Testing my New Digital Rebel

[leonid]

By the end of this week I will have to make a decision whether I want to keep my newly bought Rebel or exchanged it with another one. I would like to do as many tests as possible to find any possible camera defects. So I can return it now rather than sending camera to Canon for repair/adjustment/calibration.
Which tests would you recommend to do, such as Dead pixel, Stuck pixel, focus?

1. I already tested for Hot/Stuck pixels. Took shots at ISO100 with closed cover at 1” and 30” exposures. No stuck pixels. A few hot pixels, but I can leave with it.
2. I am planning to do a focusing test. Don’t have a particular plan yet. Just will make a few shots of a horizontal ruler (like they show in dpreview) at different apertures and verify if the sharpest part is the one I was trying to focus on. I have no idea, what is acceptable allowance if it would focus in front or behind the target point.
3. Dead pixel. I am a bit confused here. Dead pixel should appear as a black dot, when I shoot something bright (like a sky). Even if I see a black dot, it could be as well just small peace of dust on the sensor.
4. Anything else you could recommend?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Motorsports Photo]

I found some extra info about checking your sensor for dust/etc.

You have to stop down the lens to 22 or smaller. THEN shoot a continuous tone like the sky. View your pic at 100% and look for anomalies.

-Pete

[wtfmate]

3. Dead pixel. I am a bit confused here. Dead pixel should appear as a black dot, when I shoot something bright (like a sky). Even if I see a black dot, it could be as well just small peace of dust on the sensor.

A dead pixel is not always black. My first 20d had a dead pixel and it was blue, I took just a random image of something in my room and noticed it.