Fleet Forensics Slides Fleet Forensics
AUTO TECH SENIOR CAPSTONE
Training Vehicle Fleet Inspections
Fleet Forensics
Auction Assessment Guide
Establish the absolute truth of vehicle condition. Learn to evaluate and document automotive fleet assets like a certified wholesale auction inspector.
Goal: Objective Valuation
Standard: NAAA Grade Standards
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The Core Mandate
RULE #1: DOCUMENT, DON'T DIAGNOSE
Documenting
Recording observable, undeniable physical facts. Writing exactly what you can see, hear, or verify with standard testing.
"Engine required jump-pack to start."
"Puddle of clean green fluid under radiator."
Defensible. Objective. Legally bulletproof.
Diagnosing
Assuming a mechanical root cause without conducting standard shop diagnostics. Writing unverified guesses.
"Battery is dead and toast."
"Water pump blew a leak."
Speculative. Leads to incorrect valuation & liability.
If you haven't run a certified meter or pressure test, do not write it down as fact.
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The Inspection Process
PHASED WORKFLOW
Four Field Inspection Phases
01
Secure ID & Keys
Locate fleet ID, verify full VIN from safety plate, document keys, fobs, and operational battery status.
02
Start & Mechnical Check
Document exactly what happens when starting. Note engine runs/stalls, visible leaks, belt/hose integrity.
03
360° Walkaround
Inspect panel-by-panel. Record all dents, paint issues, tire conditions, and missing exterior trim.
04
Interior & Safety
Audit warning lights, seat condition, controls, safety restraints, and electrical accessories.
Carry your Rugged Clipboard Checklist . Fill in all blanks by hand before data entry.
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Photo Requirements
18 MANDATORY ANGLES
The Golden Visual Standard
Photos must be in focus, evenly lit, and taken from head-height or direct levels. No weird shadows or blurry panels.
Damage Capture Protocol:
For each severe defect, capture a wide photo showing context first, then a close-up photo showing exact scale and depth.
Vehicle Profile
Full Front & Rear
Full Driver & Passenger Sides
Four Corner Angles (3/4 view)
Engine Bay & Battery
Interior & Mechanics
Odometer (Must be readable)
Driver VIN Plate (B-Pillar or Windshield)
Front & Rear Seats
Dashboard Controls & Keys
Total Check: 18 base frames + 1 wide & 1 close-up per mechanical or body defect.
Review the Photo Guide Anchor Chart for exact camera positioning.
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Data Formatting
GOOGLE SHEETS & SLIDES
1. Master Spreadsheet
This acts as the inventory control board for the entire fleet. Standardized data entry ensures clean filtering.
Fill out every cell. No fields should be left blank.
Use exact dropdown selections (e.g., actual vs. estimated).
Insert direct link to the high-res photo folder.
2. Visual Profile Slides
A dedicated 7-slide deck for every vehicle. It functions as the buyer's guide for potential bidders.
Structure slides exactly as outlined in the Template Guide.
Embed high-res cropped photos of damages next to ratings.
Must include the final student evaluation question.
Review the Data Entry Templates to mirror layout expectations.
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Case Studies
OBJECTIVE STANDARDS IN ACTION
Real-world Documentation Scenarios
Scenario A: Underhood Fluid Pool
INCORRECT: "The water pump gasket has failed and it's blowing coolant everywhere."
CORRECT: "Active drip observed under the water pump housing; green fluid pooling on lower splash shield."
Scenario B: Non-Starting Attempt
INCORRECT: "The starter motor solenoid is burnt out and needs immediate replacement."
CORRECT: "Key turned to start position: instrument cluster lights dim; single heavy metallic click heard. No crank."
Diagnosing without tests ruins data credibility for wholesale auto transactions.
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Safety & Execution
SHOP PROTOCOLS
Field Inspection Safety
The garage environment demands absolute safety compliance. No shortcuts on structural checks.
Mandatory Safety Protocols
1
Eye Protection: Safety glasses must be worn at all times when working inside the engine compartment.
2
Wheel Chocks: Chock wheels before any attempt to key-on or start a vehicle. Set the parking brake immediately.
3
Lockout Key Protocol: Ensure clear verbal communication within your group before turning keys or jumping batteries.
Grab your Checklist & Clipboards . Proceed to shop bay.
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Clipboard Inspection Checklist Field Copy FORM: FF-AUDIT-2026
Fleet Forensics Audit Sheet
RULE: Document physical facts. Do NOT make unverified diagnostic guesses.
