Car Collection Day Checklist: What to Do Before Driving Off

You've completed the hard work. You've chosen your car, arranged the finance, and now it's collection day. However, before you take those keys and share the moment, there are essential items you need to address. A few minutes of checking now will save you hours of complications later.

Sort This Out Before You Arrive

Get insurance arranged immediately. Not tomorrow. Not "when you get home." Today. Once those papers are signed, anything that happens to that car becomes the buyer's responsibility. Contact your insurer, provide them with the VIN number, and you're done. Some dealers will try to sell their drive-away cover, that's like wearing sandals to a construction site. Secure proper, comprehensive insurance.

Have your payment confirmed. This sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people arrive only to discover their bank transfer didn't process or their finance approval has expired. Double-check that everything is confirmed and ready.

Collection Day: Don't Rush This Process

Choose your timing carefully. Daylight hours. Good weather conditions. Not 5 pm on a Friday when everyone's rushing to finish work. You want to examine every scratch, every panel gap, and every potential issue in proper lighting conditions.

Walk around like you're about to own the vehicle (because you are). Check the paintwork, look for scratches, dents, and colour variations. Panel gaps should be consistent. If the bonnet gap appears misaligned compared to the doors, that's a warning sign. Stone chips are normal wear, but on a brand-new car? That's unacceptable.

Inspect under the bonnet. Check underneath if possible. During COVID, cars were stored in ports near salt water for extended periods. Rust was appearing in unexpected places. This is probably not an issue now, but why take the risk?

Test everything that connects, switches on, or moves. Bluetooth, air conditioning, seat adjusters, windows, lights, everything. Different vehicle models come with varying features depending on the specification, so ensure that what you paid for is actually present.

Take it for a comprehensive test drive. Not just around the block. Get it on the road, test the brakes, listen for unusual noises. If something feels wrong, speak up immediately. Once the papers are signed, proving it was the dealer's issue becomes significantly more difficult.

The Paperwork Process

Build date is important. Does it match the contract? Purchasing a 2024 model that was manufactured in 2023 isn't ideal.

Count everything that should be included. Spare wheel, jack, floor mats, all those extras that were negotiated into the deal. Missing something? Don't leave without it.

Check the fuel tank. Was a full tank part of the agreement? Check that gauge. There's nothing worse than the low fuel warning activating before you reach the main road. This happened to a colleague once – an embarrassing moment at the service station explaining why he needed fuel money after just purchasing a car.

After You Sign the Documents

Understand the running-in period. For the first 1,000 km or so, drive conservatively. No high revving at traffic lights, no towing heavy loads, no track-day driving. The engine needs time to settle in properly.

Plan protection measures. Window tinting that actually blocks heat (not just the inexpensive options that only look good). Paint protection is keeping it pristine is the goal. Quality floor mats because Queensland mud is no joke.

Install a dash cam. This is non-negotiable these days. Too many problematic drivers on the road, and insurance companies appreciate the footage when incidents occur.

Don't Be That Person

The one who accepts a car with issues because they're too polite to speak up. If you spot something problematic, address it immediately.

Missing accessories? Don't accept "it'll be ordered in." Paint damage? Don't buy the "it'll buff out" explanation. Mechanical issues? Don't sign until it's properly fixed.

The First Drive Home

Take your time leaving the dealership. There's no rush. Stick to familiar roads while getting accustomed to how it handles. Every car is different, even the same model can feel different depending on how it's been configured.

The Bottom Line

Buying a car should be exciting, not stressful.

A few minutes of checking now prevents weeks of complications later. Dealers see this regularly: customers returning months later with issues they claim existed from day one. "It wasn't like that when I collected it!" Perhaps not. But proving it after the fact is extremely difficult.

Don't rush the process. Don't feel uncomfortable about double-checking everything. It's a significant purchase that deserves proper attention.

Because once those keys are handed over and the car leaves the lot, any issues become the owner's responsibility. It's better to identify problems while they can still be addressed by the dealer.

Ready to find your next car or have questions about the buying process? Contact us and we'll guide you through everything before you sign any paperwork.