Prepare for pre-delivery inspection • Check the odometer reading on the dashboard.

It
should be under 100km.
What is pre-delivery inspection? Car PDI checklist for inspection of electrical
Pre-delivery Inspection is the final level of inspection
components
of the car that the dealer carries out before the car registration.
After inspecting the exterior and interior, the next step is to
The inspection includes examining the car’s exterior, interior,
test the electrical components of the new car. Here is the
electrical parts, mechanical parts, fluid levels, and accessories
checklist to check the electrical components.
(if any). Lastly, the vehicle undergoes a quick test drive to
identify any issues present in the car.
While a series of tests were already conducted in the • Start the engine and switch on the AC. Check if it
plant, many brands do a pre-delivery inspection (PDI) in order manages to cool the cabin effectively and quickly.
to ensure that the customer is not getting a defective unit. Each • Check the AC vents for accumulation of dust/dirt.
car manufacturer has its own procedure for doing a PDI. Before Also, check if there is any false odour from the air
we get onto it, let us first understand the true purpose of having pumped out of the AC.
your brand new car go through this inspection. • Check the infotainment/music system and test all
the ports and control buttons and speakers.
Car PDI checklist for physical inspection • Check if the horn and wipers are working correctly.
You can refer to the checklist and make sure that your brand
new car is in the best condition. PDI involves several checks • Check all the lights, including headlights, tail lights,
indicator lights, fog lights and interior lights.
that are explained below.Below is the checklist to inspect the
exterior of your new car. • Lastly, open the bonnet and have a look at the
battery. Check for any rusting in the terminals. Also,
• Park the car in an open space with good daylight to
ask for battery warranty-related documents.
thoroughly examine the exterior.
• Walk around the car and check for any scratches,
dents or marks. Car PDI checklist for inspection of essential fluids
• Examine different parts of the exterior to spot any A car comes with several essential fluids to keep the
differences in the paint. vehicle running smoothly. Before taking the delivery of the
car, it's necessary to check the level of those fluids. Below is
• Open and close all the doors to ensure that they lock
the checklist for fluid checks.
and operate smoothly.
• Open and close the bonnet and boot lid to ensure • Open the bonnet and pull the dipstick to check the
engine oil level. If there is a digital gauge for engine
that they open and close smoothly.
oil level on the dashboard, make sure to check it.
• Inspect the engine bay. It should be clean and free of
dirt and rust.
• Check if the coolant level is as per the
manufacturer’s recommendation by inspecting the
• Check for tangled wires, signs of oil spills, and coolant reservoir tank. The coolant should be
damaged/broken plastic parts under the bonnet. between the maximum and minimum levels.
• Check the spare tyre and wheel. They should be • Check the level of brake and power steering fluid.
brand new.
• Lastly, inspect the windscreen washing fluid level.
• Open the boot and check for broken/damaged plastic
parts, jack and spanner, OEM-provided toolkit and
Car PDI checklist for a test drive
any patched up/cut wiring harnesses.
Once you are satisfied with the car's overall condition,
• Check the front and rear windshields for any you can take the vehicle for a short test drive. It is
scratches or cracks. Also, check the window glasses recommended that you take one of the executives from the
for any visible damage. dealership while taking the car out for a drive. Here is the
• Check the tyres to confirm that they are new and checklist to follow during the test drive of your new vehicle.
have adequate tread. Check for signs of wear and
tear and ensure that the tyres are inflated as per the
• Check the acceleration and braking. There should be
manufacturer’s recommendation.
no jerk while accelerating the speed or any unusual
sound while applying brakes.
Car PDI checklist for interior inspection • Check if the car drives in a straight line when you let
Once you have examined the car's exterior, the next step go of the steering wheel. If it doesn't, the wheel
is to hop in the car and have a look at the interior. Here is the alignment needs to be corrected.Note: Let go of the
checklist to examine the interior of the new vehicle. steering wheel only when it is safe to do so.
• Check if there is any unusual noise from the car
• Examine the quality of the dashboard, seats and door suspension or chassis.
pads. Look for any signs of damage, scratches or • Ensure that the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals
marks. work correctly.
• Check the overall fit and finish of the interior.
• Make sure that the gearbox is smooth and the gear
• Check if the glove box opens and closes properly. lever works properly. Also, check the handbrake.
• Check for any stains on the front and rear seats and
the mat/carpet.
Car PDI checklist for inspection of duplicate key
• Lift the mat/carpet and check for any signs of water Every new car comes with a duplicate key, and you
seeping inside the cabin. should check if the key works properly by following the below
• Check if the windows roll up and down smoothly, checklist.
especially power windows. • Lock and unlock the doors using the duplicate key.
• Inspect the roof liner and door seals and check for • Start the car with the duplicate key.
any signs of cracks.
• Check the seat belts and other seat adjustment
controls.
• Check if the steering wheel is moving freely.
Why is it being done to your car? • Check all warranty-related documents (car,
PDI happens to be part of the quality management of a accessories, battery, etc.), and ensure that the dealer
stamps them.
car brand. That said, it is being done in order to make sure that
the vehicle to be released is road-worthy and without fault. This • Collect the Owner’s manual and Service Booklet from
means its mechanicals and other essential features are to be the dealer.
tested in order to make sure that the unit has no issues. By the • Verify any other additional documents related to
end of the test, it should then be declared if the car is ready and extended warranty, roadside assistance, etc.
safe to be driven on the road.
What should I check when inspecting my new
What happens during a pre-delivery inspection? car?
During a PDI, the manufacturer shall examine the major When inspecting a new car, check the exterior, interior,
components of the car. While this may not seem accurate for all electrical components, mechanical components, fluid levels and
manufacturers, here are the following things that will most accessories (if any). Also, check if all the features of the vehicle
likely be included on a PDI checklist. Do take note that a PDI are working correctly.
will require all of the equipment fitted to the car to protect it What happens if I find any defects in my new car
during transit to be removed in order to effectively conduct the during PDI?
inspection. If there are any defects in a brand new car, the dealer will
• Wheels - The inspector must make sure that the rectify the problem. If there is a significant defect, the issue will
locking nuts are correctly tightened and that the tires be escalated to the OEM, provided the defect/damage occurred
are well inflated in accordance with the manufacturer’s during manufacturing/transit. If the damage is caused due to
recommendations. the dealer mishandling the vehicle, the dealer will fix the
• Exterior lights - The lights must be able to function
well in any mode, be it in low beam, high beam, or
damages.
even in automatic. Notably, the alignment of the Is the test drive part of the Pre-delivery
headlights will be corrected if necessary. inspection?
• Door locks - The car’s door lock system must be well A test drive is part of the PDI because not all components can
operated through the key fob. be examined while the car is parked. To examine the
• Car’s start-up - The inspector will also check if the car components such as suspension, gearbox, steering, etc., you
will start properly. need to drive the vehicle.
• Fluids - Of course, the coolant, engine oil, and washer
should have the correct fluid level.
• Safety features - Part of the process is also ensuring
that its seatbelts and the dashboard warning lights are
working as they should.
• Checking for any physical damage - Lastly, the car
must be free from any physical damage before cleaning
it all up and delivering it to the customer.

