With the holiday season in full swing, car buyers have lined up to take advantage of the sweet year-end discounts that dealerships across the country have to offer. However, cars come with a hefty price
tag, and for many, purchasing their first car is a lifelong experience they wish to cherish. To ensure their buying experience is a smooth ride, Indians are willing to spend a little more to be at peace and avoid the dreaded buyer’s remorse. Countless accounts of potential car buyers have surfaced online in recent years where they have explained how opting for PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) service saved them from the hassle of bringing a car home that either did not live up to their expectations or fulfilled the promises made by a certain brand’s dealership.
“I booked a PDI and went to the showroom to see the car. Before even starting the PDI, the guy checked car’s Chassis No. and to my shock it was mfg in January and not March as promised earlier! (sic)”, a car buyer wrote on Reddit’s r/CarsIndia Subreddit. The buyer alleged that they were promised a January make car by the dealership, but during the routine car inspection, they realised that the car was a March make instead. Additionally, the buyer discovered rusting issues in the car, further prompting them to avoid taking the delivery. The buyer, not impressed with the experience, instead called another dealership and eventually closed the deal.
So why is PDI so important?
“Found Issues”
A buyer, highlighting the importance of PDI, alleged that opting for car inspection ahead of taking the delivery saved them the hassle of bringing home a car with inconsistent paint on a panel.
“The service expert (SE) found a discrepancy in the paint thickness of one of the panels, indicating one added layer of paint to hide something. This could be a minor or major scratch which the dealer might have wanted to hide, so just to be cautious, I requested them to give us a different model,” wrote the buyer.
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When the dealership provided a second new car as a replacement, it reportedly had imperfections as well.
“In the second car, the SE again found an issue with the firing order of the cylinders. He mentioned that is a major issue again and we pause the PDI for that day. The dealer proposed to take us to the stockyard next day to give access to newer/more models. I paid 1,000/- for the services to the SE (sic).”
Fortunately for the buyer, the dealership offered a trip to the stockyard, granting access to a wider selection of models. The third car, too, had minor imperfections, but not deal breakers to cancel the delivery.
“The next day, a new SE came and performed the PDI. This time around there were no major issues but a few minor ones. Things which he said is fixed by the dealer before delivery or are unavoidable (like watermarks on the Chrome finish, few minor error codes on OBD etc.)”
What Is Checked During PDI?
A Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) is a detailed and meticulous check carried out by a professional car inspector for a modest fee. The expert arrives equipped with a thorough checklist to examine every aspect of the vehicle.
Defects uncovered during this inspection can vary widely: from minor cosmetic issues such as scratches and dents to serious mechanical faults.
For instance, dealerships often offer heavy discounts on unsold stock or previous-year models to clear inventory. These cars may have sat idle for months, gathering dust, developing rust, or, in worst cases, suffering water damage from flooding in the storage yard.
When buyers are already busy negotiating discounts and free accessories, it’s tempting to skip the PDI to save a small amount on an otherwise expensive purchase. However, seasoned car experts and enthusiasts strongly recommend against it. This nominal charge can range from Rs 1,500 and Rs 3,000 and can spare new owners from significant future troubles and costly repairs.
Which PDI Services Are Available In India?
Services such as Zekardo and CarVaidya have received favourable customer reviews online. Some car buyers noted that they opted for Cars24 as they couldn’t find other services in their area while residing in a Tier-3 city.
Before opting for any PDI service, we strongly recommend that car buyers check local or online reviews of the provider, as user experiences can vary significantly.
