PDI & New Car Prep

Free Vehicle Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) Checklist & Intake Form

Delivering a brand-new vehicle with unspotted transit scratches or delivery swirl marks creates immediate dealership chargebacks and customer disputes. Standardize factory transport intake, PDI detailing prep, and client handover with this free printable PDF checklist.

Interactive Document Builder

Customize Your Free Pre-Delivery Inspection Waiver

Type your shop name and toggle clauses below. The document preview updates in real-time.

Factory Transit Wrap & Adhesive Removal Disclaimer

Protects delivery prep technicians from pre-existing micro-scratches concealed beneath factory protective transit film.

Factory Paint Finish & Assembly Imperfections

Establishes that factory orange peel, minor dust nibs, or panel gap tolerances are manufacturing conditions.

Transport Mileage & Delivery Verification

Records delivery odometer reading to prove mileage prior to client drive-off.

Delivery Accessories, Window Sticker & Key Fob Handover

Verifies physical handover of loose factory items (window sticker, floor mats, 2nd key fob, wheel locks).

Client Handover Sign-Off & Delivery Acceptance

Locks in customer cosmetic acceptance at vehicle pickup.

Live Print PreviewCompact 1-Page Layout (8.5" x 11")
Stop Printing Paper in Wet Bays

Run This Exact Intake Waiver on Your Phone in 90 Seconds

Paper gets ruined by wash water and cannot attach macro damage photos. DetailSafe maps damage by zone, captures customer e-signatures on your screen, and generates branded cloud PDFs automatically.

Get 10 Free Inspections

No credit card required • Instant phone walkarounds

Legal & Industry Guide

Why Auto Detailers Need Specialized Liability Agreements

Standard generic waivers fail in small claims court and merchant chargeback disputes. Here is what makes this contract defensible.

The "Washed Dirt" Legal Precedent

When heavy road contamination and wax are stripped during washing and claying, deep scratches and clear coat failure are exposed. Without an explicit Washed Dirt disclosure, customers often presume the detailer created the defect during polishing.

Two-Stage Verification (Intake + Pickup)

Signing only at intake leaves you vulnerable to claims after the customer leaves. Capturing a post-service handover signature locks in customer satisfaction upon vehicle key return and sets a strict 48-hour discovery window.

Limitation of Financial Liability

In the event of a dispute, this clause caps maximum financial damages to the actual dollar amount paid for the detailing package, preventing disproportionate claims against small shops.

Bailment & Property Release

Protects technicians from claims regarding sunglasses, cash, radar detectors, or firearms inadvertently left in gloveboxes or trunk storage during thorough interior extractions.

Paper Waivers vs. DetailSafe Digital Shield

Paper sheets are a good starting point, but mobile detailing in wet driveways demands faster, tamper-evident digital proof.

Workflow & Legal Defense CapabilityDetailSafe (Digital)Printed Paper Form
Macro Photo Evidence Tied to Vehicle Zones

Attach close-up scratch photos directly to hood, door, or bumper sub-zones

Waterproof & Driveway Ready (Offline Mode)

Operate in wet wash bays without ruined, soggy paper sheets

Immutable UTC Timestamp & Audit Trail

Verifiable electronic signature record for court and chargeback defense

Instant Searchable Cloud Storage (by VIN & Name)

Pull up signed intake condition reports from 6 months ago in 3 seconds

White-Label Shop Branding & PDF Themes

Your shop logo and color theme on all customer documents

Manual Print

Related Workflows, Features & Guides

Explore tailored solutions built for professional auto detailers and recon shops.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About This Agreement

Why is a digital PDI checklist essential for dealerships and delivery centers?

Paper PDI forms get separated from deal jackets and lack timestamped photo evidence. DetailSafe creates an immutable digital record with high-res photos that protects sales and service departments from false damage claims post-delivery.

Can auto detailers use this PDI form for new car prep and ceramic coating?

Yes. Detailers performing "New Car Prep" packages use this checklist to document factory buffer trails, transport scratches, and paint thickness before installing PPF or ceramic coatings.

How does DetailSafe speed up dealership pre-delivery inspections?

DetailSafe decodes VINs in seconds, maps pre-existing cosmetic flaws across 6 visual zones, and captures customer e-signatures on a phone or tablet in under 90 seconds.