Tesla Model Y Delivery Checklist

The Model Y is a brand new model from Tesla, and some growing pains are expected as they ramp up and identify the pieces of production that need to be fine tuned. To ensure that your new car is delivered in nearly perfect condition, review this checklist of common issues with new Model Y deliveries. If you see any of these items present on your new car, make sure they are noted with Tesla before you drive off to ensure that they are covered and repaired or replaced.

This is not an exhaustive list, and please make sure you do your own thorough inspection so that you’re happy. A lot of the items may seem obvious or silly to check, but when you receive your new car, you may miss some of the obvious items out of excitement!

Some of these issues are common with any car or Tesla, and the Model Y-specific items are noted as such.

For some home touchless deliveries, Tesla gives you a time and mileage window to report issues, even for “high-touch” areas. For deliveries at a Tesla Delivery Center, some items are noted as “Important” and you should ensure that Tesla knows of the defects before you drive away to maximize your chance that they accept repair of the item without pushback.

Paperwork & Accessories

Ensure you have the right car
Make sure the VIN on your paperwork, your Tesla account, and the car you are taking delivery of all match.
Is your car the correct color & have the right wheels?
Ensure your car comes with the correct accessories

Universal mobile charger with 15-20 adapter (120V).
Note: New deliveries do not come with a 14-50 adapter for the UMC.
J-1772 adapter
Owners manual
Front and rear license plate frames
Tow eye hook

Software

Check the software version of your car
New deliveries do not necessarily come with the absolute latest software version. Just make a note of what version you are on, since some software features may appear to be missing during delivery, but it may be due to an older software revision.

Exterior

Overall

Body panels are flush to the car
Known Issue The body panels should all be flush to the car, meaning that there are no corners that “stick out” that can indicate that a panel was not properly attached to the car.
Body panels do not have significant gaps
Known Issue Ensure that the body panels do not have varying or significant gaps. If there are any panel gaps you are concerned about, document them and ensure they are noted by Tesla, even if they say they are “within spec.” This ensures that there is a paper trail in the future if you are able to speak to another Tesla employee in the future to get them adjusted.
Body panels do not have paint defects

Body panels do not have paint chips

Ensure the corners of the panels do not have chips or other blemishes
Model Y Known Issue Some early Model Ys have seen chips at the “corners” of the panels. These chips are fairly small, but sometimes go directly to the metal and will need to be repaired.

Body panels do not have dust underneath the paint
Body panels do not have other marks or blemishes in the paint

Black rocker panels do not have damage
Model Y Specific to the Model Y, ensure that the black plastic rocker panels do not have damage on them.

Front

Headlight Alignment & Fit
Model Y Known Issue Specific to the Model Y, some cars’ headlights are not flush with the front fenders. Ensure the headlight is completely flush and no part of it is sticking out of the body.
No front trunk/hood damage or dents
The Model 3 & Y both have thin front hoods, and closing the frunk improperly may lead to dents or damage. Check the hood to make sure there are no existing dents from production or delivery staff that improperly close the frunk lid, and make sure that you always close the frunk lid according to the user manual.
Front trunk will close and latch properly
Model Y Known Issue Some Model Y cars have an issue where the front trunk (frunk) will not close and latch properly. Ensure that it does so, and also make sure you know how to close the frunk lid properly according to the user manual to avoid damaging or denting it.
No windshield damage or blemishes
Important The windshield should be free of any damage, scratches, or blemishes. This is an expensive part to replace and Tesla will likely decline to repair it if you’ve driven the car, since damage could occur at any point after you drive the car away.
Windshield wipers function correctly
All lights function correctly on both the left and right

Daytime running lights
Signature lights
Headlights
Turn signals
Front fog lights

Mid

Window trim is undamaged
Teslas have frameless windows, and in some cases, using the emergency release can cause the window to fail to roll down and damage the window trim.

Model Y Software Bug Known Issue There is a known issue with the Model Y that causes the window to not roll down correctly when opening the front doors. This is a software bug, but check the window trim carefully to ensure this bug hasn’t happened before delivery. Tesla is currently replacing damaged window trim under warranty due to this bug, even if it happens after delivery.
Passenger windows do not have any scratches or other damage
Panoramic glass roof is free of cracks, scratches, and blemishes
Model Y

Rear

Tail lights are flush to the car

Ensure the tail light does not have a significant gap between the light itself and the tailgate
Model Y Known Issue On the Model Y, some newly delivered cars have a significant or uneven gap between the tail light assembly and the rear tailgate.

Note Tesla may indicate the gap or the tail light adjustment is “within spec” or “difficult to adjust.” You should still ensure the gap or fitment is noted during delivery to ensure you can have this adjusted at a later date if necessary

Tailgate functions correctly

Automatic tailgate should open and close without “shuddering”
Model Y Known Issue Your Model Y has an automatic tailgate. Ensure it opens and closes automatically without any mechanical problems that would indicate adjustment errors.
Automatic tailgate should close and latch easily
Model Y Known Issue Some early Model Ys had issues with the tailgate closing and latching easily. Ensure the automatic tailgate can close and latch on its own.
Ensure the automatic tailgate button on the hatch works to close the hatch
Model Y The Model Y has a button on the rear hatch door to close it automatically. Ensure this functions.

