Summary
The Guided Vehicle Walkaround Inspection feature provides a structured, photo-based workflow in Dealerware+ to document vehicle conditions at every critical touchpoint—including check-out, check-in, and mid-loan spot checks. By replacing manual or paper checklists with a mobile-first, guided sequence, dealerships can eliminate customer disputes, capture clear evidence, and standardize condition tracking across all staff members.
Things to know before you use it:
8 Standard Exterior Zones: The mandatory guided sequence covers 8 primary exterior zones (Front, Passenger Front, Passenger Side, Passenger Rear, Rear, Driver Rear, Driver Side, Driver Front). Interior and "Other" zones are also available as options.
Configurable Enforcement: Dealership admins can choose whether inspections are mandatory or optional for each individual rental program.
Seamless Contract Flow: The tool integrates directly into your existing workflow; once inspections are finished, standard processes like customer signatures and final contract closures remain unchanged.
How It Works
1. Mobile Flow (Primary Capture Tool)
Designed for staff working directly out at the vehicle, the mobile app guides the inspection from start to finish:
Starting Check-out: Access the Vehicle Details page specifically by navigating from the Reservation Overview page. Tap Start Check-out Inspection (Note: This button will not appear if you navigate directly from the general Vehicles tab).
Guided Sequence & Tagging: Follow the on-screen prompts to photograph each vehicle zone. Tap Damage Image at any point during the sequence to log specific notes (e.g., "scratch, rear bumper, ~3in").
Starting Check-in: When a vehicle returns, select Begin Vehicle Return to route to the Vehicle Details page, then tap Start Check-in Inspection. The app displays the check-out and check-in photos side-by-side, highlighting any newly flagged damage tags for immediate verification.
2. Web Flow (Review & Oversight)
Built for office staff and managers, the web portal provides centralized oversight and reporting:
View & Edit: From the Manage (Contracts) tab, staff can review all zone photos, add manual damage tags, and read inspection notes.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Compare timestamped check-out and check-in photos on a single screen to instantly identify new damage.
Export PDF Reports: Generate and download a comprehensive condition report PDF to support insurance claims, customer damage billing, or dispute resolutions.
3. Program Settings & Enforcement
Admins can manage compliance directly from the web portal:
Navigate to Settings > Location > Preferences.
Toggle the mandatory inspection setting per program.
When enabled: Staff will be blocked from starting or finishing a contract until at least one photo has been successfully uploaded for all 8 mandatory exterior zones.
FAQ
What happens if new damage is found at check-in, but that specific zone wasn't photographed at check-out?
The system will flag the area with a warning stating: "This zone was not documented at check-out." This alerts staff that a complete before-and-after historical comparison is unavailable for that zone.
Does this feature include automatic AI damage detection?
Not in this initial release. This phase focuses on collecting structured, high-quality photo data, which will serve as the foundation for a future AI damage-detection add-on.
Can web users upload images if needed?
Yes. While the mobile app is the primary tool for live vehicle capture, the web portal supports a file upload fallback if photos need to be added manually after the fact.