Buying a new car is always attached with unparalleled happiness, excitement, and joy. But, amidst all these excitement, you shouldn’t forget to take the necessary precautions and check all the important details and paperwork, before signing the sales agreement and grabbing the keys and hitting the public road.
PDI or Pre-Delivery Inspection is a thorough process via which you can inspect the car in a detailed manner before finally doing the paperwork. It is obvious that salesperson will present the car saying that it's completely flawless and well-checked, but it's better to inspect every part of the car for our self-satisfaction personally. Here are a few points that you should keep in mind while performing PDI.
-
Carry with you a camera to click pictures of the car from different angles, notepad and pen to jot down important points, your driving license, mixed music track or CD’s to test the audio setup of the car, and go with a trusted friend.
- Write down the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle that you are buying. VIN number will help you get various details of your vehicle like production date, the location of manufacture, features and much more.
-
Check the odometer. On a general practice, the car should not have travelled more than 100 km. Also, beware, as in some cases the dealer already disconnects the odometer so that the reading shows zero. Make sure that the odometer works perfectly, and the reading is favourably within 100 km.
-
Thoroughly search the vehicle body including the mirrors, windows, and bumpers of the car for any dents, rusting, visible scratches, and signs of repair. Furthermore, don’t forget to check the fuel lids for any types of damages.
-
Check the proper working of all the lights like headlamps, stop lamps, indicators, and fog lamps. Also, check the working of the wiper blades by using a windshield wash sprayer.
-
The seats should be covered with polyethene.
-
If you find it difficult to pull the boot up, then there is some fault in the hydraulic system.
- If your car has remote locking option, then try it to check whether or not you can manually lock and unlock the doors.
-
The tyres are an essential part of a car. So, check them properly for any cracks. Also, make sure that the pressure in the tyres is not more than the required amount and that spare wheel is present.
-
The tool kit with all the necessary items should be present in the boot.
-
Next, coming to the engine, first try to pull up and shut down the engine hood to ensure it works smoothly. Do the same for all doors and windows, rear view mirrors, and fuel lid.
-
Everything in the engine must appear new and should be in good shape. Examine the condition of the engine oil by pulling out the dipstick. The engine oil should be full and should be somewhat golden in colour. Dark colour implies that the condition of engine oil isn’t good.
-
Apart from the engine oil, also crosscheck the condition of other essential fluids like the coolant, Brake Oil, Power steering oil, etc.
- Ensure that the battery is new and has its positive terminal fully covered.
-
After completing the interior and exterior inspection, take the vehicle for a test drive. Ask your friend to keep an eye on all minute details like small noises, rattles and squeaks. Make sure that the car doesn’t emit much smoke. Try to drive it in varied terrains and conditions.
-
Once the driving is complete, search for any oil leaks and engine overheating.
We hope that you keep in mind the details mentioned above before buying your brand new vehicle. A thorough inspection would ensure that nobody fools you and convince you into purchasing a defective vehicle.