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Inspection Taxonomy

Vector RAG mapping from shop language to Living Health Record schema

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Purpose

This taxonomy enables high-confidence mapping from varied shop inspection language to our standardized 26-item Living Health Record. Each item includes aliases (what shops call it) and status phrase mappings (how shops describe conditions). The JSON version (inspection-taxonomy.json) contains 37 entries (tires expanded by position).

Two Item Types

Quantitative — Extract numeric values (mm, 32nds, volts, PSI). Status derived from thresholds.
Status-Based — Map descriptive language to OK / Monitor / Service Required.

Schema Overview

{
  "brakes": { "frontPads": { "mm": number, "status": string }, "rearPads": { ... } },
  "tires": { "lf|rf|lr|rr": { "tread32nds": number, "pressurePsi": number, "dotCode": string, "ageYears": number } },
  "fluids": { "oil|brake|coolant|transmission|powerSteering": { "status": string } },
  "filters": { "engineAir|cabinAir": { "status": string } },
  "battery": { "voltage": number, "ccaPercent": number, "ageMonths": number },
  "underHood": { "belts|hoses|leaks|radiator": { "status": string }, "other": { "status": string, "notes": [] } },
  "undercarriage": { "suspension|steering|driveshaft|axles|exhaust|brakeHoses": { "status": string }, "other": { "status": string, "notes": [] } },
  "visibility": { "wiperBlades|lights": { "status": string } }
}

Status values: "ok" | "monitor" | "service_required"
Type: "status" | "quantitative" | "status_with_notes"
BRAKES

Front Brake Pads QUANTITATIVE INS-BRK-PAD-F

Schema: brakes.frontPads.mm
Aliases
front pads front brake pads F brake pads front disc pads front pad thickness frt pads fr pads
OK (>5mm)
good ok pass 6mm+ plenty of life no issues
Monitor (3-5mm)
worn getting low 50% worn fair will need soon 3-5mm
Service Required (<3mm)
needs replacement replace worn out at minimum metal on metal <3mm unsafe

Rear Brake Pads QUANTITATIVE INS-BRK-PAD-R

Schema: brakes.rearPads.mm
Aliases
rear pads rear brake pads R brake pads rear disc pads rear pad thickness rr pads
OK (>5mm)
good ok pass 6mm+ plenty of life
Monitor (3-5mm)
worn getting low 50% worn fair will need soon
Service Required (<3mm)
needs replacement replace worn out at minimum metal on metal

Front Brake Rotors QUANTITATIVE INS-BRK-ROTOR-F

Schema: brakes.frontRotors.mm
Aliases
front rotors front brake rotors front discs front brake discs F rotors fr rotors
OK
good smooth within spec no scoring resurfaced
Monitor
scored light scoring grooved light grooves surface rust lip forming
Service Required
deeply grooved warped pulsating below spec cracked replace rotors

Rear Brake Rotors QUANTITATIVE INS-BRK-ROTOR-R

Schema: brakes.rearRotors.mm
Aliases
rear rotors rear brake rotors rear discs rear brake discs R rotors back rotors
OK
good smooth within spec no scoring resurfaced
Monitor
scored light scoring grooved light grooves surface rust lip forming
Service Required
deeply grooved warped pulsating below spec cracked replace rotors
TIRES

Tire Tread Depth QUANTITATIVE INS-TIRE-TREAD-*

Schema: tires.[lf|rf|lr|rr].tread32nds
Aliases
tread depth tire tread tread tire depth tread wear LF tread RF tread LR tread RR tread left front tire right front tire left rear tire right rear tire
OK (>6/32")
good ok plenty of tread 7/32+ like new pass
Monitor (4-6/32")
half worn 50% getting low fair worn 5/32 4/32
Service Required (<4/32")
bald needs tires replace worn out at wear bars 2/32 3/32 unsafe

Tire Pressure QUANTITATIVE INS-TIRE-PSI-*

Schema: tires.[lf|rf|lr|rr].pressurePsi
Aliases
tire pressure PSI air pressure inflation LF PSI RF PSI LR PSI RR PSI
OK (at spec)
ok good correct set to spec adjusted 32 PSI 35 PSI
Monitor (±5 PSI)
slightly low slightly high adjusted topped off
Service Required (>10 off)
very low flat losing air leak overinflated

Tire Age QUANTITATIVE INS-TIRE-AGE-*

Schema: tires.[lf|rf|lr|rr].dotCode → ageYears
Aliases
tire age DOT date tire date code manufacture date tire DOT week/year code
OK (<6 yrs)
new recent 2022+ 2023 2024 good age
Monitor (6-8 yrs)
aging older 2018 2019 2020 getting old
Service Required (>8 yrs)
old aged out dry rot cracking weathered 2016 or older
FLUIDS

Engine Oil STATUS INS-FLUID-OIL

Schema: fluids.oil.status
Aliases
oil engine oil motor oil oil level oil condition
OK
full good ok clean pass recently changed golden amber
Monitor
low dirty dark due soon getting dark fair topped off added oil
Service Required
very low empty black sludge overdue burnt contaminated milky needs change

