Here’s a cool car fact for you: a typical vehicle entering your shop today contains more computing power than the systems that guided early space missions.

These advanced electronics control everything from basic operations to complex safety features. Yet many of these systems won't display obvious signs of malfunction on the dashboard nor is a visual inspection going to cut it.

That’s where pre-scanning comes in.

Pre-scanning is a diagnostic test performed before any repairs or maintenance work on a vehicle to identify any existing fault codes or issues that may be present.

Recent data shows 80% of successful collision centers now conduct pre-scans on most vehicles—and that number is only increasing—which is a great thing. 

Yet not all shops are completing this extremely important step in the process. 

In this post, we’ll explain why it’s so important to close this gap via five reasons pre-scanning must be an essential component of professional repair operations.

Five reasons pre-scanning is a vital part of your repair workflow

Each of these reasons represents a critical aspect of what shop owners are dealing with today, each backed by data and real-world experience from successful shops across the country.

Reason #1 - Ensures complete repair planning

This one is fairly straightforward so we’ll keep this one short and sweet. 

Nobody wants to discover issues midway through a repair. It’s frustrating to the technicians. It’s frustrating for customers.

Pre-scanning is the best way to ensure your technicians know which systems require attention from the start, they can order parts earlier, schedule calibrations more efficiently, and provide accurate completion timelines to customers.

When it comes to ADAS calibrations, pre-scanning also determines whether a vehicle needs static calibration (performed in the shop) or dynamic calibration (conducted during road testing). Similarly, they may uncover which ADAS systems are triggering fault codes or DTC's requiring post repair static calibration

This crucial information affects scheduling, bay allocation, and equipment requirements. Without this advanced knowledge, shops risk booking inappropriate repair slots or lacking necessary calibration equipment for onboard ADAS features when needed.

Reason #2 - Spot issues that a visual inspection will miss

As we stated up top, vehicles are packed with sensors and electronic systems that often operate invisibly. 

Recent analysis of repair data shows that approximately 40% of vehicles had underlying electronic issues that weren't visible during initial inspection. 

A vehicle might appear undamaged while harboring serious electronic issues. Pre-scanning gives you a strong baseline and identifies these hidden problems through diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) that standard visual inspections can't detect.

For instance: A misaligned radar sensor can disable automatic emergency braking without any visible indicators. 

Steering angle sensor errors may compromise lane-keeping assistance. Impact sensors might require reset even when airbags haven't deployed. These issues, while invisible to the naked eye, significantly impact vehicle safety and performance.

This statistic alone demonstrates why relying solely on visual inspections puts both shops and customers at risk.

Reason #3 - Pre-scanning protects your business

Recording a vehicle's electronic condition before repairs begin creates a clear baseline and an accurate diagnosis that prevents disputes about pre-existing conditions or repair-related issues. 

This documentation becomes particularly valuable when dealing with insurance companies, customers, and potential liability claims.

The numbers make a compelling case: Repair facilities report that comprehensive pre-scan documentation reduces payment disputes in a vast majority of cases. These records prove particularly valuable when dealing with ADAS-equipped vehicles, where proper system function directly impacts driver safety and might raise questions with insurers as to whether or not calibration procedures need to be done. 

More importantly, pre-scan documentation helps defend against future claims about system malfunction or improper repair procedures. When a customer returns months later with concerns, your pre-scan records provide clear evidence of the vehicle's condition before repairs began.

OEM requirements add another layer of importance to pre-scanning documentation. Leading manufacturers like Honda, Acura, and Toyota are even mandating pre-scans to validate repairs and prevent warranty disputes. 

Reason #4 - it drives more revenue

A thorough pre-scan often reveals additional repair requirements, leading to more accurate initial estimates and improved capture rates.

Data from collision centers completing pre-scans on a majority of vehicles demonstrates that pre-scanning increases average repair order values not from unnecessary work, but from identifying legitimate repair needs that might otherwise go unnoticed until later in the process. 

Early detection means these repairs can be included in the initial estimate, reducing the administrative burden of processing supplements.

Here’s an example: identifying a malfunctioning ADAS sensor during pre-scan prevents the expense of teardown and reassembly after the fact. Efficiency improvement translates directly to increased bay turnover and higher monthly revenue.

Reason #5 - Pre-scanning ensures customer safety

ADAS features can only operate properly because of interconnected sensors and cameras that must function perfectly to protect occupants. 

Even minor collisions can compromise these systems in ways that aren't immediately apparent, making pre-scanning an essential safety verification tool.

In one study, 68% of vehicles did not display a check engine light, yet nearly 74% of these vehicles had issues with one or more systems. These issues range from compromised airbag sensors to malfunctioning collision avoidance systems. 

Pre-scanning helps identify these potential safety risks before repairs begin, ensuring they're addressed as part of the repair plan rather than discovered after the vehicle returns to service.

However, ADAS features add another layer of complexity as an improperly calibrated feature in many cases may not show as broken or malfunctioning according to scanning tools.

Handling these situations requires a different approach.

Pre-scanning shows only partial insights into ADAS systems. 

Even the most thorough pre-scan might not detect every ADAS feature on a vehicle, especially those operating normally but requiring calibration after repair. 

This limitation creates significant risks in repair planning.

VIN-specific ADAS identification addresses this challenge directly. 

Tools like Revv's VIN search provide comprehensive data on every ADAS feature installed on a vehicle, independent of their current operational status. By combining pre-scan results with accurate VIN-based ADAS identification, shops can create detailed repair plans accounting for all required calibrations.

Make no mistake, pre-scanning should be a mandatory part of every repair but it doesn’t guarantee that you’re seeing the full picture. 

Talk to a Revv team member today and see how easy it is to never miss another calibration opportunity again.