), and noticed in one photo the shadow of label adhesive on the drivers side rear window: again, under the tinting!

The dealer agreed with me, has accepted liability, and I'll have the windscreen and both drivers side windows replaced (and tinted again) at no cost next week!

That was the worst of it, other than that the car was not detailed very thoroughly (easily fixed through my own obsessive cleaning efforts).

Importantly, none of that matters everytime I get behind the wheel: it has certainly exceeded my expectations as a comfortable and fantastic car to drive!

Andrew

[118TSI]

Great thread!, thanks for the information, first new private car, and want to max sure it all good!

[alf13]

New car pick up check list

Hi guys,

Not sure if there is already a thread on this, as I tried the search fnc & no good.

Has anyone thought of putting together a check list or advise for new car owners when collecting their car.

Reading through the threads there appears to be alot of stuff that new VW owners should be aware of and perhaps what to look for when picking up their new car. E.G. car codes, CDs, number of keys/remotes, mats, etc.

It's very easy in the excitment of picking up your new car to miss the obvious or not ask the right questions etc.

If you feel that this thread should be moved elsewhere then pls go for it.

Your comments are appreciated.

[cameron4290]

I found this a little while back, ill have to remember to print it off before i pick the car up tomorrow


1 Check all the optional extras
2 Spare wheel in trunk and that it has air.
3 Check the condition of all the bodywork, wheels and interior, fog lights for stone chips (if its got cosmetic damage its going to be down to you once you drive away).
4 Marks on wheels from lashing ratchet strap from the transporter lorry.
5 Look very carefully for any small dents or chips. Crouch low and look along the sides of the vehicle and all around for anything out of the ordinary. If the car is outside and it has been raining tell the dealer you will be inspecting the car as soon as it is dry as you wouldn't see anything small if wet.
6 Check panel alignment
7 Check the fit of the doors (front especially) up at the top of the window towards the rear.
8 Have a good look at the seats and the fit of all the trim inside.
9 Check the transport blocks have been removed from the suspension springs
10 Owners Manuals (and log books) are present
11 Make sure all other documents are in the vehicle wallet.
12 Radio security code has been inputted and you have the number etc
13 Make sure there are no stray rags/cloths in the engine compartment.
14 Check VIN numbers match between the car and documentation
15 Check the bolt caps have been inserted in the holes on the wheels
16 Drop the windows right down, and then put them back up on auto (so push/pull knob the double click and don't hold it). Make sure the windows don't drop when they're about an inch from shut.
17 But dont worry too much about making sure all the electric stuff works (if there is a fault with the car its covered by warranty anyway) just concentrate on the stuff that the retailer can shirk responsibility for later.
18 Key adapter for locking wheel nuts (should be in the trunk, with the spare wheel)
19 Two keys with remote locking functions, plus plastic key tag - with serial number, for ordering replacement key if necessary.
20 When you get the car home check the tyre pressures (once they have cooled down) - they leave the factory at 55 psi (set for long term storage)
21 Check that the fog light covers are on.
22 Check oil level is exactly what it should be.
23 Check all four tires for defects/nails/bubbles, you might have issues getting them changed if you drive away. Specially in the winter months with the pot holes.
24 Check all wheel nuts on wheels
25 Check lumbar support adjustment works
26 Check bottle opener is in center console
27 Check no marks where non factory tint is done (due to improper consignment sticker placement)
24 Before signing off on everything, test drive the car and make sure that it runs properly.

[alf13]

Thanks for re-directing me to the correct thread.

Some great advice.

[AdamD]

Before I went to pick up my car, I wrote up a delivery checklist. When I arrived at the dealership, I went over the car with a mate, mentally ticking off the items to ensure everything was covered. Here's what I used:

General

1. Specification
- Red, 5 door, DSG
- Leather
- Satnav
- ... (omitted for brevity)

Interior Items

1. Loose Items
- Sat-nav: V3 maps on DVD
- MDI: iPod and USB cables
- Bottle Opener
- Manuals (car, radio/nav, radio code, service book, signoff)
- Registration
- Two keys, + serial for new key

2. Requested Config
- Cornering lights (fogs)
- Staging (sweeping needles)
- Non-return valve (rear washer)
- Sat-nav set to R4
- Auto-close windows/roof on rain

3. Interior Condition
- Seats
- Dash and door trims
- Sills
- Carpets
- Windows and sunroof (inc operation)

4. Basic Electronics
- Including reversing camera

Exterior Items

1. Numberplate Brackets
- Check fitment, covers fitted, etc

2. Paint and Panels
- Paint finish and touch-ups, chips
- Pin dents or other issues (crouch low, look along bodywork)
- Panel alignment: doors, bonnet and boot