Need for a PDI

Pre-delivery Inspection is conducted to examine the
new car for any minor or major defects. A brand new vehicle
may suffer damages during transit or handling at the
dealership. So, a pre-delivery checklist for new cars is
essential. The dealership can fix the minor issues and will
escalate any significant defects to the OEM. So, it’s crucial to
examine the vehicle before the registration process. Typically,
PDI is a standard operating procedure of a dealership before
the registration of a new car.

Why should you inspect your new car before delivery?

As a new car buyer, you should make sure that the
vehicle is in the best condition while the car is handed over to
you by the dealership. PDI will eliminate the hassle of you
facing issues with the vehicle post-delivery. It’s better to identify
and rectify minor/major issues before the vehicle is handed
over to you. A pre-delivery inspection checklist will help you in
this regard.
Apart from examining the exterior, interior, electrical
components, etc., you also need to scrutinize the crucial
vehicle-related documents. Verifying the documents is also part
of the PDI process. Below is the PDI checklist to verify
important vehicle-related documents.
• Verify the details on the original invoice. Check if the
information on the invoice matches the car you
purchased (Vehicle Identification Number, Engine
Number and Chassis Number).
• Check all payment receipts (road tax payment, car
accessories, etc.).
• Check the car insurance policy details and ensure
that the details of the vehicle are correct.
• Cross-check the vehicle registration number on the
RTO documents.