[ghodlur]

Ask any true blue BHPian whether one would buy a car without pre delivery inspection and the answer probably would be a big NO. As a BHPian we also share the PDI check list which is available on the forum with many relatives and friends with a good intention for them to check the car they are taking home is free from any defects. However many a times the very same relatives and friends miss many a points from the PDI check list and may end up getting home a car with same dings, dents, paint peel off etc. To help them there are 3rd party services which do the PDI on the behalf of the owners.
Most of the 3rd party services have almost a same process setup - Call or book the inspection service, Technician/Inspector assigned, Inspection carried out, Report shared. Report details vary amongst service providers.

I have listed a few below along with the details which are available on the net.

1. PDIExpert: https://pdiexpert.com/
New car delivery: 1499
Used car delivery:1999
New Bike delivery: 299
Used bike delivery: 499
Locations serviced: Not available on website

2. Zekardo: https://zekardo.com/
New car delivery: 2500
Locations serviced: Gurgaon, Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Faridabad. Plan to start ops in Bangalore by 21st Aug and in Mumbai by 29th Aug

3. Droom: https://droom.in/inspection
Premium car inspection: 699
Premium electric car inspection: 649
Premium bike/scooter inspection: 299
Locations serviced: Covers major metros
Once can download the sample report to get an insight of the inspection done.

In case any BHPian has availed the above providers services for themselves or for others, do share your experiences.

Mods: If the subject is already being available on the forum, kindly merge. Pls move to appropriate forum if found unsuitable.

[Cresterk]

Would not trust any of these commercial PDI services but you can ask a good detailer/mechanic to check out the car. They will be able to spot any repainted or repaired panels or minor defects pretty easily while most most people would only be able to spot major defects.

For example, I missed the orange peel on the front fenders on my car when doing PDI because I didn't know such a thing even existed. It was not any actual damage or defect, just bad painting technique from the factory not using enough pressure in their paint gun. It becomes more apparent when you get a good ceramic coating as the mirror like finish now lets you see that the reflections are slightly distorted.

[2000rpm]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

In case any BHPian has availed the above providers services for themselves or for others, do share your experiences.

Mods: If the subject is already being available on the forum, kindly merge. Pls move to appropriate forum if found unsuitable.

I think, if you rate yourself at 7 or above regarding knowledge of the automobile you are buying, you dont need these services.

But if you rate yourself at a 6 or below (which is a lot of aam junta), these services can be useful.

P.S. - If you rate yourself as 7, you are probably a 6 (paraphrasing SCHUMI)

[ninjatalli]

I would take these with a heavy pinch of salt. Cars24 / OLX Cash My Car and others also boast about 99,999 inspection point schedules and we all know how worthy those inspection checks are.

Best way to do a PDI is by yourself - the team-bhp PDI is quite detailed for new cars. For used cars, the best way to do a PDI (other than doing it yourself) is to take the car to a reputed dealership (or an FNG that you trust) and get a proper inspection you can put your money behind. One could leverage these as a second opinion if needed.

[dijkstraind]

I availed the service of Zekardo last month, and I am satisfied with the service and the report they provided.

I live in Bangalore and bought a car from Delhi(for BH series number). My friend and Zekardo agent did PDI of the vehicle. After that, I traveled to Delhi for the car delivery.

[maverick27]

Originally Posted by dijkstraind

I availed the service of Zekardo last month, and I am satisfied with the service and the report they provided.

I live in Bangalore and bought a car from Delhi(for BH series number). My friend and Zekardo agent did PDI of the vehicle. After that, I traveled to Delhi for the car delivery.

Hello @dijkstraind, I am in the exact same situation as you were! I am taking delivery of my new car from Mumbai and I live in Bangalore. Going there just for PDI does not make sense and would involve a lot of expense since I would need to travel back to Mumbai to take the delivery. I wanted to know the type of checks that were performed from their end? Can we rely on them blindly or do you think it is better to involve a family member or friend/s as and when they perform these checks?

[car_aficianado]

These PDI's definitely supplement our own knowledge with regards to vehicle and brings a level of objectivity to the exercise.
I had used Zekardo in Mumbai and the entire PDI took the better part of 90 mins. It was very comprehensive and their checklist goes beyond what we would generally invisage.
For example, as part of their checks they ran their fingers across the entire seam of the vehicle starting from the bonnet. This was to check for any nicks/cuts in the paint and is something which I would have never done. Similarly depending on the vehicle and feature set, majority of the mechanical and electrical aspects are verified.

