A buyer in Gurugram took delivery of a new Creta. Looked perfect. Three weeks later — paint bubbling near the B-pillar. Dealer said: "Sir, yeh toh outside damage hai." No PDI on record. No proof. Case closed. Don't be that buyer.
PDI — Pre-Delivery Inspection — is the one step between paying for your new car and actually owning a problem-free one. It costs you 30 minutes. Skipping it can cost you thousands.
Dealers rarely encourage it. Some actively rush you past it. There's a reason for that.
This guide gives you the full PDI checklist — what to check, where to look, and what to do if your dealer pushes back.
What is PDI and Why Dealers Rush It
PDI stands for Pre-Delivery Inspection. It's your right to inspect the car thoroughly before accepting delivery and signing the delivery receipt.
Before a car reaches your hands, it travels from factory to stockyard to dealer lot. That's often weeks — sometimes months. During that time:
Dealers rush PDI because a thorough inspection slows the delivery process and — more importantly — creates documented proof if something is wrong. No PDI record means no paper trail. No paper trail means no warranty claim leverage for you.
Before You Go: What to Bring
Exterior PDI Checklist
Do this outside, in natural daylight. Showroom lighting hides paint defects by design.
Paint and Body
Panel Gaps and Alignment
Glass and Rubber
Tyres and Wheels
PDI Checklist for New Car Delivery in India
Don’t let delivery-day excitement hide costly issues. Inspect the car properly before you sign anything.
→ Avoid hidden damage before delivery
Interior PDI Checklist
Trim and Fit
Electronics and Controls
Odometer and Instruments
Under the Hood — Basic Checks
You don't need to be a mechanic. You just need to look.
Documents to Verify Before Signing
Do not sign the delivery receipt until you have verified all of the following:
Important: The warranty period starts from the delivery date. Make sure the date on your warranty card is correct. Some dealers backdate or leave it blank — both are problems.
What To Do If the Dealer Refuses PDI
It happens. Here's how to handle it without losing your cool or your leverage
PDI Checklist for New Car Delivery in India
Don’t let delivery-day excitement hide costly issues. Inspect the car properly before you sign anything.
→ Avoid hidden damage before delivery
In most cases, the threat of escalation is enough. Dealers know PDI is your right. They just bank on buyers not knowing it.
Quick Reference Checklist (Print This)
Use this at the showroom. Tick each item. Don't sign until you're done.
| Exterior | ||
|---|---|---|
| Paint — no scratches, chips, or swirl marks | Check in natural light | |
| Roof — clean, no damage | ||
| All panel gaps even on both sides | Bonnet, doors, boot | |
| No colour mismatch between panels | ||
| All doors open, close, and seal properly | ||
| Windshield and all glass — no chips or cracks | ||
| Tyre brand, size, and DOT date consistent across all 4 | Max 6 months old | |
| Spare tyre present and inflated | ||
| Alloys — no kerb damage | ||
| Interior | ||
|---|---|---|
| All trim panels secure — no rattles | ||
| Seat upholstery — no cuts or stains | ||
| All four power windows working | ||
| All AC vents blowing cold | ||
| All speakers working | Test with balance/fade | |
| Infotainment — Bluetooth, CarPlay/AA working | ||
| All USB/charging ports working | ||
| All lights working (head, tail, fog, hazard, brake) | ||
| Horn working | ||
| Reverse camera — clear image | If equipped | |
| Odometer reading below 50 km | ||
| Engine Bay | ||
|---|---|---|
| Engine bay clean — no leaks or loose cables | ||
| All fluid levels correct | Oil, coolant, brake fluid | |
| Battery terminals clean | Check manufacturing date | |
| Engine start — no unusual noise at idle | ||
| Documents | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chassis and engine number match invoice | ||
| Colour and variant match order | ||
| All accessories present per invoice | ||
| Warranty card stamped with today's date | ||
| Service booklet present and unstamped | ||
| Owner's manual present | ||
| Two keys handed over | ||
Strong Consumer Angle
Dealers do PDI every day. Most buyers do it once in their life.
Final Word
The showroom is designed to make you feel celebratory. Mithai, photos, garlands. That feeling is engineered to lower your attention.
30 minutes of inspection protects a purchase you spent months planning and lakhs earning. Don't skip it.
Found an issue during PDI? Don't accept delivery. Request rectification in writing before you sign anything. A dealer who resists is a dealer who knows something is wrong.
Share this guide with anyone buying a new car. Forward the checklist. PDI is only useful if buyers actually use it.