Digital vehicle inspections software is one of the best way to show your customer exactly what's wrong with their vehicle. Instead of an old-school paper approach, Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVIS) are a core component of your shop's workflow, and let technicians quickly highlight existing and potential future issues, with evidence!
If a technician notices that the brakes are okay now but will need to be repaired in about three months, they can note that in the DVI report, or even attach a picture for the customer to see.
Even better, because digital vehicle inspection software let you send pictures and videos, track declined repairs, and even let your shop text findings directly to customers, you can help customers feel comfortable that they're making the right decision in approving that costly repair they may have otherwise put off.
With the right DIV features creating such a modern, seamless experience, you'll be the first shop they think of next time they need something fixed!
Digital Vehicle Inspection Software Features to Look For
1. Default Inspections
One of the biggest benefits of DVIs isn't just transparency, but speed and ease of use for your service managers and technicians. With default inspections, shops can set a standardized template for every vehicle inspection.
Service advisors won't have to spend as much time building repair orders, and technicians will have a default template to work off of every time.
This not only saves both your service advisors and technicians time, but it also helps to improve the accuracy of your inspection reports, which enables your shop to provide an exceptional customer experience built on a foundation of trust.
2. Attach Pictures and Videos
One of the easiest ways to help customers feel comfortable approving work is by directly showing them the problem. We all know a picture is worth a thousand words, but what about video?
Simply telling customers their ball joint is loose might leave them wondering why it matters if they can't feel the impact when driving.
But showing them the massive play between components, torn boots, and dirty globs of grease will help them understand why the repair is worth the cost.
3. Text Inspection Findings to Customers
Customers want things fast, simple, and on their phone. When they're already texting their doctor, babysitter, or coworkers, why shouldn't they be able to text their shop when they drop off their car?
With just the click of a button, your shop can text or email inspection findings and repair estimates, with a link to approve the work right there, within seconds.
That means your shop can get to work sooner, complete the repair faster, and surprise your customers with a modern, seamless experience.
4. Track Declined Jobs
Digital Vehicle Inspections aren't just better for your customers; DVIs are also better for your shop. With Declined Job History, your shop can keep track of every single declined job, anywhere from an oil change to a transmission fix.
Because you have a history of declined work, you can quickly and easily follow up with customers next time they stop by.
Or, better yet, integrate your shop system with some marketing tools and set up automatic email reminders to customers. For example, your shop can send an automated email three months after their previous visit, reminding them of the work they declined last time.
5. Create Custom Inspections
Shops should look to create custom inspection templates for any service they offer. Whether you're a repair shop doing frequent brake jobs and want an inspection template to ensure every vehicle is inspected along the same criteria.
Or, maybe as a performance shop, you frequently service a type of turbo-charged, flat-four engine that likes to blow its head gaskets. You can set up a custom inspection to use every time that model gets towed in.
Shops can then create and attach canned jobs to inspection tasks to efficiently transition from inspections to estimates to repair works with fewer clicks and less effort on your end.
6. DVI Reporting
Because Digital Vehicle Inspections help your shop keep track of all the work you did -- from the inspection process to a completed repair -- shop owners and general managers can gain in-depth knowledge of how effective their shop's operations are.
For example, you can view high-level metrics and compare Average Repair Order values and Close Ratios both with and without inspections.
Or, you can drill down even further to look at completion rate, average inspection time, average findings, and cool details like many of your inspections sent to customers were actually viewed. That way you can fine-tune your process to not only make the most money on your shop's labor, but also make sure inspections are quicker, smoother, and more useful for customers.
Sell More Repair Work with Digital Vehicle Inspections
At the end of the day, running an independent auto repair shop is so much more than just fixing cars. As a shop owner, you're responsible for every aspect of shop operations, including shop management, customer experience, marketing, sales, and so much more.
And even with a team behind you, we know there's always room to make great shops even better.
With the right digital vehicle inspection features, your shop can not only complete inspections with ease but also keep happy customers approving repair orders time and time again.
If you’re an automotive shop owner or service advisor looking to upgrade your system, you’ve likely encountered the name Tekmetric. Like any smart shopper, you are looking for a free trial of Tekmetric before you purchase. Below, you can find a few options to test drive Tekmetric for free.
Option 1: Free Tekmetric Trial
To access your free Tekmetric self-guided trial, you can use this link here. It will walk you through the key parts of the Tekmetric software, customer experience, estimate building, customer approvals, digital vehicle inspections, and more. Afterwards, you can book a demo to chat with our sales team and start the onboarding process.
Option 2: Personalized Demo with Tekmetric
If you prefer to chat with a Tekmetric employee, you can book a demo here and ask any questions you have. We will show you how Tekmetric can maximize your efficiency, improve your customer experience, and boost sales. We will also talk about your shop's needs, goals for your business, and what gives your shop a competitive edge.
Option 3: Case Studies and Customer Reviews
We think our customers are the best sales team. So, we have provided our customer success stories, real customer reviews, and G2 rankings to aid in your decision-making process. This is a great place to see the ROI Tekmetric can provide for your shop.