FLEET VEHICLE REPORT
BAY #: ______
Lead Inspector(s)
Inspection Date
Fleet Number / ID
1. Vehicle Identification Data
<table class="w-full text-[11px] border border-slate-300 rounded overflow-hidden"><tbody><tr class="border-b border-slate-300"><td class="w-1/4 bg-slate-50 px-2 py-1 font-bold border-r border-slate-300 text-slate-700">Year / Make / Model</td><td class="w-3/4 px-2 py-1 font-mono"></td></tr><tr class="border-b border-slate-300"><td class="bg-slate-50 px-2 py-1 font-bold border-r border-slate-300 text-slate-700">Trim / Sub-Model</td><td class="px-2 py-1 font-mono"></td></tr><tr class="border-b border-slate-300"><td class="bg-slate-50 px-2 py-1 font-bold border-r border-slate-300 text-slate-700">Full 17-Digit VIN</td><td class="px-2 py-1 font-mono tracking-widest text-[11px] font-semibold"></td></tr><tr><td class="bg-slate-50 px-2 py-1 font-bold border-r border-slate-300 text-slate-700">Plate # & Location</td><td class="px-2 py-1 font-mono"></td></tr></tbody></table>
Mileage
Current Odometer Value
MILES
Actual Est. Verify Fail
Keys & Fobs
Keys Available?
Qty:
Key Fob Present & Works Unlocks doors smoothly
2. Battery Status & Starting Behavior
Battery Visual
Present & Securely Bolted No visible terminal corrosion No casing swelling / structural leaks
Label/Date:
Starting Response
Starts Normally Requires jump pack / booster Cranks, but fails to ignite/start No crank / single solid solenoid click
3. Engine Compartment & Drivetrain Audit
Mechanical Integrity Engine visually complete Drive belts present & tensioned Hoses healthy (no obvious cracks)
Oil:
Coolant:
Drivetrain & Movement
Auto Manual
Transmission present & connected Moves under own power (if approved) Transmission engages gears Not road tested (safety/no-start)
Visual Engine rating:
Good Fair Poor Non-Op
Fleet Forensics: Classroom Curriculum Page 1 of 2
4. Panel-by-Panel Physical Body Inspection
Audit every panel. Look for dents, rust, paint fade, key scrapes, broken lenses, or structural collision evidence.
A. Front
Bumper/Grille Hood panel Headlights/Fog Windshield glass
B. Driver Side
Fender/Doors Qtr Panel/Sill Side Glass Mirror housing
Photo Blueprint Guide Visual Standard CODE: ANGLE-MAP-V1
Vehicle Photo Blueprint Guide
Camera placements for remote auction-grade condition reporting.
PROGRAM FLEET PREP
18 REQUIRED SHOTS
1. Exterior 360° Perspective Camera Angles
Cabin
1 Front
2 Front-Right
Passenger 3
4 Rear-Right
Rear 5
6 Rear-Left
7 Driver Side
8 Front-Left
2. Mandatory Component & Interior Details (Shots 9 - 18)
09. Driver VIN
Legible close-up of safety standard label on B-pillar.
10. Odometer
Must show complete digits and active cluster backlights.
11. Engine Bay
Wide underhood view showing layout completeness.
12. Battery Label
Legible date code sticker and structural terminal posts.
13. Dashboard
Front console from center of rear seat to capture buttons.
14. Driver Seat
Wide door-opening angle capturing wear on side bolster.
15. Keys & Fob
Laid flat on vehicle roof or hood to verify wear/blades.
16. Rear Cabin
View from passenger door showing upholstery status.
17. Tire Tread
Front wheels turned outward to capture inner tread wear.
18. Trunk/Cargo
Open gate revealing spare tire compartment contents.
3. Quality Control: The Two-Shot Damage Protocol
1 Wide Context Photo (Establishing)
Stand 4-6 feet back. Capture the entire panel (e.g., driver door) containing the damage. This establishes context and shows potential buyers exactly how the defect relates to the vehicle as a whole.
2 Close-Up Photo (Detail & Scale)
Move to within 12 inches of the damage. Hold a standard reference object (like a mechanical pencil, pocket ruler, or key) right next to the dent or paint scrape to indicate actual depth and length.
