Taking Delivery of a Vehicle? 7 Tips to Help You
Sep
20
Friday, September 20, 2019
Taking delivery of a new car is exciting and emotional, but as emotional as it is, you must do your best to stay grounded and take the necessary steps to make sure your purchase goes smoothly. Here are seven steps to help you.
1. Check the contract carefully
If you are presented with a new version of the contract make sure that you read it, understand it and ensure that it is the same as the original contract you signed. In some instances, there might be a new contract for you to sign. For example, if the dealer didn’t have the car in stock and was going to locate it at another dealership, the dealer will present you with a new contract.The Bottom Line: Review the contract thoroughly and make sure it’s exactly what you agreed to!
2. Take your time
Don’t allow yourself to be rushed. If you’ve got questions---and you should have questions---make sure that you ask them.
The Bottom Line: Don’t leave the dealership until you have all your questions answered!
3. Take a thorough walk around the vehicle
Make sure that the vehicle doesn’t have any damage that you didn’t know about. If you asked for repairs to be done, check to see that they have been completed to your satisfaction. The Bottom Line: Re-inspect the vehicle with the salesperson in a well-lit area.
4. Make sure you understand how ALL the systems work
Some vehicles have technology that can be quite complicated. You don’t want to pick up your new car, encounter a downpour and not know how to turn on the wipers.The Bottom Line: Make sure you know how to operate all the systems, before you take to the road!
5. Check that the work was completed
If the contract stipulates that you needed repairs done or options installed, check to make sure they were completed.
The Bottom Line: Don’t take possession of the vehicle unless conditions are met.
6. Make sure you get ALL the keys to the car
You should get a second set of keys. If it’s a used vehicle and there is no second set of keys, you should talk to the dealer because today’s computerized key FOBS are very expensive. Also, if the vehicle is equipped with locking lug nuts, there’s a little key to get the lug nuts off the wheels. The Bottom Line: For peace of mind, get a second set of keys.
7. Check for the spare tire
If you’re buying a used vehicle, make sure that if there is supposed to be a spare tire, there is one. Also ensure you know where the jack is. The Bottom Line: Don’t forget to check for both!
For more tips, check the Delivery Checklist on page 16 of the OMVIC Academy Car-Buying Guide.
About OMVIC
As the regulator of motor vehicle sales in Ontario, OMVIC’s mandate is to maintain a fair and informed marketplace by protecting the rights of consumers, enhancing industry professionalism and ensuring fair, honest and open competition for registered motor vehicle dealers. Visit omvic.ca to learn more about your car-buying rights as well as additional tips for buying a car in Ontario.
For car buying tips, check out the OMVIC Academy. You can view other resources such as multilingual videos and download the OMVIC Car-buying Guide.
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