Computer-based methods and systems for facilitating the inspection of a vehicle to detect the presence of damage and problems with previous repair and to guide the inspection, estimation, and repair of direct and indirect damage are provided. Exemplary embodiments provide an inspection facilitator, which includes an inspection engine and an inspection interface. The inspection engine and inspection interface can be implemented as an expert system, which directs a technician or apparatus to perform a uniform inspection process. When used to detect prior damage and problems with previous repair, the inspection facilitator, after receiving vehicle specific information, first directs and guides an inspection of the underbody of the vehicle to detect gross-level or relevant damage and repair. The inspection facilitator then dynamically directs and guides an inspection of the outerbody of the vehicle based upon the nonconformities indicated in response to each directed inspection task. When used to guide an inspection, estimate, and/or repair of direct and indirect damage, the inspection facilitator first directs an inspection of direct damage. The inspection facilitator then dynamically directs and guides an inspection of areas that are likely to have sustained indirect damage. The areas to be inspected and the inspection tasks are determined dynamically by comparing nonconformity input to facts and rules programmed into the inference engine of the inspection facilitator, in combination with retrieved manufacturing specifications, industry standard repair procedures, principles of energy management, and other relevant data.

 
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