Inspection Video Is the New Standard—Are Your Students Ready?
About this episode
Inspection videos are presented as a better way to communicate repair findings, both in the shop and in the classroom. The discussion connects faster customer follow-up with higher acceptance, stronger revenue, and better service outcomes, while also showing how students can learn the same workflow they’ll use on the job. It also covers rollout details like device requirements, school pricing, DMS integrations, and how the software tracks technician performance.
Video inspections are now standard in dealerships and shops across the country, but most students graduate without ever recording one. In this episode, Warner Jones, Sr. VP at TruVideo, walks instructors and program directors through why inspection video is a must-have skill for today's students, how it closes the communication gap between techs and customers, and how schools can get the industry's leading video platform at no cost.
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About the Episode
- Host: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay, [email protected]
- Guest: Warner Jones, TruVideo, [email protected]
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pre-purchase inspection
"One dealer say that we've been handing the customer sheet music all these years [4.7s] What they really wanted was for the dealership to play them a song [8.6s] And that's really what video allows us to do is to package up everything that has been found during the inspection"
A pre-purchase inspection is a careful check of a car before you buy it. The goal is to find problems early and explain them clearly to the buyer.
A pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is a structured vehicle evaluation done before buying a car. It documents mechanical and cosmetic issues so the buyer understands what they’re getting and can plan repairs or negotiate appropriately.
true video
"We're really excited to be hosting today's webinar alongside our partner true video. I [51.0s] Know a big part of today's audience is made up of instructors, which is really really awesome to see [56.1s] What you're doing in the classroom and the shop is shaping the next generation of technicians"
True Video is the company partnering on this webinar. They help shops use video to show customers what a technician finds.
True Video is referenced as a partner in the webinar about inspection-video workflows. In this context, it’s the product/vendor helping dealerships and service teams implement video-based inspections.
creating inspection videos
"We're going to be talking about creating inspection videos, but not just from a shop standpoint [76.6s] This is something that translates directly into the classroom as well [81.1s] Helping students learn how to clearly explain what they're seeing build confidence in their communication and ultimately create trust with a customer"
They’re talking about making videos of car inspections. The videos help explain problems more clearly to customers and help students learn how to describe them.
The hosts focus on creating inspection videos that show what a technician found during a vehicle inspection. The idea is to improve how shops and instructors communicate issues to customers and students.
cloud upload
"But at some point you're going to click the upload button and now we're going to upload that video up into the cloud Now the video is going to upload over the course of 30 or 40 seconds pretty quick once it's uploaded"
Cloud upload just means the video gets sent to an online system, not just saved on one computer. Then the shop and customer can open it using a link.
A cloud upload means the video is sent from the shop’s device to an online server instead of being stored only locally. That enables the advisor and customer to access the same video link after it’s processed and attached to the repair order.
repair order
"They get a notification that a video has been uploaded against that repair order and all they need to do is just click on that pop-up and They will actually go to the detail screen that has a repair order details customer number and so forth and"
A repair order is the paperwork a repair shop uses to track a job—who the customer is, what work is being done, and the details of the repair. Here, the video gets linked to that job so everyone can find it easily.
A repair order is the shop’s official work document that lists the customer, the vehicle, the requested work, and the authorization/notes for technicians. In the workflow described, the uploaded inspection video is attached to a specific repair order so the advisor and customer can access it in context.
customer experience
"They click send to customer and that sends it through a text message with that link now the customer experience looks like this They get a text message with the link in it"
In this context, “customer experience” means what the customer goes through—like getting a text with a link and being able to watch the video on their phone or tablet. It’s about making the process easy and trackable.
“Customer experience” here refers to the end-to-end process of how the customer receives and views the inspection video. The workflow uses a text message link and device-friendly page so the customer can watch the video and the advisor gets notified of engagement.
CDK
"But also through our partnerships and so our software is also the platform that's used by CDK [422.7s] So the largest DMS in the industry"
CDK is a company that makes software dealerships use to run their operations. Here, they’re saying CDK uses the same platform for the video/inspection tools.
CDK is a major automotive software provider used by dealerships. In this context, the host says CDK uses their platform, meaning their video/inspection workflow is integrated into dealership systems.
DMS
"But also through our partnerships and so our software is also the platform that's used by CDK [422.7s] So the largest DMS in the industry"
DMS means Dealer Management System. It’s the computer system a car dealership uses to run service and repair work.
DMS stands for Dealer Management System. It’s the software dealerships use to manage day-to-day operations like service scheduling, customer records, and repair workflows.
