Maxim Truck & Trailer is a commercial dealer in Canada that’s been selling new heavy-duty trucks, buses and trailers for over four decades. Each of our new vehicles is manufactured in the USA or Mexico and gets transported or driven to one of our dealerships in Canada where it is sold. Before each new vehicle is delivered to a customer, it receives a PDI – Pre-Delivery Inspection. We’ve performed thousands of PDIs over the years, so we thought we’d share our insights on the PDI process and why it’s important for new vehicle owners.
What happens during a PDI?
Manufacturers generally provide a detailed checklist – usually by model (LT, RH, etc.) – that the dealership must go through. Kind of like the CVIP. These checklists include Walk-Around, In-Cab, Under Vehicle, Under Hood, and Test Drive components with each area comprised of many checklist items.
Another very important part of a PDI is checking for damages that may have happened at the factory or while the vehicle was in transit to the dealership. When customers take possession of a new vehicle, there is zero tolerance for any imperfections or damages. The PDI is intended to catch and fix any damages before going to the customer.
Lastly, a PDI can include installation of accessories. The sales rep works with the PDI Technicians to order any additional accessories or modifications that the customer has requested. This could include winter fronts or engine and bunk heaters on commercial trucks and tarps or tire swaps on commercial trailers for example.
How much mechanic time is allotted for a PDI?
Every dealer and every vehicle manufacturer are different but at Maxim, PDI hours allotted are 5-7 hours for a commercial truck or bus and 2-3 hours for a commercial trailer. While a typical PDI for a passenger vehicle may be more in the 1–2-hour range, commercial vehicle PDIs have more touchpoints and require more time to perform. This is especially true for large Semi Trucks and School Buses that carry 30 plus children each day.
Walk Around Inspection
In-Cab Inspection
Under Vehicle Inspection
Underhood Inspection
Inspection Completion & Closeout
