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-   -   2023 Kia Seltos Facelift Review (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/official-new-car-reviews/268324-2023-kia-seltos-facelift-review-102.html)

Good evening,

I have booked Seltos GTX+ Diesel Pewter Olive, on 8 January 2024. The sales executive was very kind and explained everything well. I paid a booking amount of Rs. 25,000/-. While paying he said that we will get a OTP and mail having all information regarding the booking.

We waited for 2 days but no sms or mail came, so called the SA and he said we have logged in and I should have received the mail. When asked about OTP he said no need of that.

Just before booking, We stressed for 2024 make, but he pushed for December 2023 make and offered lots of discounts. But I preferred new make, didn't want to buy year end make, thinking of the resale value kind of.

I didn't receive any mail the next day also, so felt something fishy.

Next day went to showroom, he said they have sent the mail already. After repeated trials to resend the mail(as he said so), I didn't receive it. I checked my mail and it was perfectly working. So the mail was forwarded to his mail and he forwarded that to me. The mail was from kunkia.in and not from KIA. I asked him booking should come from kia's side but the mail is from your (dealer) site. He said it was internal stuff, didn't understand that. I just left. But my mind was like is he trying to sell of old stock without making a fresh booking. The next day I received the mail, but from kunkia.in only.

The mail said that, "As per KIA the tentative weighting period of model model SELTOS- Seltos GTX Plus AT 1.5 Diesel- PEWTER OLIVE IS 7 TO 8 WEEKS" (copied as in mail, spelling for waiting was like this only). I got a call from SA today evening stating that the vehicle will arrive within a week and let's proceed with the formalities. It's just 2 weeks.

Is this the actual procedure/process?

Do we get mail directly from kia or from dealer?

Shouldn't we get an otp from KIA to process the booking form?

What's the actual waiting period for new vehicle?

Should I be aware or alert regarding anything?

I have asked for the VIN, didn't get a response yet. Waiting!

Literally confused, friends kindly clarify things. Thank you.

I received an email from the dealer only, not from Kia.

Once the booking is made, there's no further formalities until the vehicle's PDI is done by you, so just tell them to inform you once the vehicle is ready for PDI. Only after the PDI is satisfactory, get on with the next steps and do not pay anything before PDI. He should be able to tell you the VIN if it's allocated to you, and you can verify the year with VIN.

Hello Experts,

Can anyone please explain how to decode VIN number for KIA vehicles in India?

I too got my booking mail from dealer without the need for OTP and they too made some spelling errors. I think its not an issue.

For GTX Plus, waiting period is showing 6-7 weeks. But it can vary depending on location.

Most important thing in your case is to be aware of model year. Do not proceed without confirming VIN. The 10th letter would tell your Year. If its "P", its 2023. If its "R", its 2024. Whenever car arrives at stockyard, visit and inspect. The 17 digits VIN would be mentioned as sticker somewhere on rear passenger side small triangular window.

After a very long & slow search for a car to replace my 2011 Honda City due to the 15 year rule (I would have kept it forever otherwise) I am looking forward to get a Seltos IVT this week. The car would not be driven more than ~5K a year.
(WFH largely and other cars at home)

Cars test driven (all AT) over the ~ past two years were
1. Slavia 1.0 (Twice)
Lovely car but I suppose 1.5 is the one to get (I realised 3 cylinder vibrations after we got the i20 N line). Unfortunately my usage is so low (4k a year) and planned time horizon is so long that I was unsure about the ease and longevity of a Skoda/ VW
Very good dealership experience, both times. The first time I went was when the car had just launched and even though I mentioned I was "just looking" they insisted I take a test drive
2. Taigun 1.0
Again 1.0 was not preferred because of refinement and 1.5 is too closely priced to base Hycross, Scorpio-N Z8, etc.
3. Urban Cruiser 4AT (Old Brezza)
Not a bad car and extremely VFM but they were out of the top models when I test drove them; this was just before Hyryder introduction
4. Honda City CVT
Great car and feels like home but ground clearance is still very low and insulation is very bad. I am also tired of going diagonally on speedbrakers
5. i20 N Line (Bought this to replace a 2014 Gi10)
Lovely car which we liked so much we bought it to replace another; this slowed down the search but was worth it because it introduced me to turbo petrols and DCTs. It is IMO the most fun you can have in any car within 18-20L followed by the 1.5 TSI/ 1.5 Turbo Verna
6. Thar
Nothing beats feeling you get in this. I will buy one when I have 20L to spare :)
7. Jimny
Had booked one before launch and cancelled when the prices were announced. Test drove for the first time last month when Thunder Edition was announced; somehow didn't connect with it because of the lack of power on road and low space. As much as a capable off-roader it is, my primary usage will always be on the road. The manual one would be really engaging to drive IMO and would love to have one as an extra car for off-roading only someday