Reynolds and Reynolds
"But we also built the mobile app for Reynolds and Reynolds and we are the video engine for X time and a few others"
Reynolds and Reynolds makes software for car dealerships. The host is saying their video tools are connected to that dealership software through a mobile app.
Reynolds and Reynolds is an automotive software company known for dealership systems. The host says they built a mobile app for Reynolds and Reynolds, tying their inspection-video approach into dealer tech.
NADA
"I've presented three out of the last four years at NADA as a workshop and that's about a 10% hit rate"
NADA is a big organization for car dealers. The host is saying they’ve presented their inspection-video training workshops there.
NADA refers to the National Automobile Dealers Association, which hosts large industry events and training sessions. The host mentions presenting inspection-video workshops at NADA, indicating the content is aimed at dealership professionals.
walk-around video
"That you can run through in about 30 minutes and it really kind of talks about how do you install it? [513.6s] Why is it important and and and how do you do a good walk-around video?"
A walk-around video is a recording where you show the car from different sides and point out what you’re seeing. The host is talking about how to make those videos clear and useful.
A walk-around video is a step-by-step exterior/interior recording of a vehicle’s condition, typically used to show findings clearly. In inspection training, it’s about capturing the right angles, explaining issues, and making the documentation easy for others to understand.
quarter time
"“There's a concept called quarter time and quarter time basically says if I'm not getting information to the customer about recommended repairs within a 25% within a quarter of their expected wait time the chances they are going to accept my recommendations just falls off a cliff…”"
“Quarter time” is a rule-of-thumb about timing. If the shop doesn’t tell you what repairs you need soon enough—relative to how long you’re expected to wait—people are much less likely to say yes.
“Quarter time” is a service-adoption concept that ties how quickly a dealer communicates recommended repairs to whether customers will accept them. The idea is that if the customer isn’t told within roughly 25% of their expected wait time, acceptance drops sharply.
multi-point inspection sheet
"“Second up is customer experience… about 40 years ago the multi-point inspection sheet was created…”"
A multi-point inspection sheet is a checklist the shop uses to look at a bunch of different parts on your car and write down what they find. It helps the dealer explain what repairs they recommend.
A multi-point inspection sheet is a standardized checklist used by dealerships to document the condition of many vehicle systems during service. In this segment, it’s discussed as a long-running process meant to surface recommended repairs to customers.
OEMs
"“Second up is customer experience really important to dealers and to OEMs…”"
OEMs are the car makers themselves—the companies that originally built the vehicles. They often set expectations for how dealerships should handle service and customer communication.
OEMs means “original equipment manufacturers”—the companies that build the vehicles in the first place. In dealer discussions, OEMs care about customer experience and service processes because they influence brand standards and how repairs are communicated.
warranty expired
"“…because 70% of customers defect after their warranty expired…”"
“Warranty expired” means the factory coverage period is over. After that, repairs usually cost the customer, so shops try to identify issues and recommend fixes.
“Warranty expired” refers to the period after the factory coverage ends, when repairs are no longer covered under that warranty. The segment uses this to explain why dealers push inspections and recommended repairs—because customer behavior changes once warranty coverage is gone.
OEM inspection video programs
"Third side of this that the dealers care about his customer experience and we have OEMs like Mazda VW Audi. They are they have programs in place to require an inspection video on every customer facing repair one."
The segment describes OEM programs that push or require inspection videos as part of the repair/inspection workflow. The goal is to standardize how findings are documented and communicated to customers across dealerships.
Volkswagen
"we have OEMs like Mazda VW Audi. They are they have programs in place to require an inspection video on every customer facing repair one."
Volkswagen is listed among OEMs that have programs requiring inspection videos for customer-facing repairs. In this context, it’s an example of how multiple manufacturers are pushing standardized, video-based communication.
Audi
"we have OEMs like Mazda VW Audi. They are they have programs in place to require an inspection video on every customer facing repair one."
Audi is mentioned as another car brand that supports using inspection videos so customers can clearly see what the shop found.
Audi is cited as an OEM with programs that require inspection videos for customer-facing repairs. The segment uses Audi as part of the broader argument that video inspections are becoming standard across brands.
customer-facing repair
"They are they have programs in place to require an inspection video on every customer facing repair one. Mazda put this in place the year before they were the number 11 spot after a year of video."
This means repairs the shop is explaining to you directly—usually with proof of what they found and what they recommend doing next.
A customer-facing repair is work that the dealership communicates directly to the customer, typically with documented findings and recommendations. In this segment, inspection videos are positioned as the communication layer for those repairs.
