by Caitlin Vandewater | Mar 20, 2026 | Fixed Ops, Video MPIs
In the modern service lane, the wrench is only half the battle. As we move into 2026, the automotive industry has reached a tipping point: transparency is no longer a luxury—it’s a requirement. Major brands and top-tier dealership groups are increasingly mandating...
by Caitlin Vandewater | Mar 15, 2026 | Fixed Ops, Video MPIs
Let’s be real: we’ve all been told that “attention spans are disappearing” and that customers want everything in 30 seconds or less. But when it comes to a $2,000 repair recommendation, a 15-second clip of a shaky flashlight pointing at a leaky strut...
by Caitlin Vandewater | Mar 6, 2026 | Fixed Ops, Video MPIs
In the world of modern automotive service, the Video Multi-Point Inspection (MPI) has become a double-edged sword. On one hand, Service Managers and Fixed Ops Directors see it as a transparent way to build trust with customers and increase average repair order (ARO)...
by Caitlin Vandewater | Mar 2, 2026 | Fixed Ops, Video MPIs
The automotive industry is changing faster than a dual-clutch transmission, but many tech school curriculums are still stuck in the era of paper clipboards and carbon-copy forms. While students are learning to tear down engines, they’re missing the single most...
by Caitlin Vandewater | Feb 25, 2026 | Fixed Ops, Video MPIs
The automotive industry is in the middle of a digital revolution, and it’s an exciting time to be an aspiring technician! At Surfwrench, we believe the next generation of mechanics shouldn’t just be great with their hands—they should be masters of the modern...
by Caitlin Vandewater | Aug 20, 2025 | Fixed Ops, Video MPIs
Let’s start with a scenario: You are a technician at a OEM dealership that has recently incorporated Video Multipoint Inspections into its service lane. One of the first vehicles to come into your bay has just over 5000 miles on the odometer and is in pristine...
