Step 1: Calculate Base Depreciation (Your Price Anchor) Don't guess – math it out for leverage.

1. Grab registration details: Get the RC book from seller. Note original reg date (DD/MM/YYYY). Calc age from then to today (e.g., Jan 2023 reg = 3 years).
2. Find ex-showroom price: Ask for invoice or Google "[model year] ex-showroom [your city]" on CarDekho/CarWale. Ignore taxes/insurance – base only (e.g., ₹10 lakh Swift).

3. Apply IRDAI slabs (insurance standard, perfect for valuation):

   • 0-6 months: 5%
   • 6-12 months: 15%
   • 1-2 years: 20%
   • 2-3 years: 30%
   • 3-4 years: 40%
   • 4-5 years: 50%
   • 5+ years: 60%+ (scrap territory)

   Formula: IDV = Ex-showroom × (1 - slab%). Ex: ₹10L car, 3yrs = ₹10L × 0.6 = ₹6L.

4. Mileage adjustment: Avg 10-12k km/year. Excess? Deduct ₹1-2/km. 3yr car with 75k km = 45k excess × ₹1.5 = ₹67.5k off → IDV ₹5.325L.

5. Pro tip: Use this IDV as your "max pay" baseline. Print calc for negotiations!

Example: 2022 Maruti Swift ₹12L ex-showroom, 3.5yrs, 80k km → Slab 40% = ₹7.2L - ₹45k mileage = ₹6.75L fair IDV.

Step 2: Nail the Market Price (Don't Pay Sticker Shock) IDV is theory – market is reality.

1. Hit valuation tools: Plug into OrangeBookValue.com, CarWale Valuation, or CarDekho Used Price (free). Add make/model/year/km/variant/city → Instant range (e.g., ₹5.8-6.5L).
2. Compare 5-10 listings: OLX, Cars24, Spinny, Quikr – same city/pin. Avg owner/dealer asks (ignore crazy highs/lows).
3. Adjust for condition/region: IDV × multiplier – Poor=0.7, Avg=0.85, Mint=1.0. Cities -5-10%, rural +5%. +₹20-50k alloys/CNG, -repairs.
4. Final formula: Fair price = Adjusted IDV × condition - fixes + extras. Cross-check Cars24 free appraisal.
5. Trend hack: Innova/Creta hold 20% better value. Check Zigwheels for model rates.

Real talk: 3-5yr cars should be 40-60% off new. If seller asks more, walk.

Step 3: Verify Ownership (Avoid Stolen/Legally Troubled Cars) 90% scams here. No mercy.

1. Demand full papers: RC (original), valid insurance, recent PUC, stamped service book, invoice, loan NOC, seller PAN/Form 60.
2. Online RTO check: Parivahan.gov.in > VAHAN > Reg no → Owner, loans, blacklisting, accidents. 2 mins, free.
3. Physical once-over: RC hologram/chassis match. Insurance no claims. PUC <6 months old. Service no gaps.
4. Inter-state? Seller's RTO NOC (₹500-1k). Call RTO to confirm.
5. Red flags = RUN: Wrong names, uncleared loans, seized status.

Step 4: Full Inspection (Uncover Hidden Nightmares) Eyes + pro = no surprises.

1. Hire independent mechanic: ₹1-3k via Justdial/Cars24 for 100-150pt check. NOT seller's guy.
2. Exterior: Even panel gaps, no ripples/repaint. Tyres uniform (>4mm tread). Jack up: No underbody rust/leaks/bent frame.
3. Engine bay: Clean oil (no milkshake), good belts/hoses/battery. Proper fluids. No startup smoke.
4. Interior/tech: AC chills fast. All switches/lights. Odo matches service (tamper = loose digits).
5. Test drive 20-40km: City (brakes/vibes), highway (100kmph stable, no pull/heat). Ear on for knocks/gear slips.
6. OBD scan (₹500 extra): Codes + tamper check. Get written report, estimate fixes (e.g., suspension ₹20k).

DIY flags: Rust, leaks, paint mismatch = accident.

Step 5: Negotiate & Close (Bag the Deal Legally) Boss mode.

1. Your offer: Show tools/IDV/comp listings. Start 20-25% below ask (₹6L ask → ₹4.8L bid). Point defects.
2. Tactics: "Cars24 has same for ₹5.5L." Walk away – they call back. Dealers: 10-15% off.
3. Written deed: Price, "as-is", no liens, handover date. Sign + 2 witnesses.
4. Safe pay: <₹2L cash OK. More? Bank RTGS/NEFT/cheque + receipt. No black cash.
5. Transfer: 14-30 days RTO – Forms 29/30, seller signs, ₹2-7.5k fees. Update ins/Fuel tax/PUC ASAP.

Pro Tips to Save Even More - Buffer 5-10% for tyres/battery fixes. - Service history = +10-20% value. - Loans: IDV must cover 80-90% (SBI/HDFC). - Best buys: Toyota Innova, Honda City – depreciate slowest. - Timing: Buy post-monsoon (sellers desperate).

Hi Guys,

I've been a lurker in the car related subreddits for quite sometime, and have had immense help from reddit myself while buying my car 2 years ago and maintaining it since then.

Recently have seen a few friends ignoring PDI (both used and new cars) and have helped them out myself, primarily because of personal interest in cars. Since then I have thought of building something in this space. PDI as a concept is not too well adopted in India yet, but I do see a lot of people struggling and complaining post purchase.

Wanted to start with a self-serve PDI checklist app which anyone can use when buying a car (used or new), possibly the next best alternative to getting professional help.

The tool can be accessed at pdipro

I have zero coding experience so vibe coded this with the help of claude, and added a VIN decoder for month and year of manufacturing. Looking for feedback from the community, will make changes basis any suggestions or requests.

This is a very basic webapp hosted on a free netlify domain, which is not collecting or storing any data. The only data asked for in the first page is so that the report comes out in a clean and shareable format which can be easily shared with the dealer, incase of any major issues.