New car pickup - visual things to check

[bulaviti]

Lessons learnt for me when I picked up my 118TSI ....

pen mark near the driver's seat sun visor - detailing guy must have had his pen when pulling down the sun visor; one wheel nut was missing on the rear passenger side wheel - all sorted out a few days after the delivery but just shows that one can miss simple things like missing wheel nut! The pen mark was hard to see in the delivery room in my case - only saw it when I had to pull it down when driving the car home for the first time.

[OilBurna]

I had a few small things only minor and given car was delivered from geelong wasn't too fussed, there was a very minor chip in the leather on the steering wheel, small dint in the speaker on top of the dashboard. The major one though - which someone else pointed out. The side protection strips on one side on both the front and rear doors on the passenger side including the rear bumper were black not chrome - don;t know how they missed that one at the factory and dealer!!!

[ozgti]

Found lots of fine small scratches down the B Pillar and rear of drivers door. But because they are black, it's harder to see them. Only noticed in the sunlight when it was a bit dirty.

Make sure the Lumbar support works. Mine broke on the drivers side about 5 mins from my front door! Needless to say, I will be going back in for the mini service/checkup and hopefully the seat can be replaced (bot sure I want someone ****ing around under the fabric with an airbag there as well!)

[Corey_R]

There's a mini service/checkup?

[hooba]

At 7,500kms according to my dealer.

[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]

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]

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.