⭐ RULE: IF A DEFECT IS NOT PICTURED IN BOTH FRAMES, IT DOES NOT EXIST FOR WHOSALE APPRAISAL!
Fleet Forensics: Visual Anchor Chart Page 1 of 1
Grading Rubric Guide Teacher Resource STANDARDS-ALIGNED
Fleet Forensics Rubric Guide
Grading matrix for objective physical asset inspection and digital entry.
GRADING STANDARDS
TOTAL: 100 PTS
The Golden Grading Rule
Students lose automatic credit in Section 2 if they make unverified diagnoses (e.g., writing "blown radiator" instead of "green fluid puddle under grill area"). Credibility in wholesale auto transactions relies on strictly objective physical data.
Evaluation Category Exceptional (20 pts) Developing (14 pts) Unsatisfactory (0-8 pts) 1. Identification & Odometer Accuracy Complete, correct 17-digit VIN. Mileage is explicitly documented as actual, estimated, or unable to verify. No blanks. Minor VIN digit mistake or failure to define mileage estimation status. Some blanks left on worksheet. Severe specs mismatch. Guesswork mileage recorded without active cluster odometer photo verification. 2. Objective Writing Tone (Document vs. Diagnose) Zero diagnostic guesses. Description restricted entirely to physical, verifiable facts. No unverified system blame. 1-2 instances of speculative vocabulary (e.g. "needs starter" or "dead cell") instead of physical behavior. Multiple unverified diagnostic assertions. Fails to separate observable symptoms from physical root cause. 3. Photographic Portfolio & Angle Integrity All 18 standard angles present, sharp, and properly centered. Every body damage spot has a wide and scale close-up. Missing 1-2 photo angles, or some shots are blurry or shadowed. Scale reference missing from close-ups. More than 4 standard views missing. Focus or lighting is extremely poor, making condition assessments impossible. 4. Data Entry Structure & Layout Standards Spreadsheet completely filled with valid dropdown matches. Slide deck has uniform layout, working photo folders. Broken or messy columns. Photos are uncropped or misaligned on slides, forcing text formatting overlaps. Unfinished spreadsheet cells, broken high-res folder links, or chaotic visual layouts on slides. 5. Critical Thinking: Buyer Decision Angle
Data Entry Templates Format Standard TEMPLATE: MASTER-SHEET
Spreadsheet Entry Blueprint
Standardized columns and example objective values for the master fleet database.
DIGITAL DELIVERABLE 1
MASTER SPREADSHEET
Spreadsheet Entry Requirements:
Every vehicle must have exactly one row in the spreadsheet. Standardized syntax allows wholesale auction software to parse vehicle value correctly. Do not write sentence fragments that guess mechanical solutions.
Fleet_Inventory_2026_Live.xlsx
File edit tools help
Row Col A (ID) Col B (Specs) Col C (VIN) Col D (Odometer) Col E (Objective Starting & Mechanics) 1 FL-101 2012 Ford Escape XLT 1FMCU9D70CK****** 114,208 - Actual Starts immediately on key; engine operates steadily; light blue exhaust smoke observed. No active leaks detected on underhood cowl. 2 FL-102 2014 Honda Civic LX 1HGFB2F57EH****** Unable to Verify Key on run position: no cluster dash backlighting; no ignition or engine crank. Battery reads 1.4V with voltmeter. Not jumped due to heavy terminal rot. 3 FL-103 2015 Chevy Cruze LT 1G1PC5SB9F7****** 82,341 - Est. Requires jump pack to start; key-on dashboard active; single click when jump pack disconnected. Engine runs rough with intermittent misfire.
Required Database Fields Glossary
A. Operational Status
Must be labeled: "Runs normally", "Starts with jump", "Cranks but fails to start", or "No electrical power".
B. Under-hood Fluid Tags
Describe fluid spots with color/viscosity. e.g. "Heavy brown viscous leak near front steering rack".
C. Photo Folder Hyperlink
Must contain a direct URL link to a shared Google Drive folder containing all 18 standard photo angles.
Fleet Forensics: Deliverable Architecture Page 1 of 2
Format Standard TEMPLATE: SLIDE-DECK
Presentation Wireframe
The mandatory 7-slide layout required for every training fleet vehicle.
DIGITAL DELIVERABLE 2
SLIDE PROFILE
Presentation Styling Standards: Each group must compile a separate presentation for each vehicle. Keep backgrounds uniform, crop images neatly, and use arrows to point to damages in close-ups.
