- Digital Inspections: Replace paper checklists with mobile-friendly inspections on tablets and smartphones.
- Photo & Video Sharing: Send visual proof of vehicle issues directly to customers via text or email.
- Customer Approvals: Collect digital approvals before starting repair work to reduce delays.
- Workflow Integration: Seamlessly sync inspections with RO Writer’s shop management system.
- Custom Templates: Use prebuilt inspection templates or customize checklists for your shop.
Rowriter Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI Suite)
Digital vehicle inspections that build trust and increase auto shop revenue
Updated February 27, 2026
Rowriter Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI Suite) Overview
RO Writer Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI Suite) is a mobile-first inspection solution designed for auto repair shops. It replaces paper inspections with digital checklists, photos, and videos shared directly with customers.
Integrated natively into RO Writer’s shop management system, the DVI Suite improves transparency, streamlines workflows, and helps shops close more jobs with confidence while increasing efficiency and average repair order value.
Key Features
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Featured |
|---|---|---|
| RO Writer Essentials | Custom Quote (Pricing on Request) | Unlimited users and invoices, Inventory management, One-way customer texting |
| RO Writer (Advanced) | $219/month (First Year, Billed Monthly) | Two-way texting with photos/videos, Advanced reporting dashboards, Multi-location management |
| Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI Suite) Add-On | Custom Quote (Add-On Pricing) | Photo & video inspections, Digital approvals, Integrated with RO Writer workflows |
Price details: https://info.rowriter.com/pricing/
Pros
Competitor |
Pros |
|---|---|
| AutoVitals | RO Writer DVI Suite benefits from native integration with a full shop management system, reducing the need for third-party syncing. Compared to AutoVitals, it offers a more unified workflow, simpler onboarding for existing RO Writer users, and stronger alignment between inspections, estimates, and invoicing. |
| Tekmetric | Compared to Tekmetric, RO Writer DVI Suite provides deeper customization options and long-established automotive workflows. It is often preferred by traditional and high-volume shops that want granular control over inspections, roles, and reporting without switching platforms. |
| Shopmonkey | RO Writer DVI Suite offers stronger inspection detail with built-in photo and video validation tools. For shops prioritizing customer education and trust-building visuals, RO Writer’s inspection-first approach can feel more robust than Shopmonkey’s lighter DVI features. |
| Mitchell 1 | Against Mitchell 1, RO Writer DVI Suite stands out for its mobile inspection experience and real-time customer communication. The ability to text photos and videos directly helps close jobs faster and improves transparency during the repair process. |
| ARI | Compared to ARI, which focuses heavily on fleet management, RO Writer DVI Suite is better optimized for independent and multi-location repair shops. It emphasizes ease of use, technician adoption, and customer-facing inspection reports. |
Cons
Competitor |
Cons |
|---|---|
| AutoVitals | Compared to AutoVitals, RO Writer DVI Suite can feel less modern in UI design. Some shops report a steeper learning curve and occasional performance issues, especially after the transition to cloud-based versions. |
| Tekmetric | Tekmetric generally offers a more intuitive cloud-native experience. In comparison, RO Writer DVI Suite may require more training and configuration, which can slow adoption for smaller shops seeking simplicity. |
| Shopmonkey | Shopmonkey’s pricing transparency and modern UX can be more appealing. RO Writer DVI Suite relies heavily on custom quotes, which may be a drawback for shops wanting clear, upfront pricing. |
| Mitchell 1 | Mitchell 1 often provides broader OEM data integrations. RO Writer DVI Suite, while strong in inspections, may require additional add-ons or integrations to match Mitchell 1’s data depth. |
| ARI | ARI excels in enterprise fleet reporting and analytics. RO Writer DVI Suite is more shop-focused and may lack the advanced fleet-wide insights required by large corporate or government operations. |
Reviews
- Capterra Review (Rating: 3.8/5): One long-term user shared that Rowriter Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI Suite) supported their shop for over 12 years and handled both retail and fleet management effectively, calling it a versatile fit for small and large operations alike.
- Software Advice Review (Rating: 3.8/5): Rowriter Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI Suite) helps shops “get the most out of every Repair in the Shop” and guides each job from customer communication all the way through invoicing, which one reviewer highlighted as a major advantage.
