Are you one of the many shop owners who is intrigued by the idea of offering customers pre- and post-scan on their vehicles, but have not yet implemented this practice? If so, it might be time to consider how offering pre- and post-scan reports could affect and even benefit your business.
What is pre- and post-scan data?
Pre- and post-repair scan data shows the condition of a vehicle's computer system(s) from the time when the car, truck or SUV rolls into the shop. The practice of providing these comprehensive details to customers began a few years ago at the request of most vehicle insurers to evaluate whether any underlying conditions could affect the repair.
Information in these scans includes current and pending codes, as well as the status of monitored systems. Such intel can prepare customers for issues that might arise in the near future or down the road, and back up those suggestions with factual data.
Back in March, Hyundai published a position statement on pre- and post-scanning addressed to the collision industry, and shared this position statement with astech.com.
“It is important that [Hyundai] vehicles involved in a collision have a pre-repair scan and post-repair scan so that repairers are aware of any diagnostic trouble codes that may be present, regardless if a warning light or malfunction indicator light is illuminated,” the statement read. “A pre-repair scan will alert the repairer to diagnostic trouble codes or items that may be malfunctioning within the vehicle. This aids the repairer to develop more accurate repair estimates prior to beginning repairs. The post-repair system scan provides confirmation that systems are functioning properly and calibrated.”
Although the above is a recommendation for the collision industry, more repair facilities are picking up the practice to offer a better, more comprehensive service to their customers. Consider the extra assurance pre- and post-scans provide, backed by data, as a value-add. Perhaps this is even becoming an expectation at a time when customers are accustomed to obtaining comprehensive information at their fingertips.
In this month’s issue you can learn about tools available for pre- and post-scans, as well as suggestions for implementing this process at your shop, in Barry Hoyland’s Tool Briefing column on page 38.
Talking an issue through with a customer before the repair is a proactive, trust-building move. Will you be implementing pre- and post-scans at your shop?