Interior

Front Trunk

Ensure the tow eye hook is present
Model Y Known Issue Some early Model Ys had the tow eye hook missing from the front trunk.
Note: Current Model 3 and Model Ys do not have grocery bag hooks included

Cockpit

Steering wheel should be free of blemishes, scuffs, or tears
Because you touch this item every time you drive the car, Tesla may decline repairs under warranty after you’ve taken delivery of the car. Make sure you note any damage during delivery.
Center console should be free of scratches
Because of the center console finish, scratches may show easily. Even if you’re planning on wrapping the center console later, make sure it does not have scratches at delivery.
Screen should be free of scratches
Note Your screen should come with a plastic film over it. Ensure the glass underneath this protector does not have any scratches on it.
Glove box opens from the screen and closes/latches correctly
Turn signal and drive selection stalks actuate without rubbing
Turn signal and drive selection stalks trigger their respective functions

Seats

Both the driver and passenger front seats should electronically adjust with all three knobs
The front seats are power-adjustable. Ensure both front seat adjustments work in all directions.
Check all seat heaters for front and rear
The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y have a total of 5 heated seats. Ensure they all activate with the center console screen and heat up properly.
Ensure the seat material does not have scuffs or tears
Important All of your seats should have no damage to them. Ensure any damage is noted at delivery, since it will be hard to prove damage existed at delivery time once you drive away.
All rear seats are flush with each other at all recline levels
Model Y Known Issue Some Model Ys had an issue where the seats were not flush with each other at some or all recline levels.
All rear seats fold via the adjustment handle on the top or back of the seat
Model Y Specific to the Model Y, ensure you can manually fold the rear seats using the handle on top of the seat or on the back of the seat in the case of the middle armrest/seat.
All rear seats fold via the trunk switch
Model Y Known Issue Ensure both the 60% and 40% seats fold correctly using the switch in the trunk. When you trigger the switch, the seats should automatically swing forward and down completely. Some early Model Ys have malfunctions where the seat will not fold automatically with the switch at all, or will get stuck at some point.
All rear seat backs should be secure
Model Y Known Issue Some early Model Ys had issues with the rear seat backing being loose or completely torn off due to broken or improperly designed clips. Ensure yours are securely attached to the seats.
Folding the rear seats should not catch on the rear trunk floor carpeting
Model Y Known Issue Some early Model Ys had a design defect where the bottom of the back of the rear seats would catch on the trunk’s carpet flooring, causing one or both of these items to pull away. Ensure that you can fold the rear seats without any of the material catching on the trunk flooring.

Flooring

Ensure you have front and rear carpet floor mats
Model Y Premium Interior Some trim levels of the Model 3 do not come with carpet floor mats. All currently delivered Model Ys (LR AWD and Performance) have carpet floor mats included.

Headliner

Ensure that your headliner is free of grease or damage
Model Y Known Issue Some new Model Ys, in particular, have had grease or other scuffs on the headliner during delivery. Ensure that your headliner is clean and free of damage during delivery.
Coat hooks all extend, and retract and latch
Model Y Known Issue Some new Model Ys have issues with one or more coat hooks and they will either not retract and latch correctly, or will not extend when pushed.
All interior reading lights should function and turn on with a press

Other

Test the speakers
Try out your car’s sound system to ensure all of the speakers are working and active. You can either pair your phone via Bluetooth, or use one of the built-in media apps.

Extras

Pre-Delivery

There’s some items you may want to purchase before you take delivery of your Tesla.

All-weather floor mats
Center console wrap
Center console wraps are very popular and are used to cover the fingerprint-magnet glossy console. They come in a wide variety of finishes, including matte black, carbon fiber, white, and more.
Center screen protector
Screen protectors are available in both matte and glossy. Glossy screen protectors will help prevent damage to your screen and reduce fingerprints, but will not reduce glare. The matte screen protector will help reduce glare, but the look isn’t for everyone.
J-1772 charging lock
With a Tesla, the J-1772 charging plug will not lock to the car. The car will lock the J-1772 adapter to itself so that no one can steal your adapter, but this will still let people unplug you at public chargers. This lock will ensure the J-1772 plug also locks to the adapter, so you cannot be unplugged.

Pre-Drive Off

Items in this section are not necessarily fit-and-finish issues, but are good to note before you drive your new car off.

Setup your driver profile and settings
Adjust your seats and driver settings as you like it, and remember to save it to your profile (and link it to your key!) so that they’re remembered.
Setup your stopping mode
If this is your first Tesla or EV, choose a stopping mode you’re comfortable with. Experiment with the different options, along with the regenerative brake settings and creep. You don’t want to be caught off guard if you’re used to an ICE vehicle.
Setup your phone key
Your Model Y or Model 3 can be unlocked and started with your phone as the “key,” or you can use the included key cards. Before you go (and this is likely done as a part of your delivery walkthrough), set up your phone and pair it to your car.
Ensure your Tesla Account has a credit card linked
If you’re planning on Supercharging on your drive home, you will need a credit card linked to your Tesla Account.
Pair your phone via Bluetooth
Your Tesla supports phone calls, messages, and music via Bluetooth. Before your drive home-- especially if it’s a long one-- remember to set up Bluetooth.
Login to your music services
Do you have a Spotify Premium account? Make sure to sign in before you hit the road so that you have music for your drive back.
Plug in your SSD or thumb drive for TeslaCam
Before delivery, you may format a thumb drive or USB drive in FAT32 (newer Tesla software supports ExFAT, but your car is not guaranteed to come with a software version that supports this yet) and add a folder called “TeslaCam” to ensure your Dashcam is active for your drive home.
Register for a third-party Tesla tracking service
Sign up for Teslascope, TeslaFi, Stats for Tesla, or another app before you leave to ensure that every single mile is tracked, if you’re into that sort of thing.