New Vehicle Pre-purchase Inspection Advice Request

[Exodus D]

In June I placed a deposit down on a *new* 2023 MME Premium AWD that has been on a dealer lot. I travel a fair bit for my job and this week will be close to the dealership that I am going to go visit the vehicle. Given the two outstanding recalls (the backup camera one I was aware of when I placed the deposit, the battery recall came about right after I put deposit down) I am starting to have second thoughts on the vehicle.

My question is, are there any things I should specifically pay attention to while at the dealership this week, questions to ask about the history, etc?

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[Mach-Lee]

If it's been sitting on a dealer lot for the past two years, I would have reservations about buying it. The 12V battery would need to be changed for sure, and it would be extremely behind on OTA updates. I would also wonder about how the HV battery was kept (hopefully not at 100% for months). It's quite atypical to have a car sit unsold for two years on a dealer lot.

 

[Exodus D]

If it's been sitting on a dealer lot for the past two years, I would have reservations about buying it. The 12V battery would need to be changed for sure, and it would be extremely behind on OTA updates. I would also wonder about how the HV battery was kept (hopefully not at 100% for months). It's quite atypical to have a car sit unsold for two years on a dealer lot.

Is there a way to check to see how the HV battery was charged? Do you think a dealer would go ahead and swap the 12v battery just because it is 2 years old? The vehicle would come with the full warranty even though it is a 23... Does that make you wary I'd run into issues?

 

[RickMachE]

When I bought the truck, the salesperson wrote the following on the contract, and had the sales manager initial it:

Prior to delivery, all updates that exist in the FDRS system will be performed, until none remain. Printout of "before" and "after" will be included in paperwork.

Note that with outstanding recalls you cannot buy the vehicle.

 

[cutter57]

I have learned a lot on this forum but rarely post. If I had your situation, I would insist that all recalls were performed, all updates were done, the 12v battery tested (if they won't swap it out) with a printed report for you before buying the car. You can ask about the HVB charging, but you will probably have to trust their answer. The charging history may be available in the car. Also, try to ensure that the dealership sells enough EVs that they have a good EV tech in their service department.

In 2019, I bought a 2017 Mustang GT that had never sold, and it never had any problems. ( Not the same as an EV, I know, but the concept is similar). Incidentally, that is the car I traded in for my 2024 Mach-E GT.

 

[Exodus D]

When I bought the truck, the salesperson wrote the following on the contract, and had the sales manager initial it:

Prior to delivery, all updates that exist in the FDRS system will be performed, until none remain. Printout of "before" and "after" will be included in paperwork.

Note that with outstanding recalls you cannot buy the vehicle.

Thanks.

This visit is to look at the vehicle--I know they cannot sell it to me, but I have not seen the vehicle in person.

 

[Exodus D]

I have learned a lot on this forum but rarely post. If I had your situation, I would insist that all recalls were performed, all updates were done, the 12v battery tested (if they won't swap it out) with a printed report for you before buying the car. You can ask about the HVB charging, but you will probably have to trust their answer. The charging history may be available in the car. Also, try to ensure that the dealership sells enough EVs that they have a good EV tech in their service department.

In 2019, I bought a 2017 Mustang GT that had never sold, and it never had any problems. ( Not the same as an EV, I know, but the concept is similar). Incidentally, that is the car I traded in for my 2024 Mach-E GT.

Appreciate the feedback. This vehicle is about 7 hours from where I live which is why I'm just now getting a chance to see it. So, it will be serviced by a separate dealership.

 

[Exodus D]

So, I visited the dealer today and got a chance to see the vehicle. Very glad I did…

Several issues with the vehicle which wasn’t properly represented in my communications with them prior to placing a deposit. I say this because I was told the vehicle was completely new and had no damage.

• Dealer said the 12v was recently replaced. This info was volunteered. But didn’t say how long ago. Not sure if I believe it.
• The roof lining has a small place coming out near the driver side windshield pillar and looks like it is starting to do the same behind rear driver door
• Seats look brand new no signs of wear
• Frunk lining was removed at some point. I can tell because two of the screw heads are stripped.
• Driver side wheel well trim piece has a small gouge
• Rear taillight is cracked
• Rear bumper behind passenger wheel has a scuff mark. Probably can be buffed out
• Rear driver side door button is cracked and door would not open from exterior.

Salesperson said everything would be fixed. But some items I don’t know that they would fix since they are cosmetic in nature.

 

[amtrucker22]

I bought my 2023 about 6 months ago in middle Alabama which is pretty much truck country. One of my stipulations were to ensured that the 12v battery was replaced (which they had to remove some of the frunk to replace).

After the purchase I found out that due to it sitting on the lot for an extended period, the OTA updates had failed at one time due to the 12v battery being low (before they replaced the battery). This hang up prevented me from getting additional OTA. When I took it to my local Ford dealership they were going to need it for about a week which I thought was unacceptable. I ended up buying the tools and did the updates myself. Since bringing it up to date, I have started getting new updates automatically.

I first wondered what was wrong with the car since it had been on the lot for so long without being purchased. I was able to justify it in my head that because of the location, there was not a big audience for electric vehicles. I would not have a problem with buying another 2 year old car that is still new as long as the value was still there and I can justify why I thought it had been on the lot for the extended period of time without being purchased.

 

[Exodus D]

I bought my 2023 about 6 months ago in middle Alabama which is pretty much truck country. One of my stipulations were to ensured that the 12v battery was replaced (which they had to remove some of the frunk to replace).

After the purchase I found out that due to it sitting on the lot for an extended period, the OTA updates had failed at one time due to the 12v battery being low (before they replaced the battery). This hang up prevented me from getting additional OTA. When I took it to my local Ford dealership they were going to need it for about a week which I thought was unacceptable. I ended up buying the tools and did the updates myself. Since bringing it up to date, I have started getting new updates automatically.

I first wondered what was wrong with the car since it had been on the lot for so long without being purchased. I was able to justify it in my head that because of the location, there was not a big audience for electric vehicles. I would not have a problem with buying another 2 year old car that is still new as long as the value was still there and I can justify why I thought it had been on the lot for the extended period of time without being purchased.

Thanks for the reply. This dealership is in rural south east so thought the situation would be similar. I’m debating the situation in my mind if I should move on or get it. If they fix the issues I still think the value is there for me esp given the warranty would be in full effect. This was a vehicle the sales manager used to drive to Memphis. It has 700 miles on it so not excessive. Just cannot believe there would be this much cosmetic damage for 700 miles. I think my 4runner with 45k miles is not much worse than this car with 700 miles.

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