Vehicle Condition Report
Re-Imagined
Overview
The Condition Report (CR) is a critical tool that Manheim wholesale dealers rely on when making purchasing decisions. Buyers need clear, detailed, and accurate condition data to feel confident whether they’re bidding online or in the physical auction lane. To strengthen buyer trust, Manheim invested in reimagining the CR experience.
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Manheim conducts a substantial number of vehicle inspections annually, with over 4 million inspections expected in the current year (2025). Additionally, vehicles with CRs tend to sell for higher prices and have lower arbitration rates, highlighting their importance in the sales process.
The Challenge
Updating a tool that dealers use daily required balancing the need for meaningful improvements with users’ strong attachment to familiar workflows, while also addressing inconsistent interfaces and an outdated, cramped design.
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Dealers were resistant to change; any update needed to deliver immediate, tangible value.
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The legacy Condition Report hadn’t been updated in over seven years, and users were deeply accustomed to its layout and workflow. Many dealers review hundreds of reports each week, so even small changes risked slowing them down.
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Disrupting established workflows could lead to frustration and temporary productivity loss.
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The interface was cramped, used very small font sizes, and was difficult to scan quickly.
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Mobile and desktop versions of the CR differed significantly, creating a confusing, inconsistent cross-device experience for dealers who are often on the go.
Business objectives:
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Deliver improved, trustworthy data to instill greater buyer confidence.
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Enhance the speed and efficiency of research during the vehicle evaluation process.
​​​​​​Key Features and Enhancements
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Vehicle Dashboard Icons: Provided quick, at-a-glance vehicle damage information at the top of the page, saving users time.
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Customizable Damage Overview: Users can view damage through either the Interactive Flat Car or the Damage List View. A color-coded line drawing highlights vehicle damage, and clicking on a damage panel shows more details and any available photos.
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Integrated Vehicle History: AutoCheck Snapshot data is displayed directly on the CR page, giving users immediate access to key vehicle history.
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User-Centered Design: Conducted multiple rounds of user testing and iterated designs throughout development. A key insight was the importance of change management—it took over two weeks for dealers to become confident using the new system.
“I think the newer one is better, because it gives you more detailed information and makes it faster and easier to assess what you are looking for.”
My role was to re-architect the information design and craft new interaction patterns that streamline how buyers access and interpret condition data—ultimately supporting more informed and confident purchase decisions.
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Lead Interaction Designer
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Conducted Competitive & Benchmark Analysis
Recognition & Innovation
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Nominated for a TAG Excalibur Award, finishing as one of three finalists.
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Co-inventor of a patent for a graphical user interface that includes the dashboard display icons and Interactive Flat Car, enabling users to quickly understand vehicle condition at a glance.
Buyer Impact & Success
By redesigning the Condition Report, we saved dealers about 1 minute per report, enabling them to review more vehicles each week, which is essential for users evaluating hundreds of cars before purchase. With features like dashboard icons, the Interactive Flat Car, and integrated vehicle history, combined with user testing and change management, the tool became faster, more intuitive, and visually rich.
The redesign boosted efficiency, strengthened buyer confidence, and earned industry recognition, including a TAG Excalibur Award nomination and a patent.