PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) Activity Process in DMS

Overview

What is PDI?

PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) is a mandatory quality inspection process performed on newly received vehicles before they are delivered to customers. The purpose of PDI is to ensure that the vehicle is free from transportation damage, manufacturing defects, missing accessories, battery issues, fluid shortages, software issues, or any operational abnormalities.

The PDI process acts as the dealership’s final quality control checkpoint before customer delivery.

Industry Standard Process Explanation

In automobile dealerships, every newly inwarded vehicle must undergo a systematic Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) before delivery readiness approval.

The standard industry process includes:

• Visual inspection of the vehicle
• Functional inspection of electrical and mechanical components
• Transit damage verification
• Fluid and tyre inspection
• Battery and charging verification
• Accessories and toolkit verification
• Software or firmware verification
• Final delivery readiness approval

If any transit damage or defect is identified during PDI:

• A PDI Job Card is created
• Repairs are performed
• Insurance estimates may be generated if applicable
• Vehicle is repaired before delivery

The DMS PDI process helps dealerships:

• Maintain OEM compliance
• Improve customer satisfaction
• Reduce delivery complaints
• Maintain inspection traceability
• Digitally record vehicle quality checks
  

Navigation Path

Go to:

Workshop → PDI

Understanding the PDI Due Worksheet

After opening the PDI module:

The PDI Due Worksheet screen will display all:

• Newly inwarded vehicles
• Pending PDI vehicles
• Vehicles awaiting inspection

Each vehicle entry provides options to:

• Perform PDI Checklist
• Create Job Card
• Create Estimate
• Upload Vehicle Images
• Print Blank Checklist

Step-by-Step Process to Perform PDI Activity

Step 1: Open PDI Module

1. Login to DMS
2. Navigate to:
   • Workshop
   • Click on PDI
3. The PDI Due Worksheet screen will open
   

Step 2: Identify the Vehicle for PDI

In the worksheet:

• Locate the vehicle requiring PDI
• Verify:
  • Chassis Number
  • Vehicle Model
  • Variant
  • Color
  • Stock Details

Only newly inwarded vehicles will appear in this list.

Step 3: Understand Available Options

Against each vehicle, the following actions are available:

Step 4: Download Blank PDI Checklist (Optional)

Purpose

Technicians may perform inspections physically in the yard or stock area where system access may not be available.

In such cases:

1. Click on Blank Checklist
2. Download or print the checklist
3. Technician manually updates inspection observations
4. Later update the same details in DMS
   

Step 5: Open PDI Checklist

1. Click on PDI Checklist
2. The PDI Inspection Checklist screen opens

This screen contains multiple inspection checkpoints.

Step 6: Perform Vehicle Inspection

The technician/advisor must inspect the vehicle thoroughly.

Standard Industry PDI Inspection Areas

A. Exterior Inspection

Verify:

• Scratches
• Dents
• Paint damage
• Glass damage
• Panel alignment
• Bumper condition
• Headlamp condition
• Tail lamp condition

B. Interior Inspection

Verify:

• Seat condition
• Dashboard condition
• Instrument cluster
• Switch functionality
• Infotainment system
• Warning indicators

C. Electrical Inspection

Check:

• Horn
• Indicators
• Headlights
• Tail lamps
• Battery voltage
• Charging system
• USB/mobile charging ports

D. Mechanical Inspection

Verify:

• Brake operation
• Steering movement
• Suspension noise
• Accelerator operation
• Clutch functionality (if applicable)

E. Fluid Inspection

Inspect:

• Engine oil
• Brake oil
• Coolant
• Washer fluid

F. Tyre Inspection

Check:

• Tyre pressure
• Tyre condition
• Wheel alignment condition

G. Accessories Verification

Ensure availability of:

• Toolkit
• Owner manual
• Spare key
• Charger (EV)
• OEM accessories

Step 7: Update Checklist in DMS

After completing inspection:

1. Tick/check all applicable checklist items
2. Ensure every mandatory checkpoint is completed
   

Important Validation Rule

Note

If even one mandatory checkbox is not selected:

• PDI will NOT be considered completed
• Vehicle will remain in Pending PDI list

Therefore:

• All required checklist points must be checked before saving

Step 8: Save PDI Checklist

1. Click on Save
2. System validates checklist completion

If all checkpoints are completed:

• Vehicle status changes to PDI Done

Step 9: Upload Vehicle Images (Optional)

You can upload vehicle inspection images.

Recommended images:

• Front view
• Rear view
• Left side
• Right side
• Odometer
• Transit damage (if any)

Important Note

Image upload is optional but highly recommended for:

• OEM audits
• Delivery proof
• Transit damage documentation
  

Step 10: Verify PDI Completion

After successful save:

• Vehicle status changes to PDI Done
• Vehicle disappears from Pending PDI list

This indicates:

• Inspection completed successfully
• Vehicle is ready for next stage

Step 11: Create PDI Job Card (If Damage Found)

If any defect or transit damage is identified:

1. Click on Create Job
2. System opens Service Job Card screen

Important System Behaviour

When job card is created from PDI screen:

• Service Type automatically becomes:
  PDI
• This service type cannot be edited manually

This ensures:

• Proper job classification
• Correct reporting
• Accurate workshop tracking

Step 12: Follow Standard Job Card Process

After job card creation:

Proceed with standard workshop operations:

• Add complaints
• Add labor
• Add spares
• Perform repairs
• Close job card
• Bill if applicable

Step 13: Create Estimate (If Insurance Applicable)

If transit damage involves insurance claim:

1. Click on Estimate
2. Create repair estimate
3. Add:
   • Labor
   • Spare parts
   • Other charges
4. Generate estimate print
5. Share with insurance company for approval
   

Important Notes

Note 1: PDI Must Be Completed Before Delivery

Vehicle should never be delivered without:

• Completed PDI
• Final quality approval
• Damage verification

Note 2: Transit Damages Must Be Documented

If transit damage exists:

• Capture images immediately
• Raise job card
• Create estimate if needed
• Inform OEM/insurance team

Note 3: Incomplete Checklist Means Pending PDI

Even a single unchecked mandatory item will:

• Keep vehicle in pending list
• Prevent completion

Note 4: PDI Improves Customer Satisfaction

Proper PDI reduces:

• Delivery complaints
• Immediate breakdowns
• Customer dissatisfaction
• Repeat workshop visits
  

Industry Standard Best Practices

Recommended Dealership Practices

Always Perform:

• Battery voltage test
• Diagnostic scan
• Tyre pressure verification
• Fluid level inspection
• Charging system verification
• Software update verification

Maintain Proper Documentation

Keep:

• PDI checklist records
• Technician accountability
• Vehicle images
• Transit damage evidence
• Repair history

Recommended Before Delivery

Ensure:

• Vehicle washed and cleaned
• Fuel updated
• Accessories fitted
• No warning lights
• Vehicle road tested

Business Benefits of Proper PDI Management

A properly managed PDI process helps dealerships:

• Improve vehicle quality
• Improve delivery standards
• Reduce warranty complaints
• Improve OEM audit scores
• Improve customer satisfaction
• Reduce delivery delays
• Maintain stock quality visibility

Conclusion

The PDI Activity process in DMS ensures that every newly inwarded vehicle undergoes systematic inspection and quality verification before delivery.

By following the standard PDI process:

• Vehicle quality is maintained
• Transit damages are identified early
• Delivery standards improve
• Customer satisfaction increases
• OEM compliance requirements are fulfilled

The PDI process acts as the dealership’s final quality assurance gate before vehicle handover.