What is Pre-delivery Inspection (PDI)?
Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) is the final quality check a car goes through before it is registered and delivered to the customer. It is performed by the dealership to ensure that the vehicle is fully functional, safe to drive, and free from any defects.
The PDI of a car involves carefully inspecting the exterior, interior, mechanical parts, electrical systems, and fluid levels. The inspection also includes checking accessories, if fitted, and carrying out a short test drive to confirm that the car drives correctly. If needed, minor adjustments such as topping up fluids, setting headlight alignment, or balancing the wheels are made during this process.
Although it is the dealer’s responsibility to conduct a thorough PDI inspection, it is recommended that customers personally check the car using a PDI checklist before accepting delivery. A proper car PDI service ensures that your new vehicle is delivered in perfect condition, ready for safe and enjoyable driving.
Car PDI Checklist for Physical Inspection
Performing a Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) of your new car may seem challenging, but following a structured car PDI checklist becomes simple. Careful checking ensures you receive a vehicle in perfect condition.
- Lighting and Position: Park the car in an open area with good daylight. This will help you inspect everything.
- Exterior Condition: Walk around the car and look for scratches or dents, paint values, differences, or blemishes.
- Body Panels and Gaps: Check for misaligned body panels, uneven panel gaps, and poorly fitted trims.
- Doors, Bonnet, and Boot: Try to open and close each one of its doors, the bonnet, and the boot lid to ensure they all work properly.
- Locking System: Test both the master and spare keys for access to the door and remote locks.
- Engine Bay Inspection: Inspect the engine bay for leaks, entangled wires, oil spills, and broken or loose parts.
- Spare Tyre and Tools: Check the spare tyre, jack, spanner, and emergency toolkit. Find that the spare tyre is naked and has proper air pressure.
- Lights and Lamps: Test on all outer lights - headlights, tail lights, fog lamps, and any special features, such as follow-me-home headlights and puddle lamps.
- Glass Surfaces: Inspect the front and back windshield and all parallel glass for cracks, scratches, or damage.
- Tyre Condition: Check that tyres are new and have proper tread depth. Ensure the tyres are inflated as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Documentation Check: Check the document verification from the matched vehicle identification number (VIN) and engine number.
Car PDI Checklist for Interior Inspection
After checking the exterior, the next step of the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) is to examine the interior carefully. Here is a simple car PDI checklist to inspect the inside of your new vehicle:
- Dashboard seats and door pads: Inspect the material quality for any scratches, marks, or signs of damage.
- Interior fit and finish: Check all panels and trims for general fitment, with no loose parts or misalignments in evidence.
- Glovebox Operation: Open and close the glove box, ensuring it operates smoothly and easily without jamming.
- Seats and Carpet Condition: Check for stains, tears, or marks on the front and rear seats, mats, and carpets.
- Under carpet Check: Pull mats or carpets to check for water seepage signs inside the cabin.
- Window Operations: Operate the window glass up and down, especially on powered window mechanisms, to check for smooth and proper functioning.
- Roof Liners and Door Seals: Check roof linings and door seals for any cracks, gaps, or damage.
- Seatbelts and Adjustments: Test all seatbelts and adjust mechanisms to ensure they lock properly.
- Steering Wheel Movement: Steer the steering wheel to look for free movement, i.e., no abnormal sounds or stiffness.
- Odometer Reading: Confirm that the odometer reads appropriately low mileage, preferably below 100 kilometres.
Car PDI Checklist for Inspection of Electrical Components
Here is a simple car PDI checklist for inspecting electrical components:
- AC Performance: Run the engine, turn up the air conditioning, and check the quickness and efficacy of the cabin cooling point.
- AC Vents and Air Quality: Observe the air conditioning vents for dust and dirt accumulation and check whether any unpleasant odour flows through them.
- Infotainment System and Controls: Check the infotainment or music system and ensure the operation of all ports, buttons, and speakers.
- Horn and Wipers: The horn is pressed, along with the wipers, and checks that everything is functioning well without suffering faults.
- Lights and Indicators: Check all the lamps, from headlights to tail lights, indicator lights, fog lamps, and interior lighting, for proper function.
- Battery Condition: Pop the hood and check the battery for rust or corrosion on the terminals. Ask for the battery warranty documents that you can refer to in the future.
Car PDI Checklist for Inspection of Essential Fluids
As part of the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI), it is important to check the car’s essential fluids to ensure the vehicle is ready for use. Here is a simple car PDI checklist for fluid inspection:
- Engine Oil Level: Open the bonnet, pull the dipstick, and check the engine oil level. Check that the car also has a digital oil gauge on the dashboard.