Tek-Tip: Ask ChatGPT or Gemini for a summary of Tekmetric and how it could be a fit for your business.
Final thoughts
Whichever option you pick, we hope you will give Tekmetric a try. Built by a former shop owner, Tekmetric understands the importance of finding the right software for your shop. Tekmetric offers month-to-month pricing options in addition to discounted annual plans to fit any budget. Unlimited users, unlimited RO's, unlimited support, no hidden fees. Are you ready to take your shop to the next level?
Today’s vehicle owners look for shops that prioritize their evolving needs, and many gravitate towards shops that take care of their entire vehicle in the most efficient manner, from the engine to the tires. As vehicle owners look for a one-stop auto repair shop, shop owners have the unique opportunity to expand their business by also selling tires. This is where Tekmetric’s Tire Suite comes in — a solution that simplifies tire management, letting you save time while leveraging the opportunity to expand your service offerings.
Tire Suite is a feature that your shop can add onto your existing Tekmetric plan. With this add-on, you have access to tire-specific features that allow you to view data specific to your tires and in turn make informed decisions to support that area of your business. By maximizing the information in Tire Suite appropriately, you can open the door to this new business stream – without losing efficiency in your shop. Here are three ways you maximize tire management in your shop:
1. Time is money – streamline processes to maintain efficiency
Effective shop management saves you time and money – and there are several simple ways you can apply this strategy to the tire portion of your business. For instance, with Tire Suite, you can reduce the amount of time it takes to register Department of Transportation (DOT) numbers when you sell a tire. DOT registration with Tire Suite registers DOT identification numbers electronically with the appropriate tire manufacturer via the Tiremetrix integration. In addition, you get real-time feedback when entering a DOT number in the system to ensure the validity and recall status of the tire.
Instead of having to worry about compliance or losing hours of time to DOT# entry, your service advisors can gain time back with Tire Suite’s automated registration process. Typically, DOT number registration is a manual task, and the time it takes to enter each number can add up to hours of labor time depending on your shop’s sales. Tekmetric’s Tire Suite allows your service advisors to spend less time entering information and more time with the customer. By streamlining manual processes like DOT registration, your shop can handle more work in less time and maximize profitability – all while offering a more convenient and comfortable process for vehicle owners.
2. Leverage accurate data to maximize tire shelf life
In addition to tire compliance, it is also important to set up a system where the tires are used in a timely fashion. Tire Suite allows your team to track inventory and maximize the use of available tires while also making sure tires do not sit too long on the shelf. This requires a bit of finesse, and that’s where Tire Suite comes in. Now, service writers can quickly look up all tires for preferred brands that will fit a vehicle and source them directly from inventory or add as a needed job part.
In addition, tire fitment data allows you to access detailed tire specifications in the RO sidebar for a specific vehicle. For example, if you have a vehicle that needs staggered tires, the data will ensure you get two tires of each type rather than four of the same size. That attention to detail is made possible by leveraging tire-related data – and it can make a significant impact on growing that portion of your business.
3. Build and retain customer loyalty
Once a dealership warranty ends, 70% of customers will seek a repair shop they know they can trust and remain loyal to. Customers value convenience and comfort. When those needs are met, they are more likely to trust your shop and return to do business with you time and time again.
Shops with the highest retention rates often make tires a part of their business because customers are looking to kill two birds with one stone. Conversely, by not selling tires, you can even hurt your retention rate. When you choose to offer tire management services and provide them in an efficient manner, you are more likely to maintain your customer retention rate because vehicle owners will have everything they need in the hands of their favorite shop.
Adding tire services to your auto repair offerings may seem daunting – but the opportunities far outweigh the challenges. When you leverage the appropriate tools for tire management, such as Tekmetric’s Tire Suite, you can maintain your shop’s efficiency and meet vehicle owners’ needs without missing a beat. The result? Happy, returning customers – and growth in your bottom line over time.
Let’s face it, tracking inventory is tricky. It takes keen attention to detail, an ability to anticipate your shop’s needs, great timing, and some serious research skills—not to mention a lot of time on the phone or computer, away from the action of the shop.
Bottom line? Keeping track of inventory is a job that most service advisors and shop owners didn’t sign up for. While some shops have a shop foreman to help with inventory, even the best foreman still needs a solid tracking system.
But when a shop runs low on the right tools and parts, it can mean turning away customers when you could be building loyalty instead. Simply put, without up-to-date inventory records, your shop may have to pump the brakes and turn away customers or delay jobs.
If your team wants to stay ahead in the industry, you probably see inventory upkeep as a frequent task. And without a shop inventory software, you might also spend hours calculating purchases, tracking orders, checking wear and tear to tools, and rotating stock.
Everyone has their own way of conducting the inventory process, but in general, inventory methods fall into three major categories:
Pen and paper
Excel/spreadsheet/template
Shop inventory software
If you’re still using pen and paper or a spreadsheet, it may be time to upgrade or at least supplement your inventory process.
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