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Tesla Delivery Checklist: What to Check Before You Accept the Car

Walk the car in this order. Pick your Tesla below for model-specific checks. Your checks save on this device.

Quick answer

What to check before you accept delivery of a Tesla

Before you accept the car, confirm the VIN and configuration match your order, inspect the outside in good light, test everything inside, and photograph any problem before you leave.

Verify the VIN and configuration.
Inspect the exterior in good light.
Check wheels, tires, glass, lights, and panel alignment.
Inspect the interior and upholstery.
Test doors, windows, seats, and climate controls.
Check the cameras and touchscreen.
Inspect the frunk, trunk or hatch, and charge port.
Confirm the included equipment.
Document problems with photos before you leave.

Short on time? 10-minute essential inspection · Full checklist

Step 1 — Model

10-Minute Essential Inspection

If you only have ten minutes, check these before you accept the car.

VIN and configuration match your order.
Paint and body: scratches, dents, chips, and panel alignment.
Glass: windshield, roof, side, and rear.
Wheels and tires.
Doors and windows open, close, and latch.
Frunk and trunk or hatch.
Seats and interior.
Screen and cameras.
Climate and audio.
Charge port opens and closes.
Included items are in the car.
Photograph and write down any problem.

Have more time? Continue with the complete inspection below.

Before You Arrive 0 / 8

Tesla app is installed and you can sign inTesla may require accepting delivery in the Tesla app before vehicle access.Routine Check

Have your order details: paint, wheels, interior, optionsA screenshot or the order in the Tesla app is enough. You will match this to the car.Document

Payment and delivery tasks in the Tesla app are doneFinish anything the app lists before pickup day when you can.Routine Check

Driver's license and any documents the delivery location asked forCheck your delivery email or the Tesla app for what to bring.Routine Check

Pickup location and time are confirmedRoutine Check

Insurance and how you will drive the car home are lined upRoutine Check

Know how you will charge after pickupHome, Supercharger, or destination charging. Charging equipment is not universal — do not assume a Mobile Connector is in the car.Routine Check

Leave time to inspect before you drive awayInspect as soon as you have access and before driving away when practical.Routine Check

Verify the Car 0 / 4

VIN matches the Tesla app and paperworkCheck the windshield or door-jamb VIN against the app.Resolve Now

Configuration matches your orderModel, trim, paint, interior, wheels, seating, and other paid options. Significant mismatches only.Resolve Now

You have access to the vehicleTesla may require accepting delivery in the Tesla app before vehicle access. Inspect as soon as you have access.Routine Check

Odometer / transport miles look reasonableDelivery cars often have transport miles. Flag only a surprising number.Document

Exterior Walkaround 0 / 6

Paint — chips, scratches, or transport damageLook in good light, from a few steps back and up close. Significant cosmetic damage only. This is not a panel-gap hunt.Document

Transport film, tape, or adhesive residueNote remaining film so it is not driven off and mistaken for damage later.Routine Check

Bumpers, fenders, and rockers — significant scrapes from transportSkip hairline panel-gap opinions. Flag damage, misaligned covers that look hit, or torn liners.Resolve Now

Doors, frunk, and trunk or hatch sit evenly when closedLook for obvious misalignment or damage. Small cosmetic differences are not by themselves a defect.Document

Exterior trim and badges are attached and undamagedDocument

Weather seals around doors and glass are seated and not tornDocument

Glass 0 / 2

Windshield, roof glass, and windows — cracks or starsResolve Now

Rear window — no chips, cracks, or deep scratchesResolve Now

Wheels & Tires 0 / 3

Wheels — curb rash or deep scratchesPassenger rear is a common transport scuff.Document

Tires — sidewall damage, punctures, or obvious defectsResolve Now

Tire pressures look normal on the screenCompare with the Tire and Loading Information label on the driver's door jamb.Routine Check

Frunk 0 / 1

Frunk opens, struts hold, liner and paint are undamagedDocument

Charge Port 0 / 2

Charge port opens, closes, and sits flushDocument

Included charging equipment matches what your order listsWhat comes with the car — a J1772 adapter, a Mobile Connector, or other adapters — varies by region and model year. Check your order in the Tesla app. Do not assume a Mobile Connector is in the car, and do not buy extras until you know what you have.Document

Cabin 0 / 5

Seats — tears, stains, tracks, and adjustmentDocument

Headliner, dashboard, center console, and door panels — no tears, stains, or loose piecesDocument

Interior trim — loose, cracked, or missing piecesSignificant fitment or damage only, not every interior tick.Document

Carpets and floor are clean, dry, and undamagedDocument

Seatbelts latch and retractResolve Now

Doors, Windows & Hatch 0 / 4

Doors open, close, and latch cleanlyBinding, a door that will not close, or a handle that does not present.Resolve Now

Interior door buttons open each doorUse the electronic release button on each door — not the manual emergency pull.Resolve Now

Windows go up and downResolve Now

Side mirrors adjust (and fold if equipped)Routine Check

Controls & Screen 0 / 10

Front display powers on, touch responds, glass is not crackedResolve Now

Camera views (front, rear, sides) are clearInclude the reverse camera. No cracked housings and no persistent camera errors.Resolve Now

