Check a New Car for Damage Before Driving Off the Lot

A dealership may be less likely to fix a problem you find after you’ve taken the car home. “If the issue isn’t found until after you drive the car off the lot, the dealership might try to have you run the work through your own insurance,” Crossen says.

In these cases, acting fast is key. Crossen recommends taking the following steps to increase your chances of a satisfactory outcome.

Take a picture and send it immediately to the dealership via email or text. The sooner you contact them, the better, Crossen says. “Even driving back to the dealership before you send the picture puts miles on the car and makes it more difficult for you to prove that the damage didn’t happen on your watch.”

Get the car to the dealership quickly. For the reasons noted above, you’ll want the dealership staff to see, acknowledge, and document the problem as quickly as possible.

Request that the dealership write up a we-owe so that you have documentation. “They may not agree to fix the problem if there’s no way to prove that the damage did not happen after you took the car, but they may offer monetary compensation or a service department gift certificate in lieu of repair,” Crossen says. “Remember that very minor damage, like a rock chip, could actually be better not to repair because there’s a chance that new paint won’t 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 dealership you’re working with can’t or won’t. They may be able to get you what you need.