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Image with PDI signs indicated where commercial trucks and trailer should go

The Ultimate Guide to Pre-Delivery Inspections for Commercial Trucks, Trailers and Buses

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Pre-Delivery Inspections

1	What is a PDI? Anyone buying a new vehicle may notice a “PDI” line item on their bill of sale. PDI stands for Pre-Delivery Inspection. It applies to new vehicles. The PDI represents the final inspection that a vehicle goes through before it is delivered to the end customer and registered to travel over the road. The truck, bus or trailer will be examined top to bottom including the paintwork, interior and engine to check for any defects which may have been missed during the manufacturing process. In short, the PDI process helps ensure that a new vehicle delivered to a customer doesn’t come back to the dealership with a problem soon after delivery.
2	Don’t new vehicles get inspected at the factory – why do they need to be inspected again at the dealership? Yes, Manufacturers have their own version of the PDI that they go through before releasing a vehicle from the factory. But the dealer PDI is the all-important final step in the process. No matter how good the manufacturer is, there are always issues that come up – it may be minor but it’s part of a thorough checklist. And in some cases, for newer models especially, there may be issues like air lines routed incorrectly causing wear or electrical harnesses that may be too close to the exhaust pipe. Those are things caught and rectified during a PDI.
3	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.
4	How are new commercial vehicles delivered from the factory to dealerships While most passenger cars and pickup trucks are transported by rail and truck carrier, larger commercial vehicles are generally driven from the factory they were built at to the dealership where they are sold. Some trucks and even deck trailers can be stacked to allow for the transport of two or three units together. In the case of larger commercial vehicles manufactured in Mexico or the USA, these units are driven or towed to dealerships all over North America including Canada where Maxim Truck & Trailer is located. A commercial bus for example is not stacked or decked. Each bus is driven up to 1,000 miles from a factory in Oklahoma to our location in Central Canada. And new 53-foot semi-trailers get hauled over the road from the manufacturing plant in Indiana over 1,000 miles to our location in Central Canada.
5	Who performs the PDI at a Dealership? PDI’s at Maxim and most other dealerships are performed by mechanics. At Maxim, our commercial PDIs are performed by seasoned journeyman technicians. Further, at Maxim, our PDI Technicians are focused exclusively on performing PDIs, so they are proficient at this important step for new vehicles performing hundreds of PDIs each year.
6	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.
7	Can you opt-out of a PDI to save money? No. The PDI checklist is a requirement imposed on the Dealer by the Manufacturer. It is meant to ensure the vehicle is completely safe and in good working order prior to delivering it to the customer. Generally, the PDI is a requirement to validate the new vehicle warranty so without a PDI – the warranty may not be valid. And at Maxim, we won’t release a new vehicle to a customer without performing a PDI to ensure it’s completely safe and operational. Following are examples of three PDI Checklists for Commercial Trucks, Commercial Buses and Commercial Trailers. As you can see, the checklists are much more involved for Trucks and Buses than for Trailers which explains the significant difference in mechanic time allotted to each. These are just examples that will vary by Manufacturer and Dealer.

Truck Pre-Delivery Inspection Checklist

Prepare Vehicle for Inspection

Position wheel chocks
Charge battery - 55 or 70 amp Smart Charger - 1.0 hour minimum
Perform MidTronics Battery Pack Test (Refer to WPL 14-004G for submission guidelines if applicable)
Research VIN for Recalls/Updates

Walk Around Inspection

Batteries, cables, cover - routing, tight, greased - Check
Exterior components - damage, body/paint, exterior lamps, operative/frame paint coverage - Visual
Wheel lug nut torque - Check
Front wheel bearing lube level - Visual
Tires - damage, foreign objects, inflation pressure, valve caps present/secure - Check

In-Cab Inspection

Windshield Wiper/washer - functional - Check
Signs of water/dust leakage - doors, cab roof, glass - Visual
Restraints, seats, windows, mirrors - secure, functional - Check
Instrument panel gauges - functional - Visual
Interior components & floor mat - condition, secure - Check
Sleeper and Accessories - clean, secure, fuctional - Check
Clear inactive fault codes and if necessary, perform In Transit Speed Adjustment (refer to iKnow Document IK3100002)
2 keys, 2 fuel cap keys & keyless entry present/ functional (if equipped)
Operator’s Manual, other documentation present – Visual
Lights – interior & instrument panel – functional – Check

Under Vehicle Inspection

Under vehicle routing/clipping - all components secure and meet specs - Visual
Front and rear axle u-bolts - check torque, adjust to spec as necessary
All underside components - inspect for damage and/or leakage, including:
- Steering gear/linkage
- Engine
- Transmission
- Propeller shafts/driveline hangers
- Drive axles
- Exhaust system

Underhood Inspection

Air filter snorkel boot - properly secured - Visual
Underhood routing/clipping - all components secure and meet specs - Visual
Engine oil level - level between "Min" and "Max" - Check
Coolant level - level between "Min" and "Max" - Visual
Transmission fluid level - if no leakage evident, no action required - Visual
Power steering reservoir - if no leakage evident, no action required - Visual
Brake fluid level (if equipped) level between "Min" and "Max"– Visual
Hydraulic clutch fluid (if equipped) level between "Min" and "Max" - Visual
All fluid, exhaust, air systems leak-free - Visual

Inspection Completion & Closeout

Remove & discard all protective coverings, tags, internal use labels, tape
Write PDI location code & date on door jamb VIN label
Place completed copy of PDI form in folder with all other vehicle documentation
Provide completed copy of PDI form to Service Manager for storage

See an Example Checklist

Trailer Pre-Delivery Inspection Checklist

Inspect trailer interior and exterior for damages
Ensure body and door hardware isn't missing (Holdbacks, reflective tape, hinge pins, etc.)
Check lights. Repair as required
Inspect sub frame, suspension/bushings, undercarriage, dust shields for tightness (if applicable)
Chek and adjust wheel alignment as required, record measurements on attached sheet
Torque quick align bolts to 500 ft/lbs
Check wheel seals and top up hub oil levels if required
Check wheel bearings adjustments and adjust if required
Ensure ABS is operating correctly and lights go out
Torque wheel nuts to spec.
Check air system and brake components, set brake adjustments
Check dolly leg operations
Grease legs, brakes (Slacks, inner & outer cam bushings)
Check and adjust tire pressure to 100 p.s.i.
Ensure rear doors open/close and seal properly
Install Manitoba Safety decal and paper