New Tesla Owner

New Tesla Delivery
Inspection Checklist.

By CurrentDetail Austin Tesla Specialist · IDA Certified Updated May 2026

Once you drive a Tesla off the delivery lot, your leverage for having pre-existing defects corrected drops significantly. Tesla's delivery acceptance process means defects you don't flag at delivery become your problem. This guide covers exactly what to inspect, how to inspect it, and what Tesla will and won't address after you've accepted the vehicle.

01 Before You Arrive at Delivery

Preparation before you walk into the delivery center determines how effective your inspection is. Most first-time buyers accept vehicles within 30 minutes because they don't know what to look for or feel social pressure to move quickly. You're making a $40,000–$100,000+ purchase. Take the time.

1
Schedule delivery for daytime, not evening
Natural light reveals paint defects that indoor and artificial lighting hide. Delivery centers with fluorescent overhead lighting are the worst environment for spotting paint issues. If Tesla offers you an evening delivery slot and daytime isn't available, consider rescheduling. The inconvenience is worth it.
2
Bring this checklist on your phone
Work through it systematically. Don't rely on memory — delivery centers are designed to be exciting environments that make you want to get in the car and drive, not stand outside inspecting panel gaps.
3
Know your rights before you go
Tesla's delivery acceptance policy means significant defects should be flagged before you drive away. Minor items can sometimes be scheduled for service appointment correction within a defined window — but this varies and has changed. Ask your delivery advisor directly: "What is your policy for addressing delivery defects noted today?"

02 The Full Delivery Checklist

Work through each section in order. Start outside, finish inside. Photograph everything you flag before you note it with the delivery advisor.

Paint — All Four Panels
Inspect each panel at a raking angle in natural light — stand to the side of the panel, not facing it squarely
Raking light reveals swirl marks, paint runs, and surface texture issues invisible when facing the panel straight on
Check for paint chips or rock chips on the hood, front bumper, and leading edges of the front fenders
Transport damage appears most often on forward-facing surfaces
Look for paint runs or sags — drips that have dried in place, usually at panel lower edges
Check for paint inclusions — bits of dust or debris trapped under the clear coat, visible as small bumps in the surface
Note orange peel texture level — some is normal and expected on Tesla. Extreme orange peel (heavy texture visible from 3 feet) can be flagged but may not be corrected under warranty
Check rocker panels and lower body for transport scuffs or rub marks
Panel Gaps & Alignment
Run your eye along all four door gaps — front and rear doors on both sides
Gaps should be consistent width from top to bottom. Tapered or uneven gaps indicate misalignment.
Check hood gap — consistent front-to-back on both sides
Check trunk/liftgate gap — even all the way around the perimeter
Check that door handles sit flush (on models with flush handles)
Open and close each door — should close with consistent effort and latch cleanly
Glass & Lighting
Inspect windshield for chips, cracks, or distortion in the glass
Check panoramic roof glass for chips or seal gaps at the edges
Inspect all four side windows for chips or scratches
Confirm headlights and tail lights are sealed with no moisture inside
Check that all lights function — turn signals, reverse lights, brake lights, hazards
Cameras & Sensors
Confirm front camera (above windshield, in the header area) is seated and aligned
Check B-pillar cameras on both sides — small units at the top of the B-pillar
Check front fender repeater cameras (on side fenders) for alignment
Check rear camera (embedded in trunk lid or tailgate) — housing should sit flush
Open Autopilot in the car's display and confirm all camera feeds are active
Wheels & Tires
Inspect all four wheels for curb rash or transport damage
Check tire sidewalls for cuts, bubbles, or significant scuffs
Confirm wheel caps or aero covers are present and seated correctly
Check that lug nut covers are all present (Model 3/Y)
Interior
Inspect vegan leather seats for cuts, stains, or stitching defects
Check dashboard surface for bubbles, creases, or separation from the underlying structure
Confirm touchscreen is fully functional — no dead zones, no pixel issues
Check all interior trim panels fit flush — no lifting edges or gaps
Test all windows, sunroof, and frunk/trunk operation
Check charge port opens and closes correctly
Confirm frunk liner is present and properly fitted

03 What Tesla Will and Won't Address

Not everything you find is a delivery defect Tesla will correct. Knowing the difference before you go saves time and sets realistic expectations.

IssueTesla's Likely Response
Paint chips from transport damageWill address — document at delivery, flag with advisor before accepting
Panel misalignmentWill address — panel gaps outside tolerance are a legitimate delivery defect
Camera housing misalignmentWill address — directly affects Autopilot function
Glass chips or cracksWill address if present at delivery and documented
Interior trim defectsGenerally addressed if flagged at delivery
Orange peel textureWill not address — considered within Tesla's paint quality tolerance
Minor swirl marks from transportRarely addressed — paint condition is considered acceptable unless severe
Curb rash from post-delivery drivingNot a delivery defect once you've driven away
Damage not noted at deliveryNo obligation to address — this is why documenting before accepting matters
After You Accept

Once you've signed and driven away, your options for delivery defects narrow significantly. Minor items may still be schedulable for service, but the leverage you have at the delivery center — the ability to refuse acceptance — is gone. Be thorough before you sign.

04 How to Document What You Find

Documentation at delivery protects you in every dispute that can arise later — insurance claims, service center visits, future resale. Phone photos with location data and timestamps are sufficient.

1
Six exterior positions minimum
Front 3/4 driver, driver side, rear 3/4 driver, rear 3/4 passenger, passenger side, front 3/4 passenger. These become your delivery baseline — every subsequent Healthcheck is compared to these.
2
Close-ups of every specific finding
Any chip, gap, misalignment, or defect you intend to raise — photograph it clearly before flagging it with the advisor. The photo proves it existed before delivery acceptance.
3
All four wheels
Individual photos of each wheel. Curb rash that appears after delivery is easily disputed without delivery photos showing the wheels were clean when you accepted.
4
Interior touchscreen showing the camera feeds
Screenshot the Autopilot camera display — confirms all cameras were active and functioning at delivery.
Austin Delivery Tip

Austin's Tesla Service Center books out weeks in advance. If you find delivery defects that require a service appointment, book it immediately from the car before leaving the delivery center. The scheduling lead time in Austin is real — don't assume you can get in next week.

From Day One
Start Your Healthcheck Record
at Delivery.

CurrentPass members get a photo Healthcheck on every visit — logged to Carfax, sent to your phone. Book your first service within the first week and we'll establish your baseline condition record from the beginning.

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