The Art of the Vehicle Health Inspection
Let's discuss Vehicle Health Inspections and their intended purpose.
Why do we do courtesy Vehicle Health Inspections?
Most vehicle owners have general knowledge about their vehicles and how they should perform. Commonly, many minor issues will go unnoticed until they become major repairs. That's where the courtesy Vehicle Health Inspection comes in. When you bring your vehicle to us for service, we will perform a complimentary Vehicle Health Inspection to check the safety and operation of your vehicle. This helps us to inform you of any upcoming maintenance or repair issues that we may find. This check is not intended to make you spend more of your hard-earned money but rather to help you prevent a significant repair or potential safety issue.
What do we check?
Our health inspections cover the following:
- Test Drive
- Warning Lights/Indicators
- Horn
- Switches
- Wipers
- Glass/Mirrors
- Lights
- Battery
- Air Filter
- Cabin Air Filter (inside vehicle)
- Engine Oil
- Brake Fluid
- Power Steering Fluid
- Transmission Fluid
- Coolant
- Washer Fluid
- Clutch Fluid (if applicable)
- Drive Belt/Tensioner
- Hoses/Clamps
- Front Tires
- Rear Tires
- Front Brakes
- Rear Brakes
- Brake Hoses/Lines
- Fluid Leaks
- Shocks/Struts
- Steering/Suspension
- Axles/Driveshafts/U Joints
- Exhaust
What do we do with the information?
Our technicians use an electronic Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) system, so when your vehicle's courtesy check is complete, you will receive a text (if opted in) or email containing the results of the check. Items are classified as either:
- Green: Inspected and OK at this time
- Yellow: It may require attention
- Red: Needs attention immediately
Technician comments, photos, and/or videos will often be attached to this checklist to indicate the item's existing condition. In some cases, we also include an animated video describing the defect or issue found for your information. This information is stored on the vehicle's record in our repair software. That way, we can keep track of completed repairs and repairs that are still needed.
Next steps...
Typically, we provide you with an estimate for each item we find. This is to give you a general idea of the cost of each item. We will contact you and provide you with a recommendation for work that is needed as soon as possible and what can wait a little while longer, as well as items that can be done together to save money on labor time.
Remember, the intention of the courtesy inspection is to inform you of the condition of your vehicle and recommend a maintenance schedule, not to sell you work that you don't need. We will never pressure you to perform work you are not ready to complete.
