Yay to you for ordering a Tesla! Are you excited?
I’m excited for you too! Anyone who wants an incredible vehicle packed with cutting-edge technology would be!
I know you did your research about Teslas, which led you to buy one. The next step is to prepare for its arrival or delivery day. It’s vital that you know what to inspect to ensure that your Tesla Model 3 is in its best shape possible — inside and out — before taking it home.
That’s why we made this extensive Tesla Model 3 delivery checklist that you can use on D-Day. You can even literally tick the boxes!
7 Things to Check Before Taking Delivery
This Tesla Model 3 delivery checklist is categorized into seven main parts so it would be easier for you to inspect your car.
1. Before You Leave Your House
- Driver’s license
- Tesla app and log-in details
- A printed copy of the Delivery Configuration (you can get this from your My Tesla account)
- A digital and written copy of your proof of purchase
- Bring copies of final financing or payment details.
- A digital and written copy of your car’s insurance
- Other documents specifically requested by Tesla
- Make sure that all the paperwork has your correct and complete name and address.
- If there’s any agreement or document that the delivery specialist says you can get from your Tesla account, it’s best to request for a paper copy anyway.
- If your electric car’s going to be registered to more than one person, then those people should be present to sign the final documents during the appointment.
- USB charging cable and mobile phone for taking photos and checking connections like Bluetooth
- Flashlight (It will help you inspect your Model 3 better, even if the area of delivery is dark)
2. Meeting the Tesla Delivery Specialist
As prepared as you are for delivery day with this Tesla Model 3 delivery checklist, a delivery specialist will give you an introduction and a general walkthrough of your car.
You Should be Given or Informed About:
- Two key cards
- How the key card control works
- Driving controls
- The charge port and the different colors on it as well as charging
- How Autopilot works
- The controls on the steering wheel
- The touchscreen display
- The secondary vehicle settings and controls
- How to set up the driver profiles and seats
- How to customize the information on the touch screen
- Air-conditioning (A/C) and heating controls
- How to work the windshield wiper and know that the windshield wiper fluid is full
- Where the winter/summer tires or the second set of wheels are
While Talking to the Delivery Specialist, Ask:
- If the EV has the latest firmware
- How and where to record any problem you may encounter
- If your Tesla Model 3 is marked as “Delivered” in their network. If not, you may have issues logging in using your Tesla phone app the next day.
3. Everything on the Outside
Before trying out what it’s like to sit on your very own Tesla Model 3 while holding the steering wheel, walk around it to do an external check of the car. This is where your flashlight will come in handy. If you do find any problem, take a picture or video of it.
The Paint and Wheels
- The car’s body color is correct.
- It has the right design and size of wheels.
- The underside, jack points, and all surfaces are free of scratches, abrasions, scuffs, smudges, or marks.
- The wheels and rims didn’t get scrapes from getting loaded and unloaded from the truck.
- All valve stem covers on the tires are present.
** If there’s a minor scrape visible due to transport, ask the delivery specialist if it can be buffed out.
The Panels
- Panels are aligned and have no scratches, misalignments, or huge gaps.
- Front trunk’s (frunk’s) sag or gap doesn’t exceed 4 mm.
- Front and rear lights have no condensation and are flush with the hood, trunk, and panels.
- Charge port should be flush with the tail light.
Windows and Doors
- You can fully open the doors, trunk, and frunk with no issues.
- They are properly aligned and have no obvious panel gaps.
- Inspect the paint on parts that aren’t visible when they’re closed like hinges.
- Passenger and driver emergency door release is working.
- Windows, including the rear window, glass roof panel, and all their edges, have no cracks or distortion.
- Windows automatically raise or lower slightly when you open or close the door.
- Make sure that all door windows would completely and automatically close when you close the doors.
General Exterior Parts
- The vehicle identification number or VIN on the windshield’s bottom right when you face the car matches with what’s on the paperwork you have.
- Test the two key cards given to you to unlock and lock the doors.
- If all is good, ensure that one key card is with you all the time in case you can’t access the phone app. I recommend getting a lanyard or a key card holder so you won’t lose it.
- The bracket for the license plate in the front is installed and centered (if applicable).
- The charge port door doesn’t stick when you open and close it.
- 12V socket with a device like a sat nav unit
- Look under the frunk mat to check the towing eye
4. Get the Feel of the Interior
The Seats
- The car has the correct seat color and trim as you ordered.
- Surfaces have no paint stains, smudges, abrasions, folds, or tears.
- You can easily fold down the rear seats and align them back in place.
- You can click in and release the seatbelts easily.
The Materials
- The liner of the interior is not hanging and is properly sealed.
- All the floor mats are in place (depending on which Model 3 you ordered).
- There are no headliner marks or fingerprints.
- The windows and windshield have no visible ripples in the glass from your view on the inside.
- Check the right and left clothing hook.
- Inspect all surfaces, including the headliner, dash, and center console, for smudges or other marks.
The Display and Information
- The display’s screen protector is already removed, and the screen has no scratches.
- While playing around with the display, ensure that there are no dead pixels.
- Press the Tesla (T) icon to go to About Your Tesla. Then select the Sketch Pad or unicorn drawing. Leave it up for a while so you can make sure that the display has no phantom touches.
- The odometer doesn’t exceed 30 mi/50 km.
- The display screen should have the correct car model, color, and options.
- If not, let the delivery specialist know so they can remotely update it.
- Check for other information that doesn’t match your Tesla Model 3.
