Tesla called me today to confirm my delivery time (Monday 12-2) and confirmed a Tesla employee will be driving to my house and taking an Uber back. They wanted to know how many questions I would have for the guy so they could time the Uber correctly. I said I don't need help with the car but I wanted to inspect it. She said I have a week to inspect and they will fix anything with a service appointment.
"anything" is a strong word...
I lumped inspection items into three categories:
- Rejection reasons: anything that would cause you to reject delivery and return the car and wait for another VIN/car. Everyone has their own tolerance here, but if it can't be fixed (certain issues) and you can't live with it, you need to figure that out fast. For home delivery, this is within a few hours and before you drive it or "accept delivery" in the app. Ask the delivery driver to leave it unlocked so you can look it over. Some panel gaps can be fixed and many others cannot.
- Stuff you expect Tesla to fix: this includes fixable gaps, mainly the frunk and trunk, some door issues. Also includes minor paint issues. Goofy headlight and taillight fitment (if it's fixable). Things that are missing or broken. Some of these items would be warranty items anyway, but others, like scratches and glass defects, need to be declared promptly or Tesla will push back.
- Minor things you're gonna have to live with: This includes anything they promise to fix but can't/won't/don't, as well as things too minor to bother with (certain scratches and paint defects), minor panel gaps, creased seats.
Once you accept delivery or drive the car, you own it. After that, if they fail to fix stuff to your satisfaction, you're out of luck. So, if you're not really sure that either they can fix or you can live with it, then you have an issue. I had a delivery where there were severals items each category, including a chip in the roof glass and condensation in the taillight. Both of those were fixable in theory, but who knows if they'd give me a new roof. And I've heard they only replace the taillights if the condensation pools at the bottom, which mine wasn't doing yet. If I didn't also have some unfixable dealbreakers, I'd have had to chance it that they'd fix those things (and others).
So, before you start testing that all the windows work right, be sure you don't have any rejection reason issues. For anything that could be considered "damage" and could have occurred before, during, or after delivery, you'll want to find and declare them immediately, so they don't try to say it happened after delivery and therefore is your problem, not theirs. I wouldn't wait a week on any of those items. Other things that are clearly covered by warranty can wait.
Noises and rattles are a tricky issue, because you can't possibly find them until you drive it (maybe even a few times) and by then you've accepted it and it's yours, whether they agree to fix it or not. Some have said Tesla has told them there's no warrant for rattles.
Depending on how important any of this is to you, take your time, don't let anyone rush you, and give it a thorough looking at before Accepting and driving. Best of luck; hope it goes flawlessly!!