The fields DVSA returns are minimal. Many garages want richer per-vehicle detail — engine code, gearbox type, key reference, paint code, tyre size. Pistonlog supports this with custom vehicle spec fields, configured once per garage and stored as a JSON specValues map on each vehicle.
Configuring spec fields
Go to Workshop Settings → Vehicle specs. For each field you define:
- Label — what to call it (e.g. "Engine code")
- Placeholder — hint text shown in the input
- Requirement mode — whether this field must be filled before save
- Show previous entry — surface the most recent value entered for this vehicle as a suggestion
Spec field values are stored as free text — there's no per-field type (no separate text vs. number vs. dropdown vs. yes/no). That keeps the system simple at the cost of some validation.
Where these fields appear
On the vehicle record's detail page, in a spec section. They also surface on the jobcard's vehicle panel for context. Pistonlog doesn't currently have a per-field "technician-visible" toggle — so spec fields appear wherever vehicle details are surfaced.
Common spec fields
Most garages set 3–6 spec fields. A common starter set:
- Engine code
- Gearbox type
- Drive type
- Tyre size
- Key code
- Paint code
Adding spec values to a vehicle
Once configured, the field appears on every vehicle record's detail page. Fill it in when you see the car for the first time — most garages do it during the initial check-in.