Auto Repair Shop · Free Template · ~9 steps
Vehicle Inspection Procedure (Multi-Point)
A shop owner who wants every tech to perform the same multi-point inspection in the same order.
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Who it's for
Technicians, service writers verifying inspection results.
When to run it
On every vehicle as part of intake or as a stand-alone service.
Before you start
- •Inspection sheet (paper or DMS form)
- •Tire tread depth gauge
- •Brake pad gauge or visual reference card
- •Battery tester
- •OBD-II scanner
The procedure
Step-by-step, in order. Each step has the action and the reason it matters.
- 1
Verify the customer's complaint first
Before inspecting anything else, road-test or bench-test for the specific issue the customer described. If they said 'shake when braking,' brake-test it. Document exactly what you observed in the customer's words plus your tech notes.
Why: An inspection that doesn't address the customer's complaint is a sales pitch, not a service.
- 2
Tires — tread depth, wear pattern, pressure
Measure tread depth at 3 points on each tire (inside, center, outside). Document wear pattern: even, cupping, feathering, inside edge, outside edge. Set pressure to door placard spec. Photo each tire.
Why: Tread depth ≤ 4/32 is a real safety call. Wear patterns reveal alignment, suspension, or rotation issues — the diagnostic gold.
- 3
Brakes — pad thickness, rotor condition, fluid color
Pull a wheel if needed. Measure pad thickness on both inner and outer pads (they wear differently). Visual on rotor for grooves, edge lip, heat discoloration. Brake fluid color test — clear/light is fine, dark needs flush.
Why: Brake estimates are your second-highest-margin upsell. Get the photos and the measurements.
- 4
Suspension — ball joints, tie rods, struts, sway bar end links
On the lift: dry-park check for tie rod play, ball joint play. Visual on strut housings for leaks. Sway bar end links for separation. Bushings for cracks.
Why: Suspension components are the deferred-work category most customers ignore until they fail. Document and follow up.
- 5
Fluids — level, color, contamination
Engine oil (level + condition), coolant (level + color), brake fluid (level + color), power steering, transmission, differential, transfer case if 4WD. Note any contamination, coolant in oil, oil in coolant.
Why: Fluid contamination is the cheapest way to catch a head gasket failure or a failing head, before the customer is stranded.
- 6
Battery — load test and corrosion
Load test under cranking load, not just voltage. Note CCA available vs. CCA rated. Photo any terminal corrosion. Most batteries that fail in winter were borderline in fall.
Why: Failed-battery walk-in is the most predictable winter call. Catching it in fall is a sale and a happy customer.
- 7
OBD-II scan — current and pending codes
Pull both current and pending codes. A pending code is a future complaint. Document the freeze frame data — it tells the tech what was happening when the code set.
Why: Pending codes you address now are warranty work you don't do later, free.
- 8
Lights, wipers, horn, washer fluid
Walk every exterior light. Cycle wipers. Sound the horn. Top washer fluid. Cheap items, high visibility, builds trust that you're being thorough.
Why: These are 60-second checks that customers notice on the invoice. They are also legitimate safety items.
- 9
Write the inspection up with severity tiers
Score every item Red (immediate), Yellow (recommended), Green (good). Service writer uses these tiers to build the estimate conversation. Photos attached to every Red and Yellow.
Why: Tiered inspections turn a list into a conversation. Customers approve Red items immediately and defer Yellows — both are wins.
Verify when done
- ☐Customer's stated complaint addressed first and documented
- ☐Photos on every Red and Yellow finding
- ☐OBD-II scan results saved to the RO
- ☐Inspection fully reviewed by the service writer before customer call
Common mistakes
- ✕Skipping the road test for the customer's complaint
- ✕Eyeballing tire tread instead of measuring it
- ✕No photos on the inspection — looks like guesses
- ✕Voltage-only battery 'test' instead of a load test
Trainer notes
New techs skip the road test for the customer's complaint and dive into the multi-point. Make the road test step #1 every time. It's the difference between a service and a sales pitch.
Common questions
Who should run the vehicle inspection procedure (multi-point)?
Technicians, service writers verifying inspection results.
When should this auto repair shop procedure be run?
On every vehicle as part of intake or as a stand-alone service.
How many steps does the vehicle inspection procedure (multi-point) have?
9 steps. The procedure starts with "Verify the customer's complaint first" and ends with "Write the inspection up with severity tiers". Each step in between has the action and the reason it matters.
What's the most common mistake when running this procedure?
Skipping the road test for the customer's complaint. New techs skip the road test for the customer's complaint and dive into the multi-point. Make the road test step #1 every time. It's the difference between a service and a sales pitch.
Can I get a custom version written for my auto repair shop business?
Yes. TalkNDone generates a custom SOP from your voice or text description in about 5 minutes — written using your team's words, your equipment, and your specific procedure. $49 one-time, free preview before you pay, no subscription. Start at talkndone.com.
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