- It shows the correct battery size and has a battery charge that’s enough for you to use to go home with your vehicle.
- If needed, inform the delivery specialist.
- Test the backup camera to make sure it’s working.
The Controls and Connections
- Adjustment for the seat works.
- Window motors are working.
- Try out the sound system to make sure that all the speakers work.
- Try pairing your mobile phone to your Tesla Model 3 via Bluetooth.
- Play music from your phone while connected with the USB cable in the front.
- Plug a USB stick that has your favorite music by plugging it in one of the USB ports in the front console compartment to see if it can read the data properly.
- All the lights are working:
- The door window and latch button lights
- The console’s middle and rear compartment light
- The control lights of the steering wheel
- The lights in the vanity mirror
- The lights in the front overhead driver and passenger
- The lights in the rear overhead left and right side
- The ambient lights
- When you open and close the glovebox
- Frunk and trunk lights
- High-beam and low-beam headlights
- Fog lights
- The front park lights
- Rear running lights
- Brake lights
- Front turn, left and right side turn, and rear turn signal lights
The Glovebox
- Has an A5-size black paper folder that contains a quick guide about Tesla
- A hard copy of your Tesla Model 3 instruction manual
- Cleaning cloth for your display
5. The Frunk and Trunk
- Frunk has things for emergency parking (such as first-aid items, safety triangle, etc.)
- Mobile charging kit and make sure they all work
- If you haven’t heard, there’s been an update on Tesla’s support page regarding their mobile connector bundle, and it’s not included in the kit anymore. Elon Musk confirmed it via Twitter on April 17, 2022.
- The towbar is there if you ordered it.
6. While Driving Your Tesla Model 3 Home
- Your electric vehicle doesn’t have strange sounds while running.
- Listen and observe your Tesla Model 3 for any unusual sound. Relays and fans are normal like when you’re driving, charging, changing temperature, etc.
- Test out the windshield wipers to see if they’re working smoothly.
- Air-conditioning and heating works.
- All the heated seats work.
7. Once Parked at Your House
- Successfully connected to your WI-FI
- Able to successfully set up HomeLink for the garage door
- The wall connector and mobile charger work.
- Make sure that your car is accepting a charge.
Here’s a detailed video on charging a Tesla Model 3:
Frequently Asked Questions on Delivery:
How much time do I have to inspect my car for delivery?
There’s really no specific time frame given by Tesla for you to inspect your Model 3 once it’s delivered. Other Tesla owners checked their vehicles from 30 minutes to 2 hours, but some said you won’t be able to examine the interior or the doors won’t unlock if you don’t accept the delivery first. All you have to do is talk to the delivery specialist and insist that you want to check everything first before signing anything.
Can I delay my Tesla delivery?
Yes, you can delay the delivery of your Model 3. However, Tesla’s order agreement requires buyers to take delivery of their car within 30 days of its availability. But many people have been delaying their Tesla delivery for too long that they eventually started sending ultimatums last year to those who won’t push through on the initial date of delivery.
How will I know my Tesla is ready for delivery?
After ordering your electric car, Tesla will inform you through SMS or email once the delivery date is set. You can also see this information on your Tesla account.
Does Tesla Model 3 come with chargers and charging adapters?
All Teslas did come with a charging kit before, but recently, Elon Musk decided to not include the mobile connector kit. He said that it seems wasteful since usage statistics are extremely low and recommended getting a Tesla wall connector installed before your EV gets delivered. If you want the mobile charging cable, you can get the level 1 charging for $275 and the level 2 for $400.
Does Tesla Model 3 come with floor mats?
The Standard Range Plus Model 3 or Rear-Wheel Drive Model 3 doesn’t come with floor mats. The Long Range and Performance Model 3 do come with fabric floor mats. It’s a Model 3 accessory that you would want to upgrade.
Does Tesla Model 3 have a spare tire?
All Tesla models don’t come with a spare tire so that owners can maximize the space of the interior and cargo area. Another thing that Tesla considered is practicality. Aside from the fact that 60% of people who own a car don’t know how to change a tire, about 85% of the time, spare tires aren’t even used at the end of a car’s life. You can always take precaution to avoid getting a flat tire; plus, there are spare tire options worth checking out.
Does Tesla Model 3 have heated seats?
Yes, the Tesla Model 3 includes heated seats, not only in the front, but also in the rear, which are very useful for Tesla owners who mostly spend their days driving in chilly weather. Knowing how to use it can even save you a few bucks.
Does Tesla Model 3 have a heated steering wheel?
Initially, the heated steering wheel is a standard feature for the Performance and Long Range models and is an optional upgrade for other variants. But based on the Tesla Model 3 Buyer’s Guide, all 2021 models now come with a heated steering wheel.
Does Tesla Model 3 have a cigarette lighter?
If you’re thinking about the usual cigarette lighter receptacle in ICE cars, the Tesla Model 3 doesn’t have that. What it has is a 12V power socket that you can use for a portable cigarette lighter.
Zac Ludicrous
Mechanical engineer by profession. TSLA shareholder before the hype. EV enthusiast all day long. Zac enjoys learning about the future of battery technology, autonomy, and EVs. He considers Tesla Model 3 the most important vehicle of the 21st century -- and is in a quest to improve the ownership experience of every Model 3 owner he possibly can.These 5 rare tips can save you so much time and stress – and few owners know about them (even after years of ownership). Sign up below to learn more. It's free!
