A batch of vehicles arrives at the dealership straight from the port — bodies dusted with grime, wheels still carrying watermarks from transport. Resist the urge to wash them right away. Once the cars are cleaned, it becomes much harder to tell where the salt came from, which scratches and rust existed before arrival, or why the carpet is damp.
In coastal and humid markets, PDI should start from the vehicle's condition as it arrives at the dealer. The dealer first records the VIN, mileage, transport protection materials, parking location and time of arrival, then photographs the underbody, wheel arches, lower door edges and trunk. These records support claims and help tell whether a problem came from the sea voyage, port storage, dealership handling or the vehicle itself.
Start by seeing where the vehicle has been
Sea air, humidity, sand and high temperatures make small problems show up faster. BYD's published owner's manual lists salt, dust or moisture buildup on the chassis as a condition worth watching, and also advises cleaning the lower body areas after coastal use.
Manufacturer guidance like this is useful for ordering the checks, but the actual cleaning frequency and materials should still follow the manual that comes with the batch. Before washing, look for salt crystals, sand buildup, coating scratches and unusual rust. After washing, move the vehicle a short distance and re-check the brakes — damp brake components should not go straight into long-term storage.
Inspect the underbody details once the vehicle is on the lift
With the vehicle on the lift, start with the wheel arches, floor panel seams, welds, fasteners, exhaust system and the inside of the protective covers. Light surface oxidation, transport scuffs and corrosion that already affects the material should be recorded separately. Peru's vehicle technical inspection regulation checks whether the frame or main beams show loss of material due to corrosion or fatigue. When a dealer finds this kind of problem before delivery, there is usually more room to handle it than when the customer first brings the car in for its inspection.
After cleaning, don't rush to spray on a coat of black paint. Before adding any new undercoating or sealant, confirm the original coating material, drain locations, service marks and the areas the manufacturer allows work on. Once rust is covered up, you lose the evidence of the defect's extent and how it was treated.
Follow the traces to find where water gets in
The seal check can start at the lowest point of the trunk, the spare tire well, under the carpets and inside the door sills, then move on to the doors, tailgate, sunroof, cowl and wiring harness pass-throughs. Watermarks, dampness, musty smells or a change in sound insulation color are more telling than simply hosing water over the outside of the body.
Drain holes should stay clear. On the weatherstripping, check that the compression is continuous and that there is no transport protective film, misaligned seals or trim pinching parts. BYD's published maintenance notes for Middle East markets warn that moisture and dust trapped under the carpet can lead to corrosion, so the check should confirm there is no standing water or lasting dampness under the carpet.
Test the AC once the car warms up, and run the electrical system through several states
An AC that cools normally from a cold start only passes the first round. Once the vehicle has warmed up outdoors, test it at idle, at different fan speeds and temperatures, with interior recirculation and fresh air, with front and rear defogging, and take it for a short road test. If the outlet temperature is off, the compressor cycles frequently, condensate drainage is blocked or a smell lingers, find the cause before topping up refrigerant.
The electrical check starts with battery voltage and static warnings, then runs through the lights, windows, door locks, cameras, radar, wipers and the charging port. If water marks or green oxidation show up near the fuse box, connectors or harness pass-throughs, trace the water entry path first, then decide whether to replace or clean. For new-energy vehicles with high-voltage insulation, traction battery sealing or charging system warnings, only personnel with the proper qualifications should handle them.
It is worth keeping a status record at each stage: arrival at port, warehousing, preparation and pre-delivery. Records should be tied to the VIN, with photos, measured values, materials used, the people who did the work and re-inspection results. No issues — release the vehicle. After cleaning, drying or restoring the original condition, re-inspect. Vehicles with structural corrosion, ongoing water ingress, high-voltage insulation concerns or electrical warnings without a clear cause should be isolated pending a decision. If moisture or a fault shows up later, the dealer can still use the records to identify which stage the change happened at.
Coastal PDI record sheet
| Stage | Key checks | Handling of issues |
|---|---|---|
| At port | Damaged packaging, salt spray, water marks, battery | Photograph and link to VIN |
| Warehousing | Chassis, drain holes, connectors, seals | Clean and dry, then trace the source |
| Preparation | AC, electrical system, lights, cameras and charging port | Re-inspect after repair and keep measured values |
| Before delivery | Compare existing records with current condition | Isolate structural corrosion or high-voltage warnings pending decision |
FAQ
Does light surface rust on the chassis always mean rework?
First confirm the location, depth and whether it affects structural or functional parts. Take photos before and after cleaning; if you cannot tell, have a qualified technician inspect it rather than just covering it with paint.
Can I pressure-wash every part of the chassis?
Follow the vehicle's manual and avoid the electrical, ventilation and sealing areas that must not be pressure-washed. The cleaning approach should also differ between gasoline cars and new-energy vehicles.
If the AC smells, is replacing the cabin filter enough?
The filter is only one possible source. The evaporator, drainage, air ducts, water ingress and long-term damp storage should all be checked before deciding how to deal with it.
The vehicle was fine when it went into storage — does it need another check before delivery?
Yes. Rain, washing, movement and battery drain during storage can all change the vehicle's condition, so a pre-delivery re-check is the only way to confirm the actual state the customer receives.
When you are ready to verify a specific model and batch for South America's coastal or humid markets, contact Starvia Automotive on WhatsApp: +1 669 292 8680, or visit the Starvia Automotive official website to submit the destination country, model version, quantity and planned sales timing.
This article is compiled from manufacturer vehicle maintenance materials and Peru's official technical inspection regulation. Model specifications, maintenance requirements, supply status and export conditions are subject to the specific vehicle manual and the actual purchase order. Data verification date: 2026-08-18.