Inspection Video Is the New Standard—Are Your Students Ready?

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 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.

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.

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.

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” 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 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 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 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 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.

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” 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.

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 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” 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.

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.

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 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 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.

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” 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 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” 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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” 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.

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 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.

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.

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” 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” 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.

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 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” 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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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 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.