Mazda
"Mazda put this in place the year before they were the number 11 spot after a year of video. They jumped to number three spot in the JD power customer service index study."
Mazda is mentioned as a car brand that started using inspection videos earlier than others, and the host claims it helped their customer satisfaction scores.
Mazda is cited as an OEM that implemented inspection-video requirements before the ranking improvement described in the segment. The point is that Mazda’s adoption of video helped move the needle in JD Power customer service results.
JD Power customer service index study
"They jumped to number three spot in the JD power customer service index study. Unheard of to jump that many spots the next year."
JD Power is a company that surveys customers and ranks how satisfied they are. The speaker is using that ranking to show inspection videos may improve customer experience.
JD Power is a market research company that publishes customer satisfaction rankings. Here, the host cites a JD Power customer service index study to argue that inspection videos improved Mazda’s customer service ranking.
RO's
"In your revenue and then we say, okay, let's multiply that by 750 RO's I've got a 400 or $45,000 improvement in a given month And if I multiply that over 12 months, I've got a $540,000 improvement over that year as revenue"
“RO’s” here means repair orders. It’s the dealership paperwork that tracks each repair job, and more RO’s generally means more work and more money.
In a dealership context, “RO’s” usually means repair orders—paperwork that documents a customer’s vehicle repair request and the work performed. The hosts are using RO volume as a driver for revenue and profit.
margin is 50% between parts and labor
"And if we say margin is 50% between parts and labor I'm still looking at $270,000 that I wasn't getting last year now You could argue up or down the number of RO's the you know"
“Margin” is the money left over after paying for parts and labor. Saying it’s 50% means they’re assuming half of that revenue turns into profit.
“Margin” refers to the profit left after subtracting the costs of parts and labor. When the hosts say margin is 50% between parts and labor, they’re modeling how much profit a dealership can generate from those categories.
ASC connects
"ASC connects in partnership with wrenchway brings schools and industry together on one easy online platform At no cost for schools At the heart of ASC connects is school assist the online resource that lets you post exactly what your program needs"
ASC connects is a website/platform that helps auto/diesel schools connect with local shops and industry people. It’s meant to make it easier to find help and opportunities for students.
ASC connects is presented as an online platform that links automotive schools with the industry. In the segment, it’s positioned as a way to coordinate needs like guest speakers, shop tours, and student job opportunities.
school assist
"At the heart of ASC connects is school assist the online resource that lets you post exactly what your program needs From guest speakers shop tours tools advisory committee members career fair participants and even student job opportunities"
“School assist” is a tool on the platform where schools can say what they need—like speakers or shop visits. Shops can then see the requests and respond.
“School assist” is described as an online resource where a school can post exactly what its program needs. The segment lists examples like guest speakers, shop tours, and advisory committee members.
dealerships and a lot of independence
"Next up why schools care and first up is it's a current practice This is what's being used in dealerships and a lot of independence"
They’re talking about how widely the practice is used, including at dealerships and independent repair shops.
This is a discussion about where the described practice is being used—specifically in dealerships and also among independent shops. It’s more of a segment framing than a technical automotive concept.
communication chain
"Why do students and technicians care about it? Well, it solves the communication chain Which I'm going to show you what I mean by that..."
The communication chain is how information moves from the mechanic to the person who talks to the customer, and then to the customer. If that message doesn’t land, the customer may not approve the repairs.
The communication chain is the step-by-step flow of information between people in the repair process—typically from technician to advisor to customer. If any link is unclear (for example, the customer doesn’t understand the issue), work recommendations can stall and technicians end up doing less billable work.
service department
"But it's it's pretty broken if you look at How things are communicated within a service department If I asked a technician..."
A service department is the repair side of a dealership or shop. It’s where problems get diagnosed and repairs get scheduled, usually with help from an advisor who talks to the customer.
A service department is the part of a dealership or shop that handles customer service work—diagnostics, repairs, and maintenance. It typically involves a workflow between technicians, service advisors, and the customer to turn findings into approved work.
service advisor
"...they come up with a bunch of recommendations The advisor pitches the customer and the customer doesn't accept anything..."
A service advisor (often called an advisor or service writer) is the person who interviews the customer, communicates diagnostic findings, and presents recommended work for approval. In many shops, the advisor’s ability to explain value and manage expectations directly affects whether technicians get the job authorized.
confidence
"Now in our scenario, we've got a customer and then we also have someone that the customer might Share their information with and ask advice from we call that person the confidence."
Here, “confidence” seems to mean a trusted person the customer asks for advice. It’s another step in the process before repairs get approved.
