You are obviously excited about the delivery of your new car,
but WAIT! Many have paid a huge price for the resultant haste, and it’s best to
take some necessary precautions before driving away in your new machine. Team-BHP enlists all that you should check for
as a part of the pre-delivery inspection:
We recommend visiting the dealerships stockyard and checking
your car prior to registration. Once it is registered in your name, there is
little you can do. Check the car manufacturing month / year, especially when
buying in the first quarter of any year. Fiat India was notorious for selling
cars that have been manufactured up to 18 months earlier. Ascertain that the
year of manufacture is current, and the month is recent. Best way is to ask the
dealer for the "Form 22" certificate (issued by the manufacturer).
You will find the engine / chassis numbers on this certificate, while the month
/ year of manufacture are on the "road-worthiness" certificate (part
of Form 22).
If the odometer is disconnected, in all probability, the
allocated car has been used as a test-drive vehicle. Also check for any repair
jobs / body damage; damage to some cars is inevitable in transit and most
repair work is glaringly obvious.
Preparations:
Confirm: the
date of delivery with your dealership. It is best to go there only after the
car has been prepared and is ready. If you have a preference for a particular
day / time (for auspicious reasons), inform the sales person.
Daylight: We
recommend accepting delivery in broad daylight, since the dark can conceal a
lot. You may also not get good service in the evening since dealership
personnel are in a hurry to wrap the day up.
Documentation:
Ascertain that you carry any required documentation with you. This may include
forms, receipts etc.
Payments: If any
payment formalities are to be completed, carry along the relevant PDC’s / Cash
/ Credit Cards.
Third
Person: It’s always a good idea to take a relative / friend along
for suggestions, observations and comments.
Memories: Take a
camera along.
Music: Carry
a CD / cassette if your car is equipped with a stereo.
Gift:
Take a token gift along for the sales guy.
Be
Courteous: Don’t bully around. It’s a nice happy moment and the sales
staff is as excited as you are. Treat them with respect, and you will get
better service.
Get
a Demo - Part of the salesperson's job is to acquaint you with your
new car's features and how each one operates. Ask him to demonstrate the car
fully, and top to bottom, in order to understand how everything works on the
vehicle.
Visit the Service
Department: We recommend meeting the service manager and getting
familiar with the service centre facilities.
Final Inspection:
Check the car again: A lot
could have happened between the pre-registration inspection and today. It’s
best to walk around the car and ascertain that the car is super clean! Look for
any signs of repair work / damage such as paint difference, dents etc. Even the
interiors should be squeaky clean.
Check that all lights and
electric accessories are working fine.
Confirm that all the
accessories you ordered are fitted on the car.
Check that the spare wheel is
fresh. And that all related tools (spanner, jack etc.) are present. Are there
wheel locks? If so, ensure that the lug key is there in the car.
Misc.: Wipers, floor matting,
first-aid kit & hazard sign.
What is the mileage on your
car? It should not be more than a 100 km (or in the whereabouts) for most
brands.
Ensure that there is enough
fuel in the car. At least to get you to the nearest petrol pump.
Somehow, most new cars are
delivered with over-inflated tyres by the showroom. Check the tyre pressure and
make the necessary adjustments.
Tally your car's registration number on the R.C. Book, with
the number plate. Dealers are known for their carelessness here. One BHPian was
about to take delivery of his car with different numbers on the front &
rear plates!
Read the paperwork! Don't take anybody's word for anything.
Make sure all the blanks in the contract are filled in.
1. Invoice. (Check that the
Chassis and Engine number of the car matches with the Invoice and / or
Challan).
2. Sales certificate.
3. All payment receipts.
4. Registration book or
temporary certificate (Some States). Is your name spelt correctly? Are the car
chassis / engine number matching with the actual?
5. Insurance: Ensure that
coverage is valid and active.
6. Original PUC certificate.
This is valid for one year.
7. Owner’s Manual.
8. Duplicate Keys.
9. Original warranty with all
relevant dealership stamps.
10. Extended Warranty (If opted
for).
11. Warranty of third party
items such as battery, tyres etc.
12. Roadside assistance Contact
details.
13. Business cards of dealership and service personnel.
Credits: This thread has been heavily influenced by SMGs
Comprehensive thread on PDI (New Car Pre-Delivery Inspection List Part I, II,
III and IV (by Kishor Kulkarni)).
