Pre-Delivery Inspection

Major Look · Dec 12th, 2004, 17:54

Do any of you ex-dealers out there know the things customers should check or watch out for when collecting a new car? Apart from a tick sheet, how do customers know that a PDI has been carried out thouroughly? It's easy to forget this is a business deal in the desire to get your hands on it and drive off into the sunset! A "customer check list" would be ideal.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated. :)

sholtby · Dec 12th, 2004, 20:42

I'm due to pick up a new car soon and I've been thinking along similar lines to yourself.
I've come to the conclusion that you should concentrate on looking for faults that if you were to find them when you got home the dealer could claim you have done. So the main check I'll be doing is looking at the quality of the paint finish and for any body damage. I'll be looking inside for any marks or tears.
Although I'll do similar checks as if I was buying second hand the dealer waranty should cover any problems.

Simon

Major Look · Dec 12th, 2004, 21:27

Hi Simon,
Are you buying a Volvo? I have a Magic Blue V70 D5 SE Geartronic due for delivery towards the end of January.

I like your reasoning - check the obvious things. We have a Nissan garage nearby who park their cars all over the front of the property with big "Buy Me" stickers on them. I noticed one had a large rusty dent in a rear panel. Some poor sod is going to buy that without realising it's been repaired already.

I'm thinking also of the options I've ordered - to make sure that they have been fitted and I know how to operate them and I'll take a test-drive with the salesman to check for obvious running problems like rattles, and that everything electrical works OK. I seem to have a good relationship with the dealer and the workshop manager (who loves talking about Volvos) so I am as confident as I can be that they care a little more than just my wallet.

sholtby · Dec 13th, 2004, 17:56

I'm buying a new Polo for my father. I was hopeing to get it by christmas but its still stuck in Spain where they are made. The garage says they dont give priority to shipping Polos due to a smaller profit margin. I've been waiting 3 months now though and was told it would be less than 1!
I rang all the garages within 100 miles for quotes and took a test drive at my local garage in a new car that a customer was waiting to pick up! I was surprised that a garage would allow new cars to be used as demonstrators so I didnt buy from them.
Examine the car as carefully as you can and by all means ask for a test drive. Until you part with your money you are in the commanding position.

Simon

Dec 12th, 2004, 17:54	#1
Major Look VOC Member Last Online: Jan 8th, 2024 22:29 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Yateley, Hampshire	Pre-Delivery Inspection Do any of you ex-dealers out there know the things customers should check or watch out for when collecting a new car? Apart from a tick sheet, how do customers know that a PDI has been carried out thouroughly? It's easy to forget this is a business deal in the desire to get your hands on it and drive off into the sunset! A "customer check list" would be ideal. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. :)

Dec 12th, 2004, 20:42	#2
sholtby Premier Member Last Online: May 26th, 2010 20:17 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: north east	RE: Pre-Delivery Inspection I'm due to pick up a new car soon and I've been thinking along similar lines to yourself. I've come to the conclusion that you should concentrate on looking for faults that if you were to find them when you got home the dealer could claim you have done. So the main check I'll be doing is looking at the quality of the paint finish and for any body damage. I'll be looking inside for any marks or tears. Although I'll do similar checks as if I was buying second hand the dealer waranty should cover any problems. Simon

Dec 12th, 2004, 21:27	#3
Major Look VOC Member Last Online: Jan 8th, 2024 22:29 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Yateley, Hampshire	RE: Pre-Delivery Inspection Hi Simon, Are you buying a Volvo? I have a Magic Blue V70 D5 SE Geartronic due for delivery towards the end of January. I like your reasoning - check the obvious things. We have a Nissan garage nearby who park their cars all over the front of the property with big "Buy Me" stickers on them. I noticed one had a large rusty dent in a rear panel. Some poor sod is going to buy that without realising it's been repaired already. I'm thinking also of the options I've ordered - to make sure that they have been fitted and I know how to operate them and I'll take a test-drive with the salesman to check for obvious running problems like rattles, and that everything electrical works OK. I seem to have a good relationship with the dealer and the workshop manager (who loves talking about Volvos) so I am as confident as I can be that they care a little more than just my wallet.

Dec 13th, 2004, 17:56	#4
sholtby Premier Member Last Online: May 26th, 2010 20:17 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: north east	RE: Pre-Delivery Inspection I'm buying a new Polo for my father. I was hopeing to get it by christmas but its still stuck in Spain where they are made. The garage says they dont give priority to shipping Polos due to a smaller profit margin. I've been waiting 3 months now though and was told it would be less than 1! I rang all the garages within 100 miles for quotes and took a test drive at my local garage in a new car that a customer was waiting to pick up! I was surprised that a garage would allow new cars to be used as demonstrators so I didnt buy from them. Examine the car as carefully as you can and by all means ask for a test drive. Until you part with your money you are in the commanding position. Simon

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