Workshop Software for Car Dealerships
Work orders, spare parts, and invoices in one system – seamlessly integrated with vehicle trading and accounting.
Why Does a Car Dealership Need Its Own Workshop Software?
The workshop in a car dealership is fundamentally different from a standalone independent workshop. Used cars need to be reconditioned before sale, warranty work comes in, and workshop customers are potential buyers for the next vehicle. Without the right software, work orders get mixed up, parts are ordered incorrectly, and invoices are written too late.
Digital intake protocol with photo capture. Vehicle data is automatically pulled from inventory – VIN, mileage…
The Work Order Process – From Intake to Billing
Intake & Diagnosis
Digital intake protocol with photo capture. Vehicle data is automatically pulled from inventory – VIN, mileage, previous workshop visits. Cost estimate with labor values and parts prices.
Execution & Time Tracking
Mechanic clocks work time per order via tablet. Parts are taken directly from inventory and assigned to the order. Real-time status updates for all stakeholders.
Quality Control
Checklists and photo documentation. Comparison between estimated labor values and actual time required for post-calculation of every order.
Invoice & Handover
Automatic invoice from order data. Direct transfer to accounting. Cash payment via the integrated POS system with TSE.
Features at a Glance
Order Management
Manage all workshop orders centrally: customer orders, warranty, internal reconditioning, and recalls. Automatic status tracking from intake to delivery with digital signature at handover.
Time Tracking
Order-specific time tracking via tablet. Comparison of estimated labor values and actual time. Productivity metrics per mechanic and automatic post-calculation.
Spare Parts Management
Real-time inventory, minimum stock warnings, automatic reorder suggestions. Order parts directly from the work order with price comparison across multiple suppliers and TecDoc integration.
Workshop Planning
Visual drag-and-drop planner with bays, mechanics, and time slots. Online appointment booking for customers, capacity display, and reserved emergency slots.
Workshop Software Comparison: Dealership vs. Independent Workshop
| Function | Standalone Workshop Software | AutoPult (Trade + Workshop) |
|---|---|---|
| Order management | Yes | Yes, incl. trade orders |
| Reconditioning costs → vehicle calculation | Manual transfer | Automatically in vehicle file |
| Workshop customer → vehicle prospect | No cross-selling | Automatically in CRM |
| Accounting | Separate system | Integrated with §25a |
| POS system with TSE | Separate system | Fully integrated |
| Data maintenance | Duplicate (workshop + trade) | Once – one system |
Special Feature: Reconditioning for Trade
A common workflow in car dealerships: a used car is purchased and needs to be reconditioned before sale. In AutoPult, the reconditioning order is created directly from the trade module. All work and parts are documented, costs automatically flow into the vehicle cost calculation, and once completed, the vehicle is marked as ready for sale – the salesperson sees this immediately in the CRM.
Trade and Workshop in One Platform
The biggest advantage of AutoPult over standalone workshop solutions: there are no interfaces to maintain, no data silos, and no duplicate data entry.
- Vehicle file: Trade data and workshop history in one record
- Reconditioning orders: Costs automatically flow into the vehicle cost calculation
- Customer linking: Workshop customers are automatically in the CRM – ideal for cross-selling
- Unified invoicing: Vehicle sales, workshop, and parts through one system
- POS system: Cash and debit card payments via the integrated POS system with TSE
- Mobile access: Mechanics work on tablets in the workshop
Documentation Requirements in the Workshop
Workshop orders are subject to strict documentation requirements: cost estimates must be fixed in writing, overruns exceeding 15% require customer approval, and replaced parts must be returned on request. AutoPult automatically logs every step and archives approvals, photos, and signatures in GoBD-compliant format.
Workshop and Trade Finally in One System
Try AutoPult free for 14 days – including workshop planner and spare parts management.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workshop Software
A general ERP cannot map the specialized workshop workflows in a car dealership: intake protocol with photo documentation, order-specific time tracking, labor value calculation, and the link to vehicle trading. AutoPult combines ERP and workshop in one platform.
Mechanics clock their work time per order directly on a tablet – start, pause, stop. The data flows in real time into the order calculation and enables comparison between estimated labor values and actual time required.
Yes. AutoPult offers online appointment booking that feeds directly into the workshop planner. Customers select their desired service, see available time slots, and receive a confirmation. The appointment automatically appears in the schedule.
Reconditioning orders are linked directly to the vehicle record. All labor times and parts costs automatically flow into the vehicle cost calculation and are factored into the vehicle’s contribution margin.