EV PDI: What Should You Check Before Taking Delivery?

Everything that applies to a petrol or diesel car at delivery still applies to an EV — paint, panel gaps, tyres, interior, documents. An EV then adds an entire electrical domain on top of it, and most of that domain is invisible without diagnostic access. That is the gap a general delivery check leaves open.

The battery pack and its management system

• State of health and reported usable capacity, read from the vehicle rather than estimated from the range display.
• Cell voltage balance across modules — a spread that is wider than expected is worth flagging early.
• Stored fault codes in the battery management system, including historical ones that have cleared.
• Pack temperature behaviour at rest and after charging.
• Physical condition of the pack enclosure and its underbody protection.

Charging — test it, don't assume it

Charging faults are among the most disruptive problems a new EV owner can have, and they are also among the easiest to catch on delivery day. A meaningful check includes an actual charging session, not just a look at the port.

• AC charging with the supplied portable cable, confirming it locks, initiates and holds a stable rate.
• DC fast charging where a charger is accessible at or near the dealership.
• Charge port latch, lighting, flap alignment and seal condition.
• Charging cable and any wall unit supplied with the car, checked for damage and correct rating.
• Scheduled charging and charge-limit settings behaving as documented.

Thermal management and high-voltage safety

EVs run liquid or air cooling for the pack and power electronics. Coolant level and routing, pump and fan operation, and the absence of leaks around the high-voltage components all belong on the list. Orange high-voltage cabling should be intact, correctly routed and properly secured, with no chafing and no disturbed connectors.

High-voltage work requires trained handling and appropriate equipment. This is not a section of the checklist to improvise at a dealership forecourt.

Drive systems and regeneration

• Motor operation without abnormal noise under load and during coasting.
• Regenerative braking across each available level, and the transition to friction braking.
• Reduction gearbox behaviour, and drivetrain noise at low speed where it is easiest to hear.
• One-pedal driving and creep behaviour, if the vehicle offers them.

Software, connectivity and updates

Confirm the vehicle is running current software, that no update is stuck or pending, that the connected-car app pairs correctly to your account, and that over-the-air update capability is active. Software state is part of the delivered condition of a modern EV.

Documents specific to an EV

• Battery warranty terms, including the capacity-retention clause and its measurement basis.
• Charging equipment warranty and any installation entitlement for a home charger.
• Roadside assistance terms for high-voltage vehicles.

Our EV PDI service covers the battery, high-voltage, charging and software domains alongside the conventional inspection, using diagnostic equipment rather than visual judgement alone.