Is the PDI inspection report given to the car owner?
2 Answers
The PDI inspection report is not given to the car owner to take away. However, the 4S store staff will explain the contents and results of each inspection item in the PDI inspection report to the customer. The PDI inspection report usually appears in the form of a table. It is a mandatory inspection that must be passed before the delivery of a new car, conducted by a specialist from the service department, with the car owner present to inspect and confirm that all inspection items are normal before signing. More details are as follows: 1. PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) is the pre-sale inspection record of the vehicle. After the new car rolls off the production line and before it is sold, it may take as short as one or two months or as long as half a year or even a year. During this waiting period, various problems may occur with the new car. Therefore, a pre-sale inspection is conducted before selling the car to the consumer to ensure there are no issues. It is a mandatory inspection that must be passed before the delivery of a new car. 2. According to standard procedures, a PDI inspection form (pre-sale inspection certificate) with at least forty items must be filled out during vehicle handover. If purchasing a high-end car, this process is usually very formal. Do not blindly sign the inspection form. Signing means the user agrees to the condition of the vehicle at the time of sale. 3. The PDI inspection includes checking the data of various control module systems, fuel system, lighting system, braking system, air conditioning system, steering system, cooling system, inspecting the wheels including the spare tire and tire pressure, battery, various fluid levels, and engine compartment wiring harness, cleaning the engine compartment and body surface, and removing the vehicle transport mode, etc. 4. There are also some detailed inspections, such as whether the battery is charging and discharging normally, whether the key memory function is matched, whether the comfort system is activated, whether the instrument light functions are set to the factory requirements, etc.
As a new car owner, I paid special attention to the PDI report when taking delivery. Generally, dealers conduct a comprehensive inspection before handing over the car, and the report records details such as whether the engine is running properly and whether the tire pressure meets standards. This report should absolutely be given to the owner—I proactively asked the salesperson for it and compared each item after receiving it. I found a note about loose screws, which were promptly fixed to avoid potential hazards. If the dealer refuses to provide it, the owner has the right to insist on obtaining it—it's a basic consumer right. If they delay, escalate the matter directly to the manager or through complaint channels. Keep the report safe, as it can serve as evidence for any future quality issues. I recommend that owners confirm the report's contents upon delivery to avoid hidden problems.