3. Wheels
- Scratches and gutter rash
- All caps and wheel nuts fitted (inc. locking nut if applicable)

4. Tyres
- Bubbles, defects, nails etc
- Tyre pressures (check at servo)

5. Suspension
- Transport blocks removed from springs

Engine Bay Items

1. Cleanliness
- Stray rags/cloths and other fire hazards
2. Engine Oil Level
- Check at home

Boot Items

1. Check VIN
- WVWZZZ1KZAW******
2. Spare Tyre
- Air pressure (check by feel only)
3. Tools
- Inc adapter for locking wheel nuts

[Prodigy]

Before I went to pick up my car, I wrote up a delivery checklist. When I arrived at the dealership, I went over the car with a mate, mentally ticking off the items to ensure everything was covered. Here's what I used:

General

1. Specification
- Red, 5 door, DSG
- Leather
- Satnav
- ... (omitted for brevity)

Interior Items

1. Loose Items
- Sat-nav: V3 maps on DVD
- MDI: iPod and USB cables
- Bottle Opener
- Manuals (car, radio/nav, radio code, service book, signoff)
- Registration
- Two keys, + serial for new key

2. Requested Config
- Cornering lights (fogs)
- Staging (sweeping needles)
- Non-return valve (rear washer)
- Sat-nav set to R4
- Auto-close windows/roof on rain

3. Interior Condition
- Seats
- Dash and door trims
- Sills
- Carpets
- Windows and sunroof (inc operation)

4. Basic Electronics
- Including reversing camera

Exterior Items

1. Numberplate Brackets
- Check fitment, covers fitted, etc

2. Paint and Panels
- Paint finish and touch-ups, chips
- Pin dents or other issues (crouch low, look along bodywork)
- Panel alignment: doors, bonnet and boot

3. Wheels
- Scratches and gutter rash
- All caps and wheel nuts fitted (inc. locking nut if applicable)

4. Tyres
- Bubbles, defects, nails etc
- Tyre pressures (check at servo)

5. Suspension
- Transport blocks removed from springs

Engine Bay Items

1. Cleanliness
- Stray rags/cloths and other fire hazards
2. Engine Oil Level
- Check at home

Boot Items

1. Check VIN
- WVWZZZ1KZAW******
2. Spare Tyre
- Air pressure (check by feel only)
3. Tools
- Inc adapter for locking wheel nuts

Great list mate, i'll be printing out a copy of this to take when i eventually collect mine.

[vdubber1212]

I went to pick up my new GTI yesterday and wasn't able to take it home with me as the funds from my finance company were not cleared - my bank account was! and was told to come in to pick it up by 12. Anyway, while I was there literally the whole afternoon I've taken the car out for a short drive around the block and went over the car as much as I could - keys were immediately taken back by my dealer. I've noticed quite a few "water"/"clear" bubbles in the newly tinted windows. Would these just dry out over time in the sun? I'll be speaking to the tinters tomorrow but thought I'd ask here first. I'm not familiar with "air" bubbles in the tint but are they more like white spots that are caused by lifting tint film? The water/clear bubbles were kind of blurry when looking through. Also there were two occasions where the windows were wound down once by the apprentice dealer and another one by the apprentice-looking young mechanic. My worry is if opening of windows would do any damage to the newly tinted like air bubbles or the film being moved - tinting was done only about a few hours prior to the incidents. The holding yard gate was about to be shut so I wasn't able to have a close look. I will be looking out for those and take the checklist with me tomorrow as I did yesterday. Thanks for the checklist! BTW I saw the pre-delivery checklist in the glovebox yesterday but I would rather go over with the checklist here as I find it more concise - but will also go through the pre-delivery checklist roughly.

[Corey_R]

Hey mate. Yes, bubbles will more than likely come out, especially if left in sunlight for a day or two.
But yeah... they shouldn't have been opening the windows...

[vdubber1212]

Hey mate. Yes, bubbles will more than likely come out, especially if left in sunlight for a day or two.
But yeah... they shouldn't have been opening the windows...

I'd imagine the tint film should not be that easy to be moved. Would that also possibly cause wrinkling or air bubbles (like the ones you see in older cars) in the tint? I know it's got lifetime warranty on it but I always think prevention is better than cure. Although I see here somewhere that MK6 golfs don't need its door panels to be opened for tinting I'd not want to do it again.

[Steveo]

The bubbles in the tint film are common when it is new and as long as they are small they will disappear as the tint film dries. They did you no favour by operating the windows while it was wet. Happened on my wife's car while the film was drying but luckily no damage done.

[vdubber1212]

No bubbles so far but I'll have to check again after washing the car. It rains too often in Sydney.