[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by Squidget

RockCrusher I appreciate what you wrote, and I understand your point, but is there in general anything that can be done?

Obviously I can't put a stealth GPS tracker on a car before delivery. It seems you could ask a dealer to check the ECU log for stress events at delivery, but I'm not sure they would actually do that.

And since abuse of car and miles on a car are basically unrelated, I don't think it makes sense to jump to conclusions based on the odo alone.

About all that is available to you is that you have to trust the car company the dealer to while allowing necessary driving of the new vehicle to have the professional and business integrity to prevent abuse or misuse of the vehicle.

You can ask controller data be read from the car's controllers: engine, transmission, traction control, stability control but not sure you would be able to see the data and if you could see it interpret it.

Some years ago when I had one of my Porsche cars in for service the Porsche diagnostic computer was connected and the car controllers queried for data. Early on the tech could see some of this data. I asked one tech for some specific data -- related to oil temperature -- and he printed out page -- one of *many* he said the process produced. However at some point with a newer Porsche diagnostic computer with a direct link the factory this data was read and transmitted back to the factory and was not available to the tech even to view.

When I asked what data was collected and sent back all the tech could tell me is he didn't know but it was lots. The process took some time.

Sure the tech had access to OBD2 error codes, readiness monitors, and other diagnostic data necessary for him to provide the required service or repair.

I mentioned trust above.

It is like when I have a car in for some service or repair and I ask to see the old part like in one case an engine air filter. The tech would ask me "Don't you trust me?" I replied if I didn't trust you I wouldn't be asking to see the air filter I'd be sitting in the customer lounge at another dealer. I was just curious as to the filter's condition. I have asked to see window regulator and other hardware. Like I said just curious. I don't save the hardware.

I really doubt the cars from the time they leave the factory to the time they are dropped off at the dealer are subjected to treatment that could result in harm to the engine or other running gear.

Once at the dealer I believe it is the rare dealer who'll when asked for a test drive will just toss the key at the customer with a "have fun!"