HZD GmbH is one of Germany’s leading vehicle damage restoration specialists serving insurers, fleet operators, and private customers. HZD provides a fast, reliable service while minimising vehicle downtime.
Business Challenges and Priorities
Prior to the introduction of automated inspections, HZD faced the following challenges:
- Manual inspections were time-intensive and inconsistent, limiting service volume
- Scaling services to partner sites required digital standardisation
- An existing manual inspection pit required modified installation of underbody scanning hardware
To maintain its sector leading position accident and hail damage repair, HZD business priorities were to:
Reduce inspection and repair lead times to enhance operational throughput
Expand body damage and SMART repair services across Germany
Automate and digitise inspection processes to support partner network services
Provide a consistent, premium customer experience at every location
The Solution: AI-Powered Vehicle Inspection
To achieve these objectives, HZD deployed the InstaScan AI vehicle inspection system — an advanced, drive-through scanning solution capable of delivering fast, standardised condition reports with high imaging precision. The result is a fully automated, AI-powered inspection bay, featuring:
- InstaScan modular drive-through system (5–10 seconds per vehicle)
- AI-based damage recognition for tyres, underbody, and external surfaces
- In-ground tyre and underbody scanners, integrated with HZD’s repair workflow
- Bi-directional continuous scanning — over 2,000 vehicles/day capacity
This automation enables HZD to:
Deliver standardised vehicle condition reports
Support regional centres and partner workshops with digital inspections
Scale services without compromising inspection quality or time
‘With Instavalo, we can quickly and accurately record vehicle conditions, which makes our processing procedures significantly more efficient. Automated documentation minimises disputes and maximises transparency for our partners.’
Lars Rottmann, Managing Director HZD
Results and Impact
The shift to automated inspections allows for a more systematic approach to vehicle assessments. Now in operation, the Instascan scanner with integrated tyre and underbody inspection modules is delivering:
Significant reduction in inspection time and improved throughput
Enhanced data-driven reporting to support repair and customer communications
Positive operational ROI and customer satisfaction with the new system
HZD now has automated inspections as a core capability, in support of business growth and an AI inspection service provision to the HZD network
About HZD
HZD excels in a wide range of automotive services, from high‑precision hail damage restoration, minor dent repair, accident bodywork and plastic part repairs, to glass restoration, mobile expert assessments, and claims handling.
Headquartered in Ibbenbüren, Germany, with over 60 company‑owned or partner sites and mobile units across Germany, HZD delivers nationwide coverage, ensuring fast, reliable service, minimising downtime and expense for private individuals, insurance partners, and commercial fleets alike. It also maintains specialised mobile hail damage teams to serve storm‑affected regions with on‑site inspection and repair support.
HZD provides certified vehicle inspections, managing the entire repair process from estimate through to billing, to ensure fast turnaround. With extensive experience with all vehicle makes, coordination with insurers and fleet customers, and full digital integration, HZD is a trusted, comprehensive solution for vehicle damage restoration across Germany.
