What is actually done during a dealer prep? Do they check all the fluid levels, trans, diffs, transfer, etc,? I am really wondering if this is done. I decided to check all the fluid levels myself. I checked the engine oil before I even left the dealership. I checked my differentials while I was off work for Christmas, and the rear was about a pint low. I had some Redline 75W-85, so I just used that. The front diff was okay. The transfer case was also low, and I didn't have any Mercon-LV, I got some yesterday, and I plan to top it up tomorrow, and check the 10R80 auto trans fluid too. I also got the Mercon-ULV for that. I'm almost certain that none of those check plugs had been touched since being installed at the factory. My headlights weren't properly aligned either. I'll be watching closely for tire wear in case the front end isn't aligned properly as well. Or maybe I should have an alignment shop check it? Does anybody actually do anything in this day and age? As you can tell I don't trust other people very far at all...

 

They are supposed to top off the tires with air or nitrogen too but in my experience if the low pressure light isn’t on, they don’t bother.

I think you just get a half hearted wash n wax and your windows cleaned

 

Dealer prep or pre delivery inspection is just another term for surcharge!

The dealers do NOTHING!!!! Its all bull****!!!
Or, okay...it means they washed the truck!

I've purchased enough vehicles in my life to have experienced so many deficiencies in my vehicles only to ask...why the fck am I paying you clowns for this totally bull**** pre delivery inspection?


20/20 or W5 did a segment on this a few years back...it was shown to be a total scam and most dealers weren't doing the pre delivery prep or inspection.
Even the dealers admitted it was just a way to add another charge to the sale.

 

Were those American vehicles and/or Japanese/Korean that they checked?

 

They run your truck through the scratch-o-matic wash out back and fill it with gas, that's about it.

 

I don't think that matters. Toyota dealer told me when I bought a 2003 Tundra that the front end is aligned on assembly line, and that they don't check it during dealer prep. They don't check headlights either. My 2011 Tacoma (I traded that on my F-150) had the headlights set for coon hunting. Seriously, the high beams were up in the trees, and the lows were in other driver's eyes. Every other car was flashing me the first time I drove it at night, and on top of that, it had passed state inspection at 2 different dealers before I got it. I know Toyota had a problem with U-joint bolts not being properly torqued, is there anything that is a particular on the F-150 that I should check? it seems like all quality control is getting worse by the day, along with vehicles getting more complex. I was almost afraid to buy another truck. I just hope I don't end up regretting my decision. I do like my F-150 a lot, I just hope it won't be problematic. I guess it's the luck of the draw. A lemon can always turn up in any slot machine. Toyota isn't what they used to be, oil burning, head gaskets, frame rot, auto transmission problems, emissions air injection system failures, etc. In my opinion the Tacoma, especially the newer ones, are to heavy for the drive train, just not enough power. At least the F-150's drive train is nice. The ten speed is a bit weird at times, but there is plenty of power, and plenty of gears to go with it.

 

Dealer Profit is a better description of Dealer Prep. My local dealer has never added any extra 'Dealer Prep' but I guess as long as people are willing to pay it then dealers will keep adding it on.

 

It took me awhile to stop laughing. ask about the free first service too.

 

What? You mean it's not really free???

 

They give you a healthy dose of scratches and fill it with gas, if you're lucky. To be fair, I'm not sure if Ford dealers are doing this, but when I was looking at Rams, the dealer I was at had a sign posted saying that due to their extremely competitive prices, new vehicles would only include 3 gallons of gas. Ridiculous. When I asked what vehicles that applied to, I was told it still applied to the $55k truck I was looking at.