Don’t Assume a New Car Doesn’t Have Any Damage.

Part of the process of buying a used car involves performing various inspections, including checking for damage. Therefore, part of the appeal of buying a new car is, at least in theory, that you can skip this part and not have to worry about there being anything wrong with the car. No previous owners means no existing problems, right?

Not always, unfortunately. That’s why you shouldn’t assume that new cars are always damage-free.

How can you damage a brand new car?

It’s important to remember that new cars don’t just roll off the factory line and onto the showroom lot. And that when they get to the dealership, they aren’t bubble wrapped and stored in a spacious, climate-controlled garage.

In reality, for example, vehicles manufactured in Europe or Asia are loaded onto containers or transport ships to cross the ocean. From there, they are transported to the dealership by truck, just like cars made in North America. Not only can these vehicles be damaged in transit , but accidents can also occur while they are being moved and stored at the dealership.

How to Check for Damage Before Buying a New Car

“First and foremost, always inspect your vehicle for damage before signing a sales contract,” says Mike Crossen , a mechanic at the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center . This way, if you find any damage, you can insist that the dealership repair or replace the damaged part, and if they refuse, you can simply refuse the sale.

When it comes to inspecting your vehicle, it can be helpful to approach the task as if you were inspecting it for damage or other problems before purchasing a used car. A previous Lifehacker article outlines the basic steps.

In addition to this, Crossen has a few more suggestions:

• Inspect the vehicle in daylight – ideally in bright sunshine – so you can see any imperfections in the paint, wheels and/or upholstery.
• Inspect the car when it’s dry : If it’s just rained or the car has recently been washed or sprayed with water, have someone at the dealership dry it out. “A watery sheen can hide imperfections,” he says.
• Take your time : Take all the time necessary to thoroughly inspect the vehicle.

What to do if you find a breakdown on a new car

If you notice any damage and the salesperson you dealt with doesn’t offer an adequate solution, Crossen recommends escalating the problem to a manager.

“Instead of, say, repainting a small blemish, the dealership might offer a discount off the purchase price or some free future service,” he explains in a Consumer Reports article . “It is up to the car buyer to decide whether the terms are acceptable.”

Finally, if you are satisfied with what the dealership is offering you, always get it in writing before you sign the sales contract. Request what’s called a “we must” document: a document that lists the problems with the new car and what exactly the dealership is going to do to fix them. Never accept a verbal promise or a sloppily written note on a random piece of paper that can later be contested.

“When drafting our debt, be as specific as possible, including even the smallest details, and require the dealership to do the same,” Crossen says. For example: “If there is a paint problem, make sure you specify exactly what and where it is on the car, and that the dealership says exactly what they will do to fix it,” he notes.