CAR OWNERSHIP GUIDES
New car delivery in Vietnam: what to check before signing the handover
A practical new-car collection checklist: match the VIN, inspect the car, try its equipment, review documents and record outstanding items.
Delivery day can be exciting and a little hectic: photographs, a demonstration, the keys and paperwork. Before signing the handover record, check three things: that this is the car you bought, its condition and supplied items, and the documents plus anything still outstanding. A consistent walk-through is easier than remembering dozens of disconnected tips.
I would arrange collection without a work deadline or school pickup immediately afterwards. This is a practical checklist for buying a new car in Vietnam. You can check what you can see and operate; technical assessment belongs with trained staff.
1. Before you arrive: ask what will be handed over
Ask the adviser for the documents, accessories and equipment due with your exact trim. Bring the contract, final quotation, payment confirmations and any additional agreements. A companion can read the list while you inspect the car, making omissions less likely without turning collection into an interrogation.
- Ask for a clean car in good light, with room to open its doors safely.
- Ask whether the pre-delivery check is complete, and request an explanation of its results and outstanding work.
- Confirm who holds the registration file, when missing documents will arrive and how the car will be transported if it is not ready for lawful road use.
The dealer’s pre-delivery check and your walk-through complement each other. Toyota Hung Vuong, for example, describes checking and adjusting the vehicle under Toyota’s PDS process before delivery. Ask your own dealer where completion of its equivalent process is recorded.
Sources: [1] Toyota Hung Vuong — pre-delivery inspection (PDS) and warranty records
2. Match the vehicle to the order and documents
Start with the VIN, commonly called the chassis number in Vietnam. Ask the adviser to show its location on the car and compare it with the documents for the vehicle being delivered. Then check the trim, paint, agreed production year and important equipment. Pictures of the highest trim do not replace the equipment list for your version.
Photograph the odometer at handover. If the reading concerns you, ask why and request a written record of the explanation. One number alone cannot establish the car’s history; consider it alongside the records and explanation of transport, checks or use before delivery. There is no universal mileage cutoff in this checklist for accepting or rejecting every new car.
3. Walk around the outside, then open each door
- Paint and body: inspect each side in even light and record visible scratches, dents or colour differences.
- Glass, lights, mirrors and wheels: look for cracks, chips, scratches or loose pieces, including less visible corners.
- Doors, bonnet and boot: have the adviser demonstrate opening and closing; note catching, rubbing or incomplete closure.
- Tyres: look for cuts, bulges and visible damage; have a technician confirm pressure against the instructions for this car.
You do not need to remove parts or crawl underneath. If something is difficult to explain, ask the workshop to inspect it in an appropriate place with suitable equipment. A photograph showing the location on the car, followed by a close-up, is more useful than a vague note saying “scratched”.
4. Sit in the driver’s seat and try everyday controls
- Adjust the seat, mirrors and steering wheel to suit you; fasten and release the seat belts at the seating positions.
- Try the air conditioning, windows, locks, lights, indicators and wipers with the adviser’s guidance.
- Check the screen, audio, cameras and sensors fitted to this trim; clarify any feature that is not yet activated.
- Inspect the seats, headlining, dashboard, boot and storage spaces; match fitted accessories to what you ordered.
Pay particular attention to the driver’s floor mat: correct fit, retainers and pedal clearance. Toyota’s Wigo manual requires secured mats without stacking; ask the adviser to check pedal travel using your car’s manual.
Sources: [2] Toyota — Wigo owner manual, floor mats and self-check lights
Ask which lights are part of the startup check and why any remain on once the car is ready. The Wigo manual distinguishes self-check lights from abnormal behaviour requiring dealer inspection. Have the workshop resolve unexplained warnings or unusual braking or steering before taking the car away.
Sources: [2] Toyota — Wigo owner manual, floor mats and self-check lights
Use the car’s own instructions to learn its driver-assistance systems. Never test automatic emergency braking by placing a person in front of the car. If a handover drive is offered, agree a safe route with the dealer, with an appropriately licensed driver and a vehicle permitted on the road.
5. Keys, supplied items and accounts
Open the handover inventory and count the actual items: keys, manuals, tools, and a spare wheel or tyre repair kit if supplied with the trim. Key counts and equipment depend on the agreement; use the list rather than assuming every car is the same. Try each supplied key and ask how to access the car if its key battery is weak.
If there is a connected app, sign in with your own account and have the adviser guide the pairing. Confirm the appropriate owner access, entering passwords and verification codes yourself. VinFast’s app, for example, includes vehicle, battery and charging information; available functions should be checked against the car and software in use.
Sources: [3] VinFast — frequently asked questions, app and charging use
For an EV, ask for a charging demonstration: opening the port, starting, stopping and correctly releasing the connector. Record which cables or chargers are included and which are separate purchases. Use manufacturer-compatible charging, with home electrical suitability assessed professionally. VinFast also specifies recommended charging sources and no owner intervention in high-voltage components.
Sources: [3] VinFast — frequently asked questions, app and charging use
6. Documents and warranty: know what you have received
- Match buyer, vehicle and payment details across the contract, invoice and related records.
- Separate documents received, those still being processed and any held by a lender; record the contact and expected release date.
- Check the vehicle details and coverage start time on insurance you have purchased.
- Obtain the owner’s instructions, warranty information, model-specific maintenance schedule and assistance/service contacts.
Ask the adviser to show the warranty start date in the records or system. Toyota states that its warranty begins on delivery to the first owner, while noting model differences and referring owners to the supplied warranty booklet. Keep confirmation for your own car, including any extended-warranty conditions.
Sources: [4] Toyota Vietnam — warranty commencement and conditions
7. Record unresolved points before signing
If there is a scratch, missing item or non-working feature, record the condition with the adviser, including photographs, the proposed remedy, responsible contact and deadline. Read the acknowledgements so they match what you actually inspected and received. If agreement has not been reached, you can ask to pause the handover and clarify it with the responsible manager.
An illustrative note might read: “Scratch on front-right wheel, attached photo 03; dealer to confirm the remedy and appointment in the accompanying written agreement.” Specific wording is easier to follow up than “take it home and we will sort it out later”. Keep a copy acknowledged by both sides; the note does not replace the contract’s other terms.
A short checklist to save on your phone
- VIN, trim, colour and agreed production year match.
- Exterior, interior and tyres checked; odometer recorded.
- Basic controls, warning lights and fitted functions explained.
- Keys, supplied equipment and accessories match the inventory.
- Account/app access and charging procedures understood where applicable.
- Documents, insurance, warranty, maintenance schedule and support contacts clear.
- Outstanding points recorded in writing; handover copy retained.
Frequently asked questions
Should I hire an independent inspector for a new car?
Not everyone needs one. If you are unfamiliar with cars, an experienced companion can help; an independent inspection may be useful for a specific concern if access is arranged with the dealer. Agree the scope beforehand, favour non-invasive checks and seek a clear professional assessment for technical issues.
Can I collect the car if a small accessory is missing?
You can consider it if the item does not affect safety and both sides record what is missing, its delivery and installation dates and any cost. Resolve matters affecting lawful road use or safe operation before driving home.
What should I do first after collection?
Save the handover photos and documents in a dedicated folder, set maintenance reminders and get familiar with the car on a straightforward route. Report anything unusual promptly with a description, photographs and when it appeared. For a safety concern, stop somewhere safe and contact assistance.
If you are still choosing a trim, save candidates in Your garage to compare before deciding. On collection day, the agreed equipment list will help you ask for the right items. A clear handover is a comfortable start to long-term ownership.