New-car pre-delivery inspection checklist for Mumbai buyers

By Arjun Ramanarayanan, IndiCar · Published 19 October 2026 · Tips

Odometer under 100 km, tyres no older than six to eight months, and one VIN across every paper: the checks to make before you sign for a new car in Mumbai.

Before you sign for a new car, check four things. First, the VIN on the car must match every document. Second, the odometer should read less than 100 km. Third, the tyres should be no older than six to eight months. Fourth, every electronic and safety feature should work. Then collect the right papers. Do all of this before you sign the delivery documents, not after.

How do you check the VIN, manufacturing date and odometer?

Match the VIN on the car with the invoice, and check the manufacturing date, according to HDFC Bank's PDI checklist. Vyone goes further. It says the VIN should also match the quotation, the insurance policy and the temporary registration papers.

GoMechanic says to confirm that your name is spelled correctly. The VIN, registration number, engine number and chassis number must also be stated correctly. HDFC Bank says the odometer should read less than 100 km.

What to look for on the body, tyres and cabin

Inspect the paint, lights and interiors for flaws, HDFC Bank advises. It also says to confirm that the toolkit, spare tyre and accessories are in the car. Test every electronic and safety feature before you sign anything.

Tyre age is where the sources differ slightly. CarVaidya says tyres should ideally be no older than six to eight months at delivery. Volklub's quick checklist sets a maximum of 6 months.

• Paint, lights and interiors: no flaws
• Toolkit, spare tyre and accessories: all present
• Tyres: 6 months old at most (Volklub), or six to eight months (CarVaidya)
• Electronics and safety features: all tested before signing

Which documents should you collect at delivery?

GoMechanic lists six papers to collect:

• Form 21, the sales certificate
• Form 22, the road-worthiness certificate
• The RSA copy
• The owner's manual
• The service booklet
• The PUC certificate

What does Maharashtra registration need from you?

Zurich Kotak's Maharashtra RTO page lists these papers for new-vehicle registration:

• Form 20 and Form 21
• Forms 22 and 22A
• The temporary registration
• The purchase invoice
• A valid insurance certificate
• Identity and address proof
• A PAN card or Form 60

If you buy on a loan, Zurich Kotak adds Form 34 or the financier's NOC. Hizuno says to keep a PAN card copy ready, which is needed for payments above Rs 2 lakh. It also says to keep an Aadhaar copy ready.

How do you check the insurance policy at delivery?

Zurich Kotak says IRDAI requires at least 3 years of third-party cover on a new car. Bajaj General says a bundled policy pairs a 3-year third-party cover with a 1-year own-damage cover.

Read the policy schedule. An IRDAI-filed insurer document says a new car is normally insured at 95% of its manufacturer's list price. Another says zero-depreciation cover applies only if your policy schedule shows it. If you paid for that add-on and it is not on the schedule, you are not covered for it.

How do you check the FASTag and number plate?

MyFastag says the FASTag is normally fitted when the car is sold. At delivery, confirm three things: the tag is affixed, you know which bank issued it, and it is linked to your correct registration number.

NHAI has dropped the Know Your Vehicle process for new FASTags in the Car/Jeep/Van category from February 1. A tag can be activated only after your vehicle details are validated against the VAHAN database.

The sources disagree on the number plate. PolicyBazaar says new owners in Maharashtra do not need to register for an HSRP, because the manufacturer has already installed it. Hizuno describes a different sequence: the number is assigned after approval, and you then book plate fitment with the listed vendor.

What does the on-road price breakup look like? A Skoda Slavia example

The cheapest Skoda Slavia costs Rs 11,84,498 on-road in Mumbai. That is Rs 1,84,598 more than its ex-showroom price. These figures are for the 1.0 Classic Petrol Manual, individual registration, from IndiCar's price list dated 1 October 2026.

Extra lines are worth watching for. MotoMotar reports that handling charges or logistics fees of Rs 7,000 to Rs 15,000 are often added to new-car bills. HDFC Bank advises getting a detailed breakdown of any such charge. With IndiCar, you see the itemised on-road price before you book. You can check any model with the on-road price calculator.

What changes as you move up the Slavia range?