In this context, “confidence” appears to mean a trusted person the customer shares information with to get advice before approving repairs. That adds another node to the communication chain beyond the technician and service advisor.
CV boots
"Maybe they don't know how to describe some of these recommendations about tie rods and CV boots"
CV boots are rubber covers that protect the joints that let the wheels turn while driving. If a boot rips, the joint can wear out faster and start making noise or vibrating.
CV boots are protective rubber covers over the constant-velocity (CV) joints in a front-drive (and many all-wheel-drive) drivetrain. When a CV boot tears, grease can leak out and dirt can enter, which can quickly lead to joint wear and vibration.
tie rods
"Maybe they don't know how to describe some of these recommendations about tie rods and CV boots"
Tie rods are parts that help connect your steering to the front wheels. If they’re worn out, the steering can feel loose and tires may wear unevenly.
Tie rods are steering linkage components that connect the steering system to the front wheels. If a tie rod is worn or loose, it can cause vague steering feel, uneven tire wear, or play in the steering.
sticker shock
"Or maybe they're thinking with their wallet not with the customer's wallet And they don't want to give the customer sticker shock"
“Sticker shock” means the customer is surprised by how expensive the repair estimate is. If it’s not explained well, they may hesitate or say no.
“Sticker shock” is the customer reaction when the quoted repair cost feels unexpectedly high. In service advising, it can lead to delays or refusal if the advisor doesn’t explain priorities and urgency clearly.
prevents information loss in translation
"And that's what we're trying to paint here is All of this information that's gathered the front end gets lost lost in translation if you will When we incorporate video the technician records one video with all the recommendations goes to the advisor"
They’re talking about how inspection problems can get lost or misunderstood when the info moves from the mechanic to the service writer to the customer. Video is used to make sure the customer sees the same details the technician saw.
The speaker is describing a workflow problem where inspection findings get misunderstood or forgotten between the technician, advisor, and customer. Using technician-recorded video is presented as a way to reduce miscommunication and ensure the customer receives the full set of recommendations.
labor hours
"Now when we look at uh dollars and cents, I'm going to roll this into in just one second We talk about the average hour labor hours. And so"
Labor hours are how long the shop expects a repair to take. That time estimate is used to calculate the labor cost.
Labor hours are the time a shop estimates it will take to perform a repair, which is then multiplied by the shop’s hourly rate. They’re commonly used to estimate the total cost of service and compare repair options.
delta
"The difference between those two numbers is 0.93. We call that the delta ... when I'm recording videos and the customer watches the video."
“Delta” just means the difference between two results. They’re using it to show how much more time (and money) happens when video is included.
A “delta” is the difference between two numbers—in this case, the change in labor hours when video is used. The hosts use it to quantify the impact of video on technician time and billed work.
video dashboard
"You are using the true video dashboard ... run this report and it's going to show delta hours."
A “video dashboard” is a screen/report that shows how the video feature is performing. Here it’s used to generate the numbers they compare (like labor and parts).
A “video dashboard” is a reporting interface that aggregates video-related engagement and performance metrics. In this segment, it’s tied to the ability to run the delta report and see results like labor and parts impacts.
labor dollars
"it's going to show delta hours. It's going to show delta, um labor dollars and parts dollars"
“Labor dollars” means the money charged for the technician’s work. They’re saying the report can show how video changes that billed amount.
“Labor dollars” are the monetary value of the labor portion of service billing. The hosts mention the delta report can show changes in labor dollars alongside labor hours when video is used.
parts dollars
"It's going to show delta, um labor dollars and parts dollars and"
“Parts dollars” means the money charged for the replacement parts. They’re saying video can affect both labor and parts billing.
“Parts dollars” are the monetary value of the parts portion of service billing. The segment frames video as influencing not just labor time but also the parts revenue tracked by the report.
per technician
"It actually tracks per technician ... you're going to see down here that james is at 1.97 and we've got ryan at 0.47"
“Per technician” means the results are broken down by individual workers, not just the dealership overall. They use it to compare how different techs are doing.
Tracking “per technician” means the system attributes performance metrics to individual techs rather than only to the whole shop. The hosts use this to show different delta values for specific technicians (e.g., James vs. Ryan).
wi-fi
"Um [1281.5s] Not a very heavy lift here. Um [1283.9s] Going to have good wi-fi in the shop [1286.6s] And a lot of schools already do have good wi-fi just in general"
Wi‑Fi is the wireless internet connection. They’re saying the shop needs it so students can use the training software and video tools.
