Most drivers expect two things from a service visit. They want to know what the car needs, and they want to see why. A digital vehicle inspection, often called a DVI, does both. It gives you photos, short videos, and clear notes from a technician, so decisions feel simple instead of stressful.
You can review the report on your phone, share it with a family member, and ask questions with everything in front of you.
What a Digital Vehicle Inspection Includes
A DVI follows a set checklist that covers safety, maintenance, and any concerns you mention at drop off. The technician documents tire tread and age, brake pad thickness, rotor condition, fluid levels and health, battery status, suspension wear points, lights, filters, belts, and leaks. You will see exact measurements rather than vague terms.
- Tread depth readings across the inner, center, and outer ribs
- Pad thickness at each wheel and rotor condition notes
- Battery test results with age and cold cranking numbers
- Fluid condition snapshots, including coolant strength and brake fluid moisture
These details turn a quick look into a record you can reference later.
Photos and Video That Explain the Why
Words alone do not always land. A photo of a tire with cords showing on the inside edge tells the story of a bad alignment better than any sentence. A short video of a loose ball joint or a leaking water pump makes the choice obvious. Good shops label each image and add arrows or circles, so you know exactly what you are seeing.
If a part is borderline, we show both the worn area and a healthy comparison, which helps you decide whether to handle it now or plan it for a future visit.
Color Codes You Can Trust
DVIs use a simple traffic light system. Green means good, yellow means watch or plan soon, and red means urgent. The important part is matching those colors to measurements. For example, a pad at 4 millimeters lands in the yellow range, while 2 millimeters is red. A battery that tests at the lower end of capacity might be yellow in summer and red before winter.
When numbers sit next to the colors, the report stops feeling like a sales pitch and starts feeling like a snapshot of your car’s health.
Catching Small Problems Before They Grow
Minor issues tend to hide until they are no longer minor. A slight seep at a valve cover can drip onto a hot exhaust and turn into that burning smell you notice after errands. A weak belt tensioner can squeak once in the morning, then fail on a trip. DVIs find these early. That gives you time to schedule repairs on your terms and bundle work to save a second visit. The same is true for tires.
A quick tread depth photo across all ribs helps you spot inner edge wear before a long highway drive in heavy rain.
How DVIs Improve Communication and Approval
With a DVI, the report arrives by text or email. You can open it during a meeting break, look through the photos, and approve items with a click. If you want to hold off on something, note it, and we will add it to the watch list for next time.
This flow keeps the shop moving and keeps you in control. It also reduces mistakes because both sides see the same images and notes.
Paper Trails for Warranty and Resale
A stack of clear digital reports adds value. If a part fails under warranty, the DVI from a prior visit shows that the system was inspected and in range. If you sell the car, the buyer can see brake measurements, alignment proof, battery tests, and fluid checks from the past year. That record builds trust and often makes a sale smoother.
For fleet or rideshare drivers, digital reports make it easier to track maintenance across several vehicles and avoid downtime.
What To Expect During Your First DVI
At check-in, tell us about noises, smells, or changes you have noticed. We add those to the inspection list. While you go about your day, the technician works through the checklist, taking photos and short clips where needed. You receive the report link with clear estimates for any work. If something can wait, it will be marked as such with the measurement that led to that decision.
When you pick up the car, we can review the highlights together and set reminders based on your mileage and driving pattern.
See Your Car Clearly with A Plus Automotive in Kelowna, BC
A Plus Automotive uses digital inspections to make service decisions easy. Our team measures, photographs, and explains each finding in plain language, then helps you sort what is urgent and what can be scheduled. Call us to set up an appointment, or visit our Kelowna location, and leave with a clear report on your phone and a car that feels right on the road.