- Coolant Level: Inspect the coolant reservoir tank and ensure the coolant is between the maximum and minimum marks as the manufacturer recommends.
- Brake and Power Steering Fluids: Check the levels of the brake fluid and power steering fluid to ensure they are adequate and within the specified range.
- Windscreen Washer Fluid: Verify that the washer fluid reservoir is filled and ready for use.
Car PDI Checklist for a Test Drive
After checking the exterior, interior, and mechanical components, it is important to take your new car for a short test drive as part of the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI). It is advisable to have a dealership executive accompany you during the drive. Here is a simple car PDI checklist to follow during the test drive:
- Acceleration and Braking: Test the car's acceleration and braking. There should be no jerks when speeding up or unusual noises while applying the brakes.
- Steering Wheel Alignment: Check if the car drives straight when you lightly release the steering wheel. If it pulls to one side, the wheel alignment may need adjustment.
- Suspension and Noise Check: Listen carefully for any unusual sounds from the car suspension or under the chassis.
- Pedal Functionality: Ensure that the accelerator, brake, and clutch pedals respond smoothly without any stiffness or delay.
- Gearbox and Handbrake: Shift through all gears and check if the gear lever moves smoothly. Also, test the handbrake to ensure it holds the car firmly.
Car PDI Checklist for Inspection of Duplicate Key
As part of the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI), checking the functionality of the duplicate key that comes with your new car is important. Most vehicles have two keys — a main key and a spare key. Follow this simple car PDI checklist to inspect the duplicate key properly:
- Lock and Unlock Doors: Use the duplicate key to manually lock and unlock all doors to ensure they fit and work correctly.
- Remote Function Testing: If the duplicate key has remote functions, test the buttons for locking, unlocking, and boot release (if available).
- Ignition Start: Start the engine using the duplicate key to confirm it can properly engage the ignition or start system.
- Physical Key Check: If the spare key differs from the main key, such as a basic blade key compared to a smart fob, verify its physical operation in the door lock.
Documents Required for Pre-Delivery Inspection
Along with inspecting the car, verifying that all necessary documents are complete and accurate during the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) is important. Here is a checklist of essential documents you should review before accepting your new vehicle:
- Invoice: Should clearly mention the car’s model, variant, chassis (VIN) number, and engine number. These must match the numbers stamped on the vehicle.
- RTO Documents: Registration-related documents should include the correct chassis and engine numbers.
- Payment Receipts: Collect receipts for all payments made towards the vehicle, including accessories, road tax, registration fees, and other charges.
- Insurance Policy: Verify that the insurance document has accurate details matching your car and correct coverage dates.
- Registration Certificate: Ensure the registration paper shows the correct chassis and engine numbers.
- Warranty Certificate: Check the warranty coverage for the car and confirm its validity.
- Extended Warranty (if applicable): If you have opted for an extended warranty, make sure you receive the related documents.
- Roadside Assistance (RSA) Copy: Collect the details of the Roadside Assistance program, if provided.
- Owner’s Manual and Service Booklet: Make sure you receive the car’s owner’s manual and official service schedule booklet.
- Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate: Collect the PUC certificate if it is provided at the time of delivery.
Why Should You Inspect Your New Car Before Delivery?
As a new car buyer, it is important to ensure that the vehicle is in perfect condition when it is handed over to you by the dealership. Completing a Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) can help avoid the hassle of facing issues after delivery. Identifying and fixing any minor or major defects before taking ownership saves time and prevents future trouble. A proper PDI checklist is essential to help with this process.
Along with checking the exterior, interior, electrical systems, and essential fluids, it is equally important to review all vehicle-related documents. Verifying documentation is a key part of the PDI process.
Caution Points While Conducting PDI
While taking delivery of your new car, it is important not to rush through the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI). Be patient and take enough time to carefully examine every part of the vehicle. A proper inspection ensures that your new car is free from defects and in perfect condition. Here are a few important points to keep in mind while preparing the new car PDI checklist:
- Take Photographs: Click photos of the car from different angles. This will help you spot any scratches, dents, or marks on the exterior.
- Bring a Family Member or Friend: Having someone with you during the inspection makes it easier to notice defects that you might miss.
- Get Help from an Experienced Person: If possible, take someone who has experience with car inspections. Their knowledge can make the PDI process smoother and faster.
- Do Not Hurry: Always inspect the car patiently. Make sure you check all areas carefully without skipping any part.
Conclusion
In this article, you have learned how to do a PDI on a car. It is important to ensure that your new car is delivered in perfect condition. Running a thorough check reduces the chances of encountering problems later on and makes you feel at peace. With the right PDI checklist, the process is easy and usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour.
This thoroughness ensures that your new car is defect-free and operational, ready for a safe and cosy driving experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