Brake Fluid STATUS INS-FLUID-BRAKE

Schema: fluids.brake.status
Aliases
brake fluid brake fluid level DOT 3 DOT 4 hydraulic fluid
OK
full good ok clear pass clean
Monitor
low dark discolored due for flush fair amber topped off
Service Required
very low contaminated black needs flush moisture water boiling point low

Coolant STATUS INS-FLUID-COOL

Schema: fluids.coolant.status
Aliases
coolant antifreeze radiator fluid coolant level overflow reservoir
OK
full good ok pass proper color clean
Monitor
low discolored due for flush fair topped off added coolant
Service Required
very low contaminated rusty milky oil in coolant needs flush empty leaking

Transmission Fluid STATUS INS-FLUID-TRANS

Schema: fluids.transmission.status
Aliases
trans fluid transmission fluid ATF automatic transmission fluid CVT fluid gearbox oil
OK
full good ok clean pass red pink proper color
Monitor
low dark brown due for service fair topped off discolored
Service Required
very low burnt black burnt smell contaminated needs flush metal particles

Power Steering Fluid STATUS INS-FLUID-PS

Schema: fluids.powerSteering.status
Aliases
power steering fluid power steering PS fluid steering fluid power steering level hydraulic steering fluid
OK
full good ok pass clean proper level
Monitor
low dark discolored fair topped off slightly low
Service Required
very low empty contaminated foamy aerated leaking noisy pump whining
FILTERS

Engine Air Filter STATUS INS-FILTER-AIR

Schema: filters.engineAir.status
Aliases
air filter engine air filter engine filter intake filter air cleaner
OK
clean good ok pass new recently replaced
Monitor
dirty dusty fair getting dirty some debris
Service Required
very dirty clogged replace restricted blocked needs replacement

Cabin Air Filter STATUS INS-FILTER-CABIN

Schema: filters.cabinAir.status
Aliases
cabin filter cabin air filter AC filter HVAC filter interior filter pollen filter
OK
clean good ok pass new
Monitor
dirty dusty fair debris leaves
Service Required
very dirty clogged replace moldy smells restricted
BATTERY

Battery Voltage QUANTITATIVE INS-BAT-VOLT

Schema: battery.voltage
Aliases
battery voltage voltage battery volts resting voltage open circuit voltage
OK (>12.4V)
good ok pass fully charged 12.6V 12.7V
Monitor (12.0-12.4V)
low charge needs charging fair 12.2V 12.0V
Service Required (<12.0V)
weak dead bad replace won't hold charge 11V

Battery CCA QUANTITATIVE INS-BAT-CCA

Schema: battery.ccaPercent
Aliases
CCA cold cranking amps cranking amps battery test load test battery health
OK (>80%)
good ok pass strong healthy 90%+
Monitor (50-80%)
fair marginal weakening 60% 70%
Service Required (<50%)
weak failed replace bad below spec 40%

Battery Age QUANTITATIVE INS-BAT-AGE

Schema: battery.ageMonths
Aliases
battery age battery date install date battery sticker years old
OK (<48 mo)
new recent 1 year old 2 years old 3 years old
Monitor (48-60 mo)
4 years old getting old aging 5 years old
Service Required (>60 mo)
old 6+ years original battery past warranty
UNDER HOOD

Belts STATUS INS-BELT

Schema: underHood.belts.status
Aliases
belts serpentine belt drive belt accessory belt fan belt V-belt alternator belt
OK
good ok pass no cracks tight proper tension
Monitor
cracked worn glazed frayed fair minor cracks surface cracks
Service Required
needs replacement replace squealing loose chunks missing separating

Hoses STATUS INS-HOSE

Schema: underHood.hoses.status
Aliases
hoses coolant hoses radiator hoses heater hoses upper hose lower hose
OK
good ok pass firm no leaks no cracks
Monitor
soft spongy surface cracks bulging fair aging
Service Required
leaking cracked collapsed split replace burst

Leaks STATUS INS-LEAK

Schema: underHood.leaks.status
Severity Spectrum: Seep → Weep → Leak → Active Leak

Seepage = moisture/staining, no active drip. Weeping = slow fluid migration. Leak = active dripping. Major leak = rapid fluid loss.

Aliases
leaks fluid leaks oil leak coolant leak trans leak valve cover leak rear main seal front main seal oil pan leak gasket leak seal leak
OK
no leaks dry bone dry no moisture clean no evidence of leaks none noted
Monitor
seep seepage seeping weep weeping damp moisture staining oil stain residue oily film sweating not dripping no active drip
Service Required
leak leaking active leak drip dripping drops running major leak heavy leak puddle pooling wet soaked rapid fluid loss

Radiator/Cooling System STATUS INS-RADIATOR

Schema: underHood.radiator → { status }
Aliases
radiator cooling system water pump water pump bearing water pump seal water pump weep hole thermostat t-stat thermostat housing cooling fan radiator fan electric fan fan clutch fan shroud fan motor condenser fan auxiliary fan fan relay coolant temp sensor heater core heater valve coolant crossover coolant pipe thermostat gasket
OK
good ok pass no leaks fins clear cap holds pressure pump quiet no play no weep opens at temp functioning
Monitor
minor damage bent fins debris weep hole damp slight play slow to warm fan slow minor corrosion
Service Required
leaking cracked pump leaking pump noisy bearing failed seized stuck open stuck closed fan motor bad relay failed runs hot coolant loss