Wi‑Fi is the wireless network connection that lets devices (like tablets or laptops) communicate with online tools. In this context, it’s important because the training relies on video/software access in the shop.
diagnostic programs
"Going to have good wi-fi in the shop [1286.6s] And a lot of schools already do have good wi-fi just in general but also for diagnostic programs and other third party [1293.8s] services that you might use"
Diagnostic programs are computer tools that help mechanics figure out what’s wrong with a car. They walk you through checks and show the results so you can find the problem faster.
“Diagnostic programs” are software tools used to help interpret vehicle issues. They typically guide technicians through tests and display results so you can pinpoint what’s wrong instead of guessing.
gauge
"Gages are important [1298.7s] So we recommend that you get your hands on a gauge or two just in terms of being able to display what the gauge says [1305.0s] Most technicians have stick gauges, but it's really hard to focus on a stick gauge"
A gauge is a tool that measures something on the car and shows a number or reading. They’re saying students should practice reading gauges because it’s easy to miss details on some types.
A gauge is a measuring instrument used to read specific values (like pressure, vacuum, or other test readings) during diagnostics. The segment emphasizes that technicians need to be able to read gauges accurately, whether they’re stick (analog) or digital.
analog
"[1309.2s] So either go digital or we go analog like this [1311.8s] And then when you get into the brake fueler gauges nice to have a couple of new pairs on hand."
Analog means the gauge uses a needle/pointer and a scale. You read it by where the needle lands, not by looking at a digital number.
Analog gauges show measurements using a continuous scale and pointer/needle rather than numbers on a screen. The speaker contrasts analog with digital to highlight differences in how technicians read and interpret readings.
digital
"[1309.2s] So either go digital or we go analog like this [1311.8s] And then when you get into the brake fueler gauges nice to have a couple of new pairs on hand."
Here, “digital” means the gauge shows the measurement on a screen instead of using a needle. That usually makes it easier to read accurately.
In this context, “digital” refers to gauges that display measurements electronically (for example, on a screen) rather than with a needle on a scale. Digital readings can be easier to interpret quickly and consistently.
work order
"And that creates the ro or the work order in our tool So a little bit of extra data entry just shows up automatically on on the the device itself so they can attach a video to it"
A work order is the shop’s written “to-do list” for a vehicle. It records what needs to be done and links the job details to the inspection.
A work order is the official instruction record that tells a shop what job to perform on a vehicle. In inspection workflows, it’s where the customer/vehicle details get tied to the inspection and any attached media (like a video).
MPI project
"Uh next one is I am an instructor and I'm having my students do a video mpi project Are you able to share that checklist you had shown us earlier to use as a type of grading rubric?"
MPI is a multi-area vehicle inspection. Students use it as a practice project to check different parts and document what they find.
MPI usually means a Multi-Point Inspection, where a technician checks multiple areas of a vehicle and documents findings. In training, an MPI project is a structured exercise that teaches students how to inspect, record, and communicate condition using a repeatable checklist.
grading rubric
"Are you able to share that checklist you had shown us earlier to use as a type of grading rubric? Yeah, I can share that if you wanted to just send me an email"
A grading rubric is a checklist of what you’re being graded on, plus how the scoring works. It makes grading more consistent between students.
A grading rubric is a scoring guide that lists criteria and how points are awarded for each category. For video-based inspections, it helps standardize how instructors evaluate things like completeness, documentation quality, and clarity.
online portal
"Reach back out if you have not heard from me because I've responded to anybody who's who's communicated to me through the wrenchway online portal You know the the timing is is helpful to understand"
An online portal is a website login area where you can access information. In this case, it’s where they handle messages and program details.
An online portal is a web-based system where users log in to access services, documents, or updates. Here, it’s where communications and information related to the program are handled for instructors and schools.
wrenchway
"You can also watch the video interviews on wrenchways youtube channel... Speaking of wrenchway beyond the wrench is managed and produced by the wrenchway team..."
Wrenchway is the organization that runs this podcast and the related interviews. They focus on helping people build careers in automotive and collision repair.
Wrenchway is the company behind the podcast and the related video interviews mentioned in the segment. The hosts describe it as focused on improving careers in automotive diesel and collision work and supporting technician development.
ase connects
"...In partnership with ase we run the ase connects community which empowers shops and dealerships with reliable data school connections and industry insights while helping grow the future technician workforce..."
ASE Connects is a community program for shops and dealerships. It’s meant to share useful information and connect schools so more future technicians can be trained.
ASE Connects is described as a community that empowers shops and dealerships with reliable data, school connections, and industry insights. In this context, it’s a program designed to help shops access information and help grow the technician pipeline.
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