Identify the vehicle before describing its condition
The VIN, year, make, model, and account reference should connect the report to the assignment. Record the location and time of observation so a lender can distinguish the recovery record from a later storage or delivery inspection.
Keys, visible mileage, and whether the vehicle could be operated at the time of observation are useful details when available. An unreadable display or unavailable key should be recorded as an information gap rather than filled in by assumption.
Make the photo record useful to another person
- Exterior views that show each side and make the vehicle recognizable.
- Closer views of visible dents, broken glass, missing parts, or other damage.
- Interior views and the dashboard or odometer when accessible.
- A record of loose items or personal property handled during recovery.
- Notes that explain anything the photographs cannot show clearly.
Separate observations from conclusions
Visible damage documentation is not a mechanical diagnosis or a valuation. A vehicle that looks intact may still have operating problems. Likewise, a photograph of a damaged panel does not by itself establish when the damage occurred.
Our recovery process includes timestamped condition documentation for the lender. Ask about any additional inspection requirements before placing the assignment, especially when your auction or insurer expects a particular format.
Use the record through storage and delivery
A report is most useful when it remains connected to later custody changes. The lender can compare recovery photos with storage-arrival observations and the receiving facility’s record, rather than treating several unrelated photo sets as one inspection.
Keep the assignment reference on requests for clarification. If a photo needs explanation, identify the view or item involved so the question can be answered against the actual record.