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Was that scratch there? Did you take pictures? Did you have your customer sign off acknowledging the unrelated damage? We have all gone through this painstaking process of making an inspection sheet, taking pictures, and getting acknowledgment from the customer. Only to hear after the repair, "that scratch wasn’t there before." Which leads to the question, "Do automated vehicle inspections have a future in collision repair?"
Currently, there are several options for automated vehicle inspection solutions, including:
- Hunter’s Quick Check Drive Inspection
- Coats Inspection Lane
- UVeye AI Vehicle Inspection
Each system is different but generally combines cameras and lasers to feed data to artificial intelligence, which may generate actionable insights for to the customer or estimator.
The inspection can include images of exterior panels and the undercarriage, as well as the status of the wheel alignment and tire wear. Vehicles may be identified by converting vehicle plate images to a VIN, which is then used to cross-reference wheel alignment data.
When a vehicle passes over or through the device, the system utilizes lasers and camera images to scan the tire tread depth, wear, and vehicle alignment.
The collected data can help to identify suspension and drivetrain damage, which can be difficult to diagnose visually.
The tire wear pattern data could inform an estimator of possible long-term alignment issues that have existed.
Adding an automated vehicle inspection system to your shop offers multiple benefits, including:
- Safe and fast-to-act-on information without lifting the vehicle
- Minimize risk of injury and vehicle damage
- Assess whether further evaluation is necessary
- Customer service experience
- Documented vehicle condition during intake
- Alternative drop-off options
There are disadvantages to an automated vehicle inspection. Missed opportunities for in-person customer experiences. Maintenance or repairs needed to the inspection equipment may add obstacles to production. Some information may need to be evaluated with approved OEM equipment or processes to proceed with repairs
Currently, these systems are being used at dealerships, independent repair facilities, and auction houses. They are considered accurate but should not be used in place of an evaluation by a trained professional or as a replacement for the necessary steps required to repair the vehicle properly.
Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:
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