New Car Pre Delivery Inspection Checklist. MyCarHelpline PDI Checklist before taking Delivery of New Vehicle from Dealer Showroom
Car PDI (Pre Delivery Inspection) Checklist
PDI (Pre Delivery Inspection) is one among most critical process of Car Purchase Process. A skipped PDI or Casual PDI may turn as nightmare by ruining in Car Ownership Experience.
As a Process - PDI is done before Registration of Car. If in case, vehicle is registered and PDI done post same - you cant deny car delivery (even if faults found in model) as the model is already registered in your name.
Remember - you are buying a New Car and it should be free from any Niggles - Repeating any Niggles
So a careful PDI is essence of smooth car experience.
Car PDI Inspection (What all need to be checked)
Inspecting the Car :- We recommend that you always hold a part payment atleast equivalent to Registration Cost, Insurance Premium till PDI and hand it over only post inspection of car at showroom or stockyard.
Inspecting the car :-
- Always try to inspect the car in Broad day light (rather than evenings or Artificial Light) so as to have clear view of vehicle from inside and outside.
- Decoding Manufacturing Month, Year :- Do you know how Old is your New Car is. Decode VIN Chassis
- Inspect the car minutely from exteriors from both front, rear and sides - check paint should be uniform and free from any of the scratches or any paint touch up. Do Spend in Careful few Minutes to visually check the entire exterior of the vehicle.
- Inspect Car Interiors Closely with Seats - no where should be torn or weaving defect. Closely Inspect Dashboard for clean alignment, Instrument Cluster for any visible signs of scratches or misalignment as it may signifiy tampering with wiring Harness to disconnect Car Odometer.
- Vehicle Odometer Reading should ideally be under 50 Kms. Its okay to be even at 70 or 80 Kms. However if, its beyond 90 Kms then Wait - time to Question Dealer on reason of high Odometer Reading as this does not look correct. Also if Odometer Reading is 0 (Zero Kms) - then it signifies Odometer been reset and also is something which signifies high possibility of Odometer been tampered and reset.
- Check all 4 doors, boot, bonnet and fuel lid by opening and shutting them and for and visual gaps and misalignment. Check for any rust sign on Corners, Boot Panels (however rust on Brake Disc is normal as its due to oxidation and can be gone when car driven in few kms and brakes pressed)
- Ask Sales Personnel to give you a brief demo. Check all lights, indicators, horn, steering, start the Engine for one click start, Power Window Function, Auto Fold ORVM - should be working easily. Have your friend or family member to be outside when you checking lights. Also Remember - no Warning Sign should display in Instrument Cluster (except Seat Belt sign if not worn) after 2 seconds of starting Car Engine.
- Check in Infotainment Sound, Camera (if equipped), Sunroof, AC Functioning etc to rule out any issues. Also check in Remote Key Functioning on Push Button Start, Keyless Entry, Lock/Unlock, Remote Boot Open etc.
- Check all 5 Tyres (including Spare One). Should be from same Lot, Same Brand. No Scratches on Alloys
- Do take photographs of car from all 4 sides. May be you never know, it can be of use in a future date.
Never shy from asking any Queries on your New Car. You are investing several Lakhs of your Hard Earned Money.
Car Delivery Checklist
| Documents | Checked (Tick Mark) |
| Invoice of Car - Check Model, Sub Model Details | |
| Payment Receipts - All Payments done for Accessories, RTO etc | |
| Insurance Copy (Matching Model, Sub Model, Engine, Chasis no. as in Invoice) | |
| Plan Details Mentioned on Insurance (with All included Covers, IDV Value - check that no voluntary Deduction be there in Insurance) | |
| Original Set of 2 Keys of Car | |
| RTO Road Tax Payment Receipt with Vehicle Registration Number (Never take delivery of Unregistered Car from Showroom) | |
| FastTag Sticker | |
| Check Engine Number - Chassis Number, Owner Name to Match in Invoice, Insurance, RTO Papers | |
| Warranty Papers (Car, CNG Kit if installed, Parking Sensor if installed etc) | |
| Check Validity Dates as mentioned on Warranty and Insurance | |
| Road Side Assistance Copy, Numbers | |
| Owner Manual & Service Booklet | |
| Check Accessories (Matting, Mud Flaps, Accessories or any accessory as committed) | |
| Odometer Reading Less than 70 Kms (or 100 Kms if Stockyard is at Far away Location) | |
| Inspected Exterior & Interior of Car - Scratch Free, Neat & Clean | |
| Inspect Dash, Odometer closely for evenness. No foul play should be there. Very important if car is more than 4 month old to rule out test drive car possibility where dealer can disconnect wiring from odometer | |
| Check all 4 Tyres and Spare Tyre, Tool Kit | |
| Check all Promised Accessories as been Fitted in | |
| Check Lights, Horn, Starting Car, Indicators, Music System, AC etc | |
| Asked Sales Consultant to Give Demo | |
| Take Photos of Car from all 4 Sides (Front, Rear and both Left and Right Side including Tyre) |
Very Important: Never ever take Unregistered Car Delivery from Showroom, if an Incident happened - it wont be covered under Car Insurance. A Car should either get Temporary Registration or Permanent Registration.
» Billing :- Ensure that you have sales contract copy with you at time of delivery. A Sales contract defines the vehicle make, body color, variant and pricing details with break up and discounts.. Its a proof of the undertaking of dealer to deliver car basis details of Make, Model and Prices mentioned
Dealer may hand you over separate receipts for amount paid for Registration, Road Tax and Insurance which is perfectly alright. Refer Details on - Important Tips before Making Car Booking
» Brokerage Charges: Absolutely no brokerage charges needs to be paid. In most of the states - RTO to streamline process has asked Dealers to complete registration and collect Road Tax Payment, but for same there is no Brokerage Charge and any one asking for same, should not be entertained in any way
» No Error in Name, Address, Car Chassis Number, Engine Number in Typing: Ensure that Engine, Chassis number and Vehicle Model should be same Invoice, Insurance and Warranty books.... We have seen some instances where the Engine Number and Chassis Number were not matching on Insurance and Invoice and later on endorsement is required.
Download One Pager Car Delivery Checklist - Will come in handy at time of delivery. Click Here to Download
Read - Important Tips from Booking to New Car Delivery. Click Here for New Car Buying Tips
All the Best... Happy Motoring !!!
