New Car Delivery Checklist and We Owe Form

Car Buyer Action Kit

New Car Delivery Checklist and “We Owe” Template

Delivery is the last easy moment to match the physical vehicle with the deal you signed. Inspect the exact VIN in good light, confirm condition and equipment, test the essential functions, reconcile documents, and put every unresolved item on a specific written We Owe or due-bill form.

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Updated July 28, 2026 · Invoice-Pricing.com Editorial Team

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Quick answer

What should you check before taking delivery of a new car?

Match the VIN and vehicle description to the contract, inspect paint, glass, wheels, tires, interior, mileage, keys, manuals, accessories, charging or tire equipment, and promised options. Test lights, locks, climate, screens, cameras, phone integration, safety alerts, and a short drive. Confirm recall status, signed paperwork, insurance, registration arrangements, and every unresolved item in writing before leaving.

Inspect before departure

Printable new car delivery checklist

Schedule enough time and inspect in daylight or a brightly lit service area. Take photos of the vehicle and any concern before it leaves the dealership.

Check the exact vehicle being delivered

Do not assume a clean-looking car is the VIN on your paperwork or includes every promised item.

Mark items as you go

1. Identity and records

VIN on vehicle matches buyer’s order, finance contract, insurance, and window sticker.Year, model, trim, drivetrain, colors, and major options match the agreement.Odometer reading is recorded and reasonable for the represented vehicle.Window sticker and dealer addendum are available for comparison.NHTSA VIN recall status has been checked and any issue explained.

2. Exterior condition

Inspect paint in good light for scratches, chips, dents, overspray, or color mismatch.Check glass, lenses, mirrors, cameras, sensors, and trim.Inspect every wheel for rash and every tire for damage or mismatch.Confirm panel alignment and operation of hood, trunk, liftgate, and charge/fuel door.Look under bumpers and low body edges for transport or parking damage.Photograph all sides, wheels, VIN plate, and odometer.

3. Interior condition and fit

Inspect seats, headliner, carpet, dashboard, screens, door panels, and cargo trim.Check for stains, cuts, scuffs, odors, loose trim, or missing protective pieces.Operate all seat adjustments, belts, head restraints, and folding rows.Confirm floor mats, cargo cover, cargo net, and ordered interior accessories.Test every door, lock, window, mirror, sunroof, shade, and liftgate.

4. Keys, tools, and accessories

Receive the promised number of keys, remotes, key cards, and emergency keys.Confirm wheel-lock key, tow-eye, jack, lug tool, spare tire, inflator, or repair kit as equipped.Confirm owner’s manual, warranty booklet, and maintenance information.Verify charging cable, adapters, portable EV equipment, and cable bag as equipped.Match factory, port, and dealer-installed accessories with the window sticker and written deal.

5. Essential functions

Start the vehicle and check for warning lights or error messages.Test exterior/interior lights, wipers, washers, horn, locks, and remote functions.Test heating, air conditioning, vents, heated/ventilated features, and rear climate.Pair your phone and test CarPlay/Android Auto, calling, audio, USB, charging, and navigation.Test cameras, parking sensors, blind-spot indicators, and configurable safety alerts.Confirm software or connected-service setup without sharing unnecessary credentials.For EV/PHEV, inspect displayed charge, charge settings, cable compatibility, and charge-port operation.

6. Short verification drive

Confirm steering tracks normally with no unusual vibration.Check smooth acceleration, braking, and transmission or regenerative-braking behavior.Listen for rattles, wind noise, clunks, rubbing, or other unexpected sounds.Verify cameras, sensors, gauges, and essential controls during normal operation.

7. Paperwork and promises

Selling price, credits, deposit, trade, and financing match the accepted documents.No declined add-on remains on the buyer’s order or finance contract.Receive complete signed copies and product contracts for anything accepted.Insurance and temporary or permanent registration arrangements are confirmed.Every missing item, repair, accessory, detail, or promise is written on a We Owe/due bill.The We Owe identifies the exact work/item, responsible party, deadline, cost to buyer, and authorized signature.You understand the first service, connected-service, roadside, and warranty contacts.