[dijkstraind]

Originally Posted by maverick27

Hello @dijkstraind, I am in the exact same situation as you were! I am taking delivery of my new car from Mumbai and I live in Bangalore. Going there just for PDI does not make sense and would involve a lot of expense since I would need to travel back to Mumbai to take the delivery. I wanted to know the type of checks that were performed from their end? Can we rely on them blindly or do you think it is better to involve a family member or friend/s as and when they perform these checks?

Don't rely on them blindly, dealership sales representative can bribe them and get favorable report, send your relative or friend with them with a basic checklist.

[maverick27]

Originally Posted by car_aficianado

These PDI's definitely supplement our own knowledge with regards to vehicle and brings a level of objectivity to the exercise.
I had used Zekardo in Mumbai and the entire PDI took the better part of 90 mins. It was very comprehensive and their checklist goes beyond what we would generally invisage.
For example, as part of their checks they ran their fingers across the entire seam of the vehicle starting from the bonnet. This was to check for any nicks/cuts in the paint and is something which I would have never done. Similarly depending on the vehicle and feature set, majority of the mechanical and electrical aspects are verified.

Thanks for your valuable inputs. Quick question, do they connect any external device to the car and get the readings for all the electronic components like how an authorised service engineer does? If not, how do they generate the report? Heard it's pretty instant from what I researched so far.

Originally Posted by dijkstraind

Don't rely on them blindly, dealership sales representative can bribe them and get favorable report, send your relative or friend with them with a basic checklist.

Agreed. That's a valid point. I will have someone accompany them. Thanks again!

[m2maddy]

Originally Posted by dijkstraind

Don't rely on them blindly, dealership sales representative can bribe them and get favorable report, send your relative or friend with them with a basic checklist.

Totally agree, doing a PDI tomorrow with Zekardo and going with them, though I have fair bit of understanding on what to check, wanted to be a little thorough and with me having to take calls in between this hopefully will be good. When you act as if you don't know much, it will help evaluate as well.

[greyhound82]

Originally Posted by maverick27

Thanks for your valuable inputs. Quick question, do they connect any external device to the car and get the readings

I availed the service of Zekardo and it was amazing and very smooth. They will check the car with paint gauges and OBD scanners. So this will complement the TBHP PDI checklist.

[m2maddy]

Originally Posted by m2maddy

Totally agree, doing a PDI tomorrow with Zekardo

Finished with the PDI, they are pretty good and found it worth the money, though for folks who have already bought a car and/or know nuances of it, not worth it, but for 1st time buyers and it's a great addon, considering you pay like 2.5k and buying a car worth 10+ Lakhs, for peace of mind it's easily worth it.

They do check Engine, oil, fluids, leaks, tyres, infotainment, paint, scratches, dent.. and do a pretty good job. In all it took nearly 1 hour 15mins and found it worth the price.

[car_aficianado]

Originally Posted by maverick27

Thanks for your valuable inputs. Quick question, do they connect any external device to the car and get the readings for all the electronic components like how an authorised service engineer does? If not, how do they generate the report? Heard it's pretty instant from what I researched so far.

Agreed. That's a valid point. I will have someone accompany them. Thanks again!

They use an OBD for the electricals, paint gauges for paint thickness and uniformity, tyre tread checker. Along with these in my case, they also used an Android and iPhone to check the connectivity + the speaker performance.

[adasisthefuture]

Hello,

I was looking for a Professional PDI Service Provider in Gujarat. Contacted Zekardo but they did not agree to come to Gujarat even after having offered them to pay for Flight Tickets and additional fees.

Are there any other companies offering similar services in India apart from Zekardo which can be contacted?

Also, any idea with regard to which scanners Zekardo uses as now a days all cities have scanners available. Is there anything superior with Zekardo ?

Thank you.

[anjan_c2007]

In my opinion for the perfect PDI we need to keep our own five senses and also the sixth activated to get it done to our satisfaction. Apart from our very own PDI perceptions, it's always advisable to take along a trusted friend or relative who is a well experienced carman/carwoman, to the showroom. If OK with the car-buyer this very carman/carwoman can be given a very befitting treat.

Depending on the third party service providers for PDI may turn out to be like placing reliance for your choice of car on a paid for, Test Drive article in the print media or on an OE favoured YouTuber for his or her car review.

Let's become "atmanirbhar" for PDI's !