How and why to document pre-existing damage by Mike Phillips

[Mike Phillips]

How and why to document pre-existing damage by Mike Phillips



How?

Walk around the car and using your Detailer's Trained Eyes - look for pre-existing damage. As a trained professional - you know what to look for and where to look for it. When you discover damage - take a picture and record it on your Vehicle Inspection Form.


Why?

To protect yourself so you do not get the blame. By documenting the damage already existed BEFORE you work on the car you cannot be held accountable.


Here's a 1988 Porsche 928 with the original single stage paint that I detailed recently. Upon inspection, I found the edge on the back side of the passenger side front fender to have a burn through. A burn-through is a term used to describe where paint is missing, usually on edges, corners or raised body lines.


Here's how you document

First frame-up the shot. From this position you can see what part of the car I'm looking at.





Then find a way to point out exactly where and what the damage is, use your finger or a pencil, etc.




Then zoom in to fully capture the damage.




Here's the car....




Here's the location of the pre-existing damage.






Always try to inspect with the owner present. If damage is discovered when the owner is not present then take a picture immediately and send to the owner. The photo and your text message will have a time stamp.

[Mike Phillips]

Continued....


Here's 3 ways Autogeek can help you to document pre-existing damage.



1: Yancy's updated version of my original VIF - Yancy created multiple forms with different types of vehicles to choose from. These are editable PDF forms and they are free.

Autogeek Vehicle Inspection Forms







2: If you want my original form created in Microsoft Word - send me an e-mail and I'll send you a copy.

Click here to send me an e-mail





3: Download the Auto-Spector App for iphones and ipads - sorry no other OS availalbe.


Click here to download the VIF App


Screenshot of App interface





Watch this video to learn what the VIF App can do for you and how to use it.

[dmiracle]

Continued....

3: Download the Auto-Spector App for iphones and ipads - sorry no other OS availalbe.


Click here to download the VIF App


Screenshot of App interface





Watch this video to learn what the VIF App can do for you and how to use it.

Sorry to bring this back up, but does anyone still use this app? Most posts are a year + old. I’m just starting out in the business and this app seems like a great thing…if it’s still being updated and properly functions!

[Mike Phillips]

Sorry to bring this back up, but does anyone still use this app?

Sorry to say but "no".

Sorry to say there's been no updating or improving of he App either.

There are lots of other options where the App and Software are viable and continually updated, here's a short list,

Urable
MobileTechRX
DetailBookie
RoadFS


There's others too I just can't remember off the top of my head.

[dmiracle]

Understandable! Thanks for the response, Mike! I'll check into the others you listed and see what I find.