IndiCar prices 12 Slavia variant and powertrain combinations. All are petrol, with manual and automatic gearboxes. On-road prices run from Rs 11,84,498 for the 1.0 Classic Petrol Manual to Rs 22,52,842 for the 1.5 Monte Carlo Petrol Automatic, whose ex-showroom price is Rs 18,84,000. That is a gap of Rs 10,68,344.

If the lowest entry price is your priority, the 1.0 Classic Petrol Manual is the starting point. If you need an automatic, the range includes them, up to the top Monte Carlo.

These figures cover purchase price only, not running costs. The feature differences between variants are not covered here either. You can compare all 12 combinations on the Skoda Slavia prices and configurator page.

What IndiCar confirms in writing before you book

IndiCar gives you three things in writing before you book:

• Stock availability for your exact variant and colour
• Your delivery date
• The itemised on-road price, line by line, as in the table above

With these in hand, you can run the inspection above against papers you have already seen.

How to buy a new car through IndiCar

Pick your model from all new cars with Mumbai on-road prices. Then book on indicar.in at IndiCar's itemised on-road price, with a refundable reservation.

IndiCar sources the car from partner dealer stock, and the authorised dealer invoices it. IndiCar handles registration, insurance and delivery in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane. You deal only with IndiCar. At handover, run through this checklist before you sign.

Sources

• New Car Pre-Delivery Inspection Checklist
• New Car Delivery Checklist: 20 Things to Check Before You Drive Out
• Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) Checklist for New Cars in India: What Experts Actually Check
• PDI Checklist for New Car Delivery in India - Volklub
• New Car Delivery Checklist India 2026 (20+ Points)
• Read on PDI For a New Car: What It Means and Its Inspection Checklist
• RTO Maharashtra: MH Codes, Offices, Fees and Services
• Maharashtra RTO Code List: Check RC Status, Vehicle Registration Process and Fees
• Maharashtra Vehicle Registration - Process and Documents
• Minimum Insurance Period for New Cars in India Explained
• Bundled Insurance for New Cars: Coverage and Benefits
• Bundled Private Car Long Term Policy - Vehicle Replacement Value Plus
• Private Car Policy - Bundled Add on Covers
• New Car? How to Get Your FASTag (2026 Guide)
• NHAI discontinues KYV requirement for new car FASTags from February 1
• HSRP Number Plate in Maharashtra: Registration Process and Fees
• Maharashtra Car Registration
• Essential Guide to Car Pre Delivery Inspection for New Buyers

Buying a new car through IndiCar

IndiCar arranges new-car purchases in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane. You book a new car on IndiCar at the on-road price shown on its car page, with the full price breakup: ex-showroom, RTO registration, insurance, TCS and FASTag. You book online with a refundable reservation, and IndiCar sources the car from partner dealer stock and handles the registration, insurance, paperwork and delivery.

You deal only with IndiCar from quote to delivery. Your phone number is never passed to a dealer, and you do not need to take the quote to a showroom to negotiate. See on-road prices and book or get a WhatsApp quote on +91 85916 41004.

Frequently asked questions

How many kilometres should a new car show at delivery?

Less than 100 km on the odometer, according to HDFC Bank's PDI checklist.

How old can the tyres be on a new car?

CarVaidya says ideally no older than six to eight months at delivery. Volklub's checklist sets a maximum of 6 months.

Which documents should the VIN match?

Vyone says the VIN on the car should match the quotation, invoice, insurance policy and temporary registration papers. HDFC Bank also says to check the manufacturing date.

What insurance cover must a new car have?

Zurich Kotak says IRDAI requires a minimum of 3 years of third-party cover. Bajaj General says a bundled policy combines 3-year third-party cover with 1-year own-damage cover.

Is zero-depreciation cover included automatically?

No. An IRDAI-filed insurer document says it applies only if it is shown on your policy schedule, so check the schedule at delivery.

What does the cheapest Skoda Slavia cost on-road in Mumbai?

Rs 11,84,498 for the 1.0 Classic Petrol Manual with individual registration, against an ex-showroom price of Rs 9,99,900, per IndiCar's price list dated 1 October 2026.

Tags: pdi checklist, new car delivery, mumbai, maharashtra rto, skoda slavia