Shop Detect
What Is Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) and Why It Sells More Work
June 21, 2026 · Next Level Marketing Team
Digital vehicle inspection, or DVI, is the practice of documenting a vehicle inspection with photos, notes, and a clear report the customer can see, instead of a paper checklist. It sells more work because customers approve repairs faster when they can actually see the problem rather than just being told about it.
Key takeaways
- DVI documents an inspection with photos, notes, and a shareable report.
- Customers approve more work when they can see the issue.
- A faster DVI means more inspections and more approved jobs.
How does a digital vehicle inspection work?
A technician inspects the vehicle and captures findings as they go, including photos of worn or damaged parts. Those findings become a report tied to the repair order, which the service advisor can share with the customer. The customer sees the evidence and decides what to approve.
Why does DVI sell more work?
Trust. A customer who only hears a recommendation has to take it on faith. A customer who sees a photo of the worn part understands the problem and is far more comfortable approving the repair. Seeing is believing, and believing is approving.
What slows DVI down in real shops?
The documentation. If capturing photos and writing the report takes too long, techs cut it short or skip it. The fix is a tool that speeds up the writeup so a thorough inspection does not cost the tech extra time. That is what Shop Detect is built to do.
Reference: Tekmetric shop management
Frequently asked questions
Is digital vehicle inspection only for big shops?
No. Shops of any size use DVI. The benefit, more approved work through customer trust, applies whether you run one bay or many.
Do customers actually look at the report?
Yes. A report with clear photos is easy to understand, which is exactly why it helps customers approve recommended work.
How is Shop Detect related to DVI?
Shop Detect is a Chrome plugin built to speed up digital vehicle inspections and send them to the repair order, so DVI takes less time and turns into more booked work.