Under Hood Other STATUS + NOTES INS-UH-OTHER

Schema: underHood.other → { status, notes[] }
Aliases
under hood other engine bay other engine compartment other miscellaneous under hood other findings additional findings
OK
good ok pass no issues nothing noted satisfactory
Monitor
note found observed noticed minor issue attention needed
Service Required
needs attention repair needed service required immediate attention safety concern
Common Note Patterns (for extraction)
missing bolt missing hardware broken clip cracked plastic loose cover aftermarket part rodent damage corrosion
UNDERCARRIAGE

Suspension STATUS INS-SUSP

Schema: undercarriage.suspension.status
Aliases
suspension shocks struts springs control arms ball joints bushings sway bar links
OK
good ok pass tight no play no leaks
Monitor
worn some play minor wear fair aging slight noise
Service Required
worn out replace leaking loose clunking failed excessive play

Steering STATUS INS-STEER

Schema: undercarriage.steering.status
Aliases
steering tie rods rack and pinion steering rack inner tie rod outer tie rod steering play
OK
good ok pass tight no play responsive
Monitor
some play worn fair minor wear slight looseness
Service Required
loose replace excessive play worn out sloppy wandering

Driveshaft STATUS INS-DSHAFT

Schema: undercarriage.driveshaft.status
Aliases
driveshaft drive shaft prop shaft U-joints universal joints center bearing carrier bearing
OK
good ok pass no play tight no noise
Monitor
some play worn fair slight vibration minor wear
Service Required
loose replace vibration clunk worn out excessive play

Axles STATUS INS-AXLE

Schema: undercarriage.axles.status
Aliases
axles CV axles CV shafts half shafts drive axles CV joints CV boots
OK
good ok pass boots intact no play no noise
Monitor
boot cracked minor leak fair aging worn boot
Service Required
boot torn clicking replace leaking grease noisy worn out

Exhaust STATUS INS-EXHAUST

Schema: undercarriage.exhaust.status
Aliases
exhaust exhaust system exhaust pipe muffler catalytic converter cat resonator tailpipe flex pipe exhaust hangers
OK
good ok pass no leaks quiet secure no rust
Monitor
minor rust surface rust fair aging small hole minor leak
Service Required
leaking loud hole rusted through hanging loose broken hanger exhaust smell

Brake Hoses STATUS INS-HOSE-BRAKE

Schema: undercarriage.brakeHoses.status
Aliases
brake hoses brake lines flexible brake lines hydraulic hoses brake flex hose brake rubber lines
OK
good ok pass no leaks no cracks firm
Monitor
surface cracks aging fair soft weathered age cracks
Service Required
leaking cracked swelling replace bulging under pressure seeping

Undercarriage Other STATUS + NOTES INS-UC-OTHER

Schema: undercarriage.other → { status, notes[] }
Aliases
undercarriage other underbody other chassis other miscellaneous undercarriage other undercarriage findings
OK
good ok pass no issues nothing noted satisfactory
Monitor
note found observed noticed minor issue attention needed
Service Required
needs attention repair needed service required immediate attention safety concern
Common Note Patterns (for extraction)
undertray damage splash shield skid plate rusty hardware missing shield frame rust subframe corrosion impact damage
VISIBILITY

Wiper Blades STATUS INS-WIPER

Schema: visibility.wiperBlades.status
Aliases
wipers wiper blades windshield wipers front wipers rear wiper wiper condition
OK
good ok pass clean wipe no streaks new
Monitor
streaking chattering fair worn skipping minor streaks
Service Required
torn replace cracked not clearing missing damaged

Lights STATUS INS-LIGHTS

Schema: visibility.lights.status
Aliases
lights headlights taillights brake lights turn signals blinkers exterior lights running lights marker lights
OK
all working good ok pass operational functional
Monitor
dim foggy cloudy yellowed oxidized hazy lenses
Service Required
out burnt out not working inop failed bulb out broken

JSON Export Format

For vector embedding generation, export in this format:

[
  {
    "id": "INS-BRK-PAD-F",
    "category": "brakes",
    "field": "frontPads",
    "name": "Front Brake Pads",
    "type": "quantitative",
    "unit": "mm",
    "aliases": ["front pads", "front brake pads", "F brake pads", ...],
    "statusMappings": {
      "ok": ["good", "ok", "pass", "6mm+", ...],
      "monitor": ["worn", "getting low", "50% worn", ...],
      "service_required": ["needs replacement", "replace", "worn out", ...]
    },
    "thresholds": { "ok": ">5", "monitor": "3-5", "service_required": "<3" }
  },
  ...
]

Inspection Taxonomy v1.0 - Piston Labs / Glovebox Beta
For use with Living Health Record schema
Created: February 2026