Tips on improving your reports

Here are some things inspectors can do to improve there reports.

• Ensure that all reports are factual and absent of personal opinion. Should the claim go to legal, the facts are all that matter, and an opinion may actually damage the case.
• Verify all reports are definitive, and all questions that were asked have been answered.
  
• If stating something appears to be pre-existing, document the proof to support it. (i.e. short or long term leaks, road grime build-up or the amount of play in a component).
• Do not just state “per TSB” or the “technician said he had this code and this was the failure.” Request the technician demonstrate what was done to determine the failure, up to and including any specifications, electrical readings, codes, gauges or diagnostic trees.
• Ensure photographs confirm the failure.  Multiple shots of front end components without the proof of excessive play are not beneficial. How was the failure verified? Perhaps the use of a dial indicator would be helpful.
• Avoid discussing items with the technician or service advisor that are not on the repair order, yet discovered by the inspection. Instead, note it in the report, and the administrator will make the decision regarding the add-on.