Vehicles prepared for delivery in La Paz and other highland areas pass through international transport, border or inland customs, warehousing, and transshipment. High-altitude starting, coolant, A/C, and brake condition are not always visible at a glance, so the handling process and final results must be tied to the VIN before delivery. Core conclusion: release depends on per-vehicle cooling, A/C, and brake records and re-verification results; a normal appearance or a single working function does not justify release. The Bolivian Customs vehicle import topic page is used to check vehicle import and technical requirements, while PDI records are used to prove the actual condition of the vehicle.
Take photos before moving or washing
Before deciding whether to continue with delivery, and before the vehicle is moved, washed, or charged, take a complete set of photos covering the four corners of the body, the roof, glass, wheels, visible chassis areas, odometer, battery level or fuel level, and dashboard warnings. Cross-check the VIN on the bill of lading or handover document against the vehicle one by one. If anything abnormal appears at transport tie-down points, door edges, the lower bumper edge, or around the charging port, preserve the evidence first and then handle it.
Environmental information for high-altitude delivery is available on the Bolivian ABC road condition information page. A clean exterior does not mean the drains, seals, connectors, and battery are problem-free; these still need to be checked on every vehicle.
Raise the vehicle to recheck the underbody and seals
Skid plates, suspension connections, brake lines, and areas near exhaust or high-voltage components cannot be checked by ground-level visual inspection alone. Recheck for salt, water traces, scratches or impacts, loose fasteners, and blocked drain holes. After washing, the vehicle must dry completely and be re-verified; coatings must not be used to cover rust or moisture of unknown origin.
The BYD Song L DM-i can be included among delivery sample vehicles, but the PDI checklist must be built around the specific VIN, powertrain type, and the vehicle's own manual.
High-altitude delivery PDI record table
| Stage | Key items to record | Action for abnormalities |
|---|---|---|
| Port arrival handover | VIN, appearance, tires, instrument panel, and transport tie-down points | Preserve evidence and assign transport responsibility |
| High-altitude starting check | Cold start, idle, warnings, and coolant condition | Confirm the cause before continuing |
| Preparation and A/C | A/C modes, doors and windows, lights, and charging function | Repair and re-verify completely |
| Before delivery | Compare original records with current condition item by item | Do not deliver with unresolved safety abnormalities |
Test cold, hot-soak, and sleep states
A/C and defogging should be tested when the vehicle is cold, after hot soak, at idle, and at low speed. The electrical recheck should cover starting, switching off, sleep after locking, and waking again. For new energy vehicles, if warnings appear for high-voltage insulation, traction battery sealing, or the charging system, the work should be handed to qualified personnel.
FAQ
Is a normal cold start at high altitude enough to deliver the vehicle?
No. You still need to complete the records and re-verification for coolant, A/C, brakes, and electrical systems; a normal start only covers one of these items.
Does a normal coolant level mean the cooling system is fine?
You cannot draw that conclusion directly. At high altitude you also need to look at coolant temperature, warnings, A/C load, and idle behavior; the level is only one check item.
Is slow A/C cooling at high altitude a fault?
First check the refrigerant, cooling fan, hot-soak state, and A/C mode records to confirm whether the problem reproduces under the same conditions, then handle it according to the contract.
Which problems should block delivery?
If cooling, brake, and safety-related abnormalities are not identified and re-verified, the vehicle stays isolated pending review; a nearing delivery date does not justify shortening the inspection.
To verify models, CIF quotes, and delivery documents for the Bolivian market, you can contact Starvia Automotive, or discuss procurement needs via WhatsApp: +1 669 292 8680.
This article is compiled from the Bolivian Customs vehicle import topic page, ABC road condition information, and whole-vehicle delivery principles. The specific PDI checklist should be determined according to the model, VIN, transport contract, and local requirements. Information re-verified on: 2026-08-20.