This guide provides an overview of the Vehicle Health Check (VHC) process and explains how VHCs support workshop inspections, customer communication, and repair authorisation.

A VHC allows technicians to record inspection results, identify vehicle issues, and communicate repair recommendations clearly.

A supporting video walkthrough is available alongside this guide.

https://youtu.be/8ntRZn7p-IY

Why This Matters

Using VHCs correctly:

• Standardises workshop inspections.
• Improves communication with customers.
• Increases visibility of vehicle condition.
• Supports repair authorisation processes.
• Improves workshop efficiency.
• Creates a consistent inspection process across the business.

What is a VHC?

A Vehicle Health Check is a structured inspection process used during workshop activity.

Technicians use VHCs to:

• Record vehicle inspection results.
• Identify advisory and repair items.
• Add technician comments.
• Recommend additional work.
• Support customer authorisation.

VHCs provide a clear record of the vehicle condition during workshop visits.

Key Areas of the VHC Process

Vehicle and Job Information

The VHC links directly to the vehicle and workshop job.

This allows users to view:

• Vehicle details
• Customer information
• Workshop job references
• Inspection progress

Accurate vehicle and job information ensures inspections are recorded against the correct workshop activity.

Inspection Categories

VHC templates organise inspections into categories.

Examples may include:

• Brakes
• Tyres
• Battery
• Suspension
• Fluids
• Lights

These categories help technicians complete inspections consistently.

Inspection Results

Technicians record the outcome of each inspection item.

This may include:

• Pass items
• Advisory items
• Urgent repair items
• Technician comments

Inspection results help workshop staff and customers understand the vehicle condition.

Recommendations and Advisories

The VHC process allows technicians to recommend additional work where required.

Recommendations may include:

• Repair work
• Replacement parts
• Safety advisories
• Maintenance requirements

These recommendations support customer decision-making and workshop planning.

Customer Communication

VHCs support customer communication throughout the workshop process.

This may include:

• Sending inspection summaries
• Requesting work authorisation
• Sharing advisory information
• Providing repair recommendations

Clear communication improves customer understanding and approval processes.

Workshop Visibility and Reporting

VHCs improve visibility across workshop departments.

Users can monitor:

• Inspection progress
• Outstanding work
• Authorisation status
• Completed repairs

This supports workshop planning, reporting, and operational efficiency.

Typical VHC Workflow

A standard VHC process may include:

1. Vehicle booked into the workshop.
2. VHC created against the workshop job.
3. Technician completes the inspection.
4. Advisories and recommendations recorded.
5. Customer communication sent.
6. Customer authorises required work.
7. Additional work completed.
8. Workshop job invoiced and completed.

Best Practice

To maintain accurate VHC records:

• Always confirm vehicle details before starting.
• Use the correct VHC template.
• Record clear technician comments.
• Update statuses consistently.
• Review customer communications before sending.
• Save updates regularly during inspections.

Troubleshooting

VHC Cannot Be Created

Check:

• The workshop job exists.
• The vehicle record is correct.
• User permissions allow VHC creation.

Inspection Items Are Missing

Check:

• The correct template is assigned.
• Template configuration is complete.
• Inspection categories are active.

Customer Communication Cannot Be Sent

Check:

• Customer contact details.
• Email configuration settings.
• Communication permissions.

Statuses Are Not Updating

Check:

• The VHC was saved successfully.
• Required fields are complete.
• User permissions allow status updates.