No unexpected safety or restraint warnings on the screenResolve Now

Car is connected; note the software version if you want a recordRoutine Check

Phone key pairs and unlocksResolve Now

Two key cards are present and they workResolve Now

Phone pairs by Bluetooth and the Tesla app shows the carRoutine Check

Audio plays; no blown-speaker rattle at moderate volumeRoutine Check

USB ports and the wireless phone charger (if equipped) workRoutine Check

HVAC blows; heat, A/C, and defrost respondResolve Now

Lights 0 / 3

Headlights, tails, and turn signals lightResolve Now

Brake lights and hazard lights workCheck the reflection in a wall or window, or ask the advisor to watch.Resolve Now

Interior lights work (and ambient lighting, if equipped)Routine Check

Final Check 0 / 11

Navigation searches and starts a routeEnter your destination before you start driving if you need it.Routine Check

Steering feels normal; no pullA short lot drive is enough.Resolve Now

Brakes feel normal on a short lot driveResolve Now

No unusual vibrationDocument

No significant rattlesSignificant only — not every interior tick.Document

Horn worksRoutine Check

You know how to put the car in Drive, Reverse, and ParkRoutine Check

Photograph and write down anything you flaggedKeep a copy for yourself. This list is your record, not a legal demand.Document

Anything the delivery location promised is written downDocument

Walk any issues with the delivery advisor if you found themDo not treat this checklist as a claim that Tesla must fix an item or that you must refuse delivery.Routine Check

Finish the delivery tasks in the Tesla appRoutine Check

After Delivery 0 / 3

Recheck paint, glass, and seals in daylight at homeDocument

First charge session — port and charging workResolve Now

Protect the floor and screen once you are homeRecommendations below use the ranking pages for this car.Routine Check

Before You Leave

Before you drive off, make sure every concern is documented and you can operate the car.

Save photos of anything questionable.
Make sure your concerns are documented with the delivery location.
Confirm your phone key and Tesla app access work.
Keep a key card with you.
Know how to put the car in Drive, Reverse, and Park.
Confirm navigation and basic controls work. Enter your destination before you start driving if you need it.

Document visible delivery issues promptly and follow the current instructions in the Tesla app or from your delivery location.

Show the advisor

No issues marked.

Walk this list with the delivery advisor. Photograph damage. This is your record — not a claim that Tesla must fix an item or that you must refuse delivery.

Photos stay on this phone until you tap Reset Checklist or the browser clears site data. They are not uploaded unless you choose “Include photos in this email.” Photos uploaded for your report are temporary and are automatically deleted shortly after one hour. Deleting the server copy does not delete the copy already in your inbox.

Delivery complete? Start with the things your specific Tesla actually needs.

Accessories fit by model and generation. Driving a Model Y home? Start with the 10 must-have Model Y accessories. For your first month with the car, see the New Owner guide, check the Fitment guide, or pick your Tesla to see its accessory hub. Driving away in a 2025–2026 Model Y? The complete rankings are in our Best Model Y Juniper Accessories guide.

Frequently asked questions

What should I inspect when I take delivery of a Tesla?

What to check during Tesla delivery: verify the VIN and configuration, then check paint, glass, wheels, tires, doors, windows, the frunk and trunk or hatch, the charge port, seats, screen, cameras, climate, and included equipment. The list above follows that walk-around order.

How long does a Tesla delivery inspection take?

Plan on about ten minutes for the essential checks and longer for the complete list. Leave time to do it before you drive away.

Should I inspect the car before accepting delivery?

Yes, when you can. Tesla may require accepting delivery in the Tesla app before you have vehicle access, so inspect as soon as you have access and before driving away when practical.

What should I check on a new Model Y?

Everything in the Model Y delivery checklist above, plus the rear hatch: it should open, close, and latch with the seal and cargo floor undamaged. Choose your year and body in the picker for screen-size checks. Model Y L adds third-row seats and the extra cargo floor.

What should I check on a new Model 3?

Use the same Model 3 delivery checklist walk-around, with the trunk instead of a hatch. Choose your year in the picker: Highland has a 15.4" front screen and may have a rear 8" display, while 2017–2023 cars use a 15" screen.

What should I do if I find damage?

Document visible delivery issues promptly and follow the current instructions in the Tesla app or from your delivery location. Photograph it, write a short note, and walk it with the delivery advisor. Minor cosmetic differences are not by themselves a defect, and this checklist is a record, not a claim that Tesla must fix an item or that you must refuse delivery.

Should I take pictures at Tesla pickup?

Yes. Make photos part of your Tesla pickup inspection: photograph anything questionable before you leave, and keep the photos with your notes. Photos you add here stay on your phone unless you choose to include them in an emailed report.

What equipment should come with my Tesla?

It varies by region, model year, and order. Tesla’s owner’s manual says the charging hardware included may vary by region and model year. Check your order in the Tesla app, and do not assume a Mobile Connector or any particular adapter is in the car. Key cards normally come with the car; confirm they are present and work.

Does the checklist differ by model?

The core inspection is the same for every Tesla. Pick your Model 3 or Model Y generation to add its checks, such as the hatch on Model Y, the third row on Model Y L, and the screen size for your year and trim. Cybertruck-specific checks are not included yet.

Updated October 2026 · Researched by Logan, 2026 Model Y owner · Change car

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