8. Final departure

All concerns are resolved or documented to your satisfaction.Personal items and trade-in materials have been transferred.The route home and fuel/charge level are adequate.You have dealer, lender, insurer, and roadside contact information.

Use your browser’s Print command Printable checklist

Specific beats “dealer will fix”

New car “We Owe” / due-bill template

Items the dealership still owes

Select text to copy

WE OWE / DUE BILL: VEHICLE DELIVERY

Buyer: [FULL LEGAL NAME]
Dealership legal name: [DEALER ENTITY]
Vehicle: [YEAR MAKE MODEL TRIM]
VIN: [17-DIGIT VIN]
Delivery date: [DATE]

The dealership agrees to provide or complete the following at no additional cost to the buyer unless a different buyer cost is stated below:

ITEM / CONDITION 1
Exact item, part number, damage location, or work: [SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION]
Required result: [REPAIR / REPLACE / INSTALL / DETAIL / PROVIDE]
Responsible department or vendor: [NAME]
Completion deadline: [DATE]
Buyer cost: $[0 OR AGREED AMOUNT]
Transportation / loaner arrangement: [TERMS OR NONE]

ITEM / CONDITION 2
Exact item, part number, damage location, or work: [SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION]
Required result: [REPAIR / REPLACE / INSTALL / DETAIL / PROVIDE]
Responsible department or vendor: [NAME]
Completion deadline: [DATE]
Buyer cost: $[0 OR AGREED AMOUNT]
Transportation / loaner arrangement: [TERMS OR NONE]

Completion will be documented by: [REPAIR ORDER / RECEIPT / SIGNED DELIVERY]
If an item cannot be completed by the deadline: [ESCALATION / ALTERNATIVE REMEDY]

Dealer authorized representative:
Name and title: [NAME / TITLE]
Signature: ____________________  Date: __________

Buyer:
Signature: ____________________  Date: __________

Attachments: [PHOTOS / WINDOW STICKER / PART DETAIL / QUOTE]

Use it for: missing accessories, promised installation, cosmetic damage, detailing, key replacement, repair, or any other unresolved delivery commitment.

Use the dealer’s official We Owe or due-bill form when available and attach detail if the form is too small. The goal is a mutually acknowledged record, not merely a note the buyer keeps privately.

A calm inspection order

Inspect from least reversible to most operational

1. Match the VIN before anything else

A perfect inspection of the wrong unit does not solve the transaction. Match vehicle, sticker, contract, insurance, and keys.

2. Inspect condition before the car moves

Use good light for paint, glass, wheels, tires, interior, cargo areas, and mileage. Photograph concerns before a verification drive.

3. Inventory included equipment

Check keys, mats, wheel-lock key, tools, manuals, charging equipment, accessories, and port- or dealer-installed items.

4. Test functions and take a short drive

Confirm essential controls and normal road behavior before assuming a warning, rattle, or software error can be handled later.

5. Reconcile documents and promises

Compare with the buyer’s order checklist and place every unresolved item in a signed We Owe.

Take the complete record home

Delivery paperwork packet

Purchase and financing

Buyer’s order or purchase agreement
Retail installment or lease contract
Deposit receipt and trade documents
Odometer and title/registration documents as applicable
Contracts for every accepted optional product

Vehicle and promises

Window sticker and order/build summary
Warranty and roadside information
We Owe / due bill with attachments
Key, accessory, and charging-equipment inventory
Dealer contact and scheduled follow-up appointment

Financing documents changed?

Return to the finance office checklist and add-on calculator. Do not solve a changed contract by relying on a verbal explanation.

Do not let excitement set the deadline

What if the new car fails part of the delivery inspection?

Resolve before delivery

Leave the vehicle until it is corrected

This can be the cleanest option for material damage, a mechanical concern, a warning light, wrong equipment, or a missing item that affects safe or intended use.

