Check your new car for damage before leaving the lot.

The dealership is less likely to fix a problem you discover after you take the car home. “If the problem is not discovered until you drive the car off the lot, the dealership may try to have you do the work yourself. insurance” says Crossen.

In such cases, it is important to act quickly. Crossen recommends taking the following steps to increase your chances of a satisfactory outcome.

Take a photo and send it to the dealership immediately via email or text message. “The sooner you contact them, the better,” Crossen says. “Even returning to the dealership before you submit a photo will increase the mileage on the car and make it harder to prove that the damage did not occur while you were on your watch.”

Quickly deliver the car to the dealership. For the reasons stated above, you want the dealership to see, confirm, and document the problem as quickly as possible.

Ask the dealership to draw up a commitment so you have documentation. “They may not agree to fix the problem unless they can prove the damage did not happen after you picked up the car, but they may offer cash compensation or a service center gift certificate in lieu of repairs,” Crossen says. “Remember that very minor damage, such as a stone chip, is actually best not repaired because there is a chance that the new paint will not 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 dealing with is unable or unwilling. They may be able to give you what you need.