Tool Review: Autel Pre-SCAN and Post-SCAN report feature software
Autel's Pre-SCAN / Post-SCAN report feature was recently added to all MaxiSYS MS906TS tablet tools. Wirelessly scan all modules in all vehicles for DTCs to more accurately assess collision damage and ensure all systems affected by the collision have been repaired. Now this collision-repair ready software update easily creates advanced repair reports that can be repair shop branded for a more professional insurance carrier submission, according to the company. Attach image collision evidence to the vehicle report, as well as DTC data evidence from the vehicle system, then email or print reports for faster insurance carrier approval and easier shop project management, all from the MS906TS.
The Review
Scott Grant is the President of ProTech, a Dallas based company since 1995. Grant manages mobile auto repair technicians providing diagnostic solutions, OE-level module programming and ADAS calibration. Grant says his mobile fleet operates by “dispatching vans to repair locations prepared with OE scan tools, OE software laptops, as well as an aftermarket scan tool.” He says Autel scan tools are their “go-to” in his competitive business, as they offer wider coverage needed at diverse vehicle repair shops.
Within the past 10 years ProTech’s main focus has centered more on collision related services. This is where Autel’s Pre-SCAN and Post-SCAN feature capabilities are particularly useful. “We offer these solutions to major body shop chains and it’s been highly successful,” says Grant. He notes the biggest benefit of the Autel tool and Pre-SCAN and Post-SCAN reporting feature, is the time savings component. “In my opinion, if you did a Pre-SCAN on every vehicle, it would assist in greater repair planning; you would know what components were damaged and needed to be replaced up front; no guesswork or backend repairs - dramatically cutting down on customer return issues.”
To setup the Autel Android based touchscreen tablet, simply plug the MS906TS wireless VCI into the vehicle OBDII port. Ensure the bluetooth VCI is paired to the tablet and the AutoSCAN function scans all available modules for faults. This DTC information populates the Pre-SCAN and Post-SCAN reports technicians can easily review and identify the problem systems, then discuss issues with the repair writer. “They’ll email out a scan sheet to whomever is handling the claim to use in repair planning,” says Grant. They can also drop the document into an estimating file to show they’ve anticipated the repair.
One Pre-SCAN scenario looked at a front-end collision where there were multiple park assist sensors, or the radar cruise module in the center had been damaged. “We list those items out as damaged items in the collision. This helped the service writer get those components put onto his initial write,” says Grant.
In another instance, Grant says they had a right rear corner collision on a Toyota Sienna van. “If it wasn’t for a Pre-SCAN [conducted on the vehicle], the service writer wouldn’t have known the blind spot module had been damaged internally, because there was no visible damage,” he says.
Technicians at ProTech recently performed a Post-SCAN on a 2017 Yukon. The center did not notice the passenger side pretensioner had been deployed. “The vehicle’s indicator on the dash was not caught until we ran the Post-SCAN on the car. They had not set a delivery date on the vehicle yet; but using the Post-SCAN we were able to meet the delivery date and keep the customer happy,” says Grant.
He points out, “The majority of insurance carriers and repair facilities are more interested in the post scan side of things to make sure everything has been repaired correctly after the fact.”
From what he’s seen, Grant says the Autel scanner is fairly easy to use if a technician possesses good mechanical and automotive sense. “You’re walking through questions the tool is asking you. As long as you’re putting a check in the right spot, it’s pretty straightforward,” he says. He adds it is very user-friendly, with solid back-end support and experienced Autel technician support to help troubleshoot and diagnose issues along the way.