Accept with documentation

Use a specific written We Owe

For an acceptable unresolved item, describe it precisely, attach photos, assign the remedy and deadline, state cost, and obtain an authorized signature before leaving.

Do not use “we’ll take care of it” as the document

Name the damage location, missing part, promised accessory, repair standard, deadline, scheduling contact, transportation arrangement, and remedy if delayed. If the dealer will not document a material promise, decide whether to take delivery.

The benchmark comes first

A clean delivery begins with a clean deal.

Use invoice pricing, written OTD quotes, and a reconciled buyer’s order before delivery day. Then the inspection can focus on whether the exact vehicle and promises match what you bought.

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Frequently asked questions

New car delivery FAQs

Should I inspect a brand-new car before signing?

Yes. New vehicles can sustain transport, storage, or lot damage and may have missing accessories or unresolved issues. Inspect the exact VIN in good light before completing delivery.

What is a We Owe form?

A We Owe, sometimes called a due bill, records items or work the dealership still promises after delivery. It should identify the exact obligation, deadline, responsible party, cost, and authorized acceptance.

How many keys should a new car include?

Confirm the number promised for the specific vehicle and shown in the delivery inventory. Key type and quantity vary, so document any missing key or remote before leaving.

Should I check a new car for recalls?

Yes. Use the 17-character VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup and ask the dealer about any open result or recently announced campaign. The tool has stated coverage limitations, so manufacturer confirmation can also be useful.

What if I find a scratch or dent at delivery?

Photograph it and decide whether the vehicle should remain for correction or whether you will accept delivery with a specific signed repair commitment. Avoid relying only on a verbal promise.

Do I need to test drive the exact car at delivery?

A short verification drive can reveal a warning, vibration, rattle, brake issue, or configuration difference. It is especially useful if your earlier test drive involved another VIN or trim.

What paperwork should I receive when taking delivery?

Keep complete copies of the purchase and financing documents, product contracts, deposit and trade records, registration/title documents as applicable, vehicle information, warranty materials, and every We Owe commitment.

Sources and editorial note

Capital One Auto Navigator: Inspect a New Car Before Delivery. Condition, accessories, short drive, and We Owe guidance.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: VIN Recall Lookup. Unrepaired recall search by VIN and the tool’s coverage limitations.
Federal Trade Commission: Financing or Leasing a Car. Final financing, contract comparison, signed copies, and post-signing records.

Information reviewed July 28, 2026. This checklist is an educational delivery aid, not a mechanical inspection, warranty interpretation, or legal opinion. Vehicle equipment, paperwork, recall status, and dealer obligations vary. Obtain qualified advice when a delivery problem or contract dispute is material.

New Car Delivery Checklist and “We Owe” Template

from the experts at Invoice Pricing

New Car Delivery Checklist and “We Owe” Template

What should you check before taking delivery of a new car?

Printable new car delivery checklist

Check the exact vehicle being delivered

1. Identity and records

2. Exterior condition

3. Interior condition and fit

4. Keys, tools, and accessories

5. Essential functions

6. Short verification drive

7. Paperwork and promises

8. Final departure

New car “We Owe” / due-bill template

Items the dealership still owes

Inspect from least reversible to most operational

1. Match the VIN before anything else

2. Inspect condition before the car moves

3. Inventory included equipment

4. Test functions and take a short drive

5. Reconcile documents and promises

Delivery paperwork packet

Purchase and financing

Vehicle and promises

Financing documents changed?

What if the new car fails part of the delivery inspection?

Leave the vehicle until it is corrected

Use a specific written We Owe

Do not use “we’ll take care of it” as the document

A clean delivery begins with a clean deal.

New car delivery FAQs

Should I inspect a brand-new car before signing?

What is a We Owe form?

How many keys should a new car include?

Should I check a new car for recalls?

What if I find a scratch or dent at delivery?

Do I need to test drive the exact car at delivery?

What paperwork should I receive when taking delivery?

Sources and editorial note

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