Cars considered but not driven
1. Scorpio N (really wanted Z4/ Z8 but being asked to wait for 2 years is a little too much)
2. XUV700 (AX7 to expensive and AX5 has a some essential features missing)
3. Honda Elevate (was ready to buy it in a day as a Honda fan boy but was in for a rude shock, explained in an recent post of mine)
4. Grand Vitara Sigma (Extremely VFM for low usage; get stereo from outside and sell whenever because of the insane resale on these cars)
5. Hyundai Verna (too low and quirky)
6. Hyundai Creta (already have 2016 AT)
7. VW Virtus (would have got a GT 1.5 if I had the usage to justify the purchase)
8. Skoda Kushaq
9. Used cars (Not considered because of inflated market, scummy dealers, insurance/ name transfer hassles, etc.)

Kia Seltos
Was never considered to be honest because of the 3 star safety thing. But after looking at a lot of cars I just wanted to complete the process and this seemed like the most complete package for the intended usage. Funnily, at least 5 of my friends/acquaintances have one at home too. What could have come closest in this choice is the Grand Vitara/ Hyryder Neo drive 6AT but I got to drive the combination in a borrowed car and it felt lethargic - gearbox also jerked a lot and saw the same feedback in some YouTube vids
Had even considered it in mid 2023 (it was available with great discounts; pre facelift) but somehow didn't work out then.
More comments on the car soon...

Thank you Black Panther. I informed the SA during the first meet itself about doing the PDI. The answer first was, PDI is done in the company and during unloading from truck also, it won't be necessary. Then, he told that after payment of 75% cost they will allow for inspection. It's policy, he said, if we change our mind in the last minute, it would be a loss, is what he mentioned.

After the mail being delayed and I insisted on the year of make, he said you can make payment after seeing the vehicle itself. Hope all goes well. As this process is new for me I am a bit concerned. Thank you.

Look for 10th digit of VIN chasis number, it would be either R or P - 2024 Manufacturing Car (R) or 2023 Manufacturing Car (P)

The last character of the VIN represents the month
A - January
B - February
..................
L - November
M - December

Note - This process skips letters I, O, Q to avoid confusion with 1, 0, 9 numbers

Thank you Flasshhhh. Was in a great dilemma with what's happening. I have asked for the VIN. He says vehicle has been allocated and will reach within a week. Will they have my VIN by now? Is it the right time to ask? Waiting fingers crossed. Again Thanks.

Another doubt. If we process the loan application now will the amount get credited to dealer as and when it happens or will they hold till the arrival of vehicle or our approval after PDI - kind of? It's like Greek and Latin to me.

Loan will be disbursed to dealer only when you give your consent and sign a disbursement form. Also, please don't make any payment before PDI. If you are not sure how to do a PDI you can either check Team-BHP PDI checklist or enlist Zekardo for the same.

Additionally, mandatory payment before PDI is absolutely rubbish. No dealer can force you to make any payment. Please be firm with your SA and he will fall in line.

Can you let me know which app you use to track the fuel economy data?

According to me, even if he conveys you VIN over phone, the best way is to wait till your car arrives. Visit and look for the sticker on the car itself. Verify it, then proceed with further payments/loan payment. This way you will have things under your control and will have your peace of mind.

I guess it is Fuelio. I use the same and the stats provided are quite comprehensive.

I feel your concerns and the pressure the SA is putting on you. Happened to some of us as well, and I fell for it. Here's what I learnt:

You're under NO obligation to pay a penny over the booking amount till the time you see the car in person. Once you pay them the money, they can lead you a merry dance even if they promise a full refund, they'll take their own sweet time to process it. The month-end is coming up so it's highly likely the SA is pushing to close a sale ASAP.

The dealership will claim you don't need a PDI, but you do. If nothing else, to ensure the make promised to you is the one that's delivered, and of course to ensure there's nothing off with the vehicle. It's your money and you have a right to inspect the vehicle before paying for it. Add their NEFT details and show it to them, telling them you're willing to transfer the amount on the spot as soon as you're satisfied with the PDI.

The part about it being a loss if you refuse the vehicle is utter nonsense. The Seltos is a big seller and if you don't pick it up, chances are someone else will gladly take a vehicle that's available on the spot vs having to wait for 6-7 weeks (their claimed waiting period). The only way it'd be a loss to them is if no customer takes the car for a long period of time, in which case the obvious question is why?

Thanks Eragon92. Got some clarity. I checked Zekardo, it's not available in chennai. I planning to go with Team-BHP PDI checklist.


Thanks Flasshhhh. I think I should wait till the car arrives. I shall update things when they happen.



Thanks Arcanec. Will follow your advice. There is silence today. Will update things.

I have a checklist specifically prepared for Seltos (gathered from multiple sources, but majorly from TeamBHP), but I do not know how to PM you. If you can PM me, I can send it to you.