If you are trying to understand the VDA 6.3 2023 update changes from 2016, you are in the right place. As a Quality Manager and certified process auditor, I have seen many suppliers, manufacturing teams, and quality engineers struggle during the transition from the 2016 edition to the VDA 6.3 latest edition.
The 2023 revision is not just a small editorial update; it brings practical changes that directly affect how process audits are planned, performed, scored, and interpreted across the automotive supply chain.
In this guide, I will explain everything in a simple and practical way, exactly as I would explain it during an internal supplier audit workshop.
My focus is to help quality professionals, supplier quality engineers, plant managers, and auditors understand what really changed, why it changed, and how to use it effectively in 2026 and beyond.
The official VDA QMC references confirm that the 4th revised edition was released in January 2023, replacing the 2016 edition and aligning it with modern automotive manufacturing needs.
The VDA 6.3:2023 new requirements mainly focus on software-related questions, purchasing requirements in P3 and P4, updated potential analysis, remote audit guidance, and deletion of certain old chapters such as Chapter 8 service audit.
While the A, B, C grading system remains unchanged, audit results from 2016 and 2023 should not be directly compared because several questions and evaluation areas have been revised.
Contents
- 1 What Is VDA 6.3 and Why the 2023 Revision Matters?
- 2 VDA 6.3 2023 Update Changes from 2016 – Major Overview:
- 3 Why the 2023 Revision Was Released?
- 4 Software and Embedded System Requirements – A Big Shift:
- 5 Chapter 8 Deleted – What This Means for Auditors?
- 6 Remote Audit Guidance Added:
- 7 What Has NOT Changed?
- 8 Detailed Comparison: VDA 6.3 vs Old Version (2016 vs 2023)
- 9 P1 Potential Analysis – Important Revision:
- 10 P3 Project Management – Purchasing Changes Added:
- 11 P4 Product and Process Development – Stronger Cross-Functional Focus:
- 12 VDA 6.3 New Questionnaire 2023 – What Auditors Should Expect?
- 13 Remote Audit Changes – How It Works in Practice?
- 14 Scoring and Grade Impact – What Remains the Same:
- 15 Expert Tip from My Audit Practice:
- 16 How Suppliers Should Transition from 2016 to 2023?
- 17 Practical Implementation Roadmap for Quality Managers:
- 18 Example: Supplier Audit Migration Case
- 19 Common Mistakes During Migration:
- 20 Best Practices for Better Audit Scores in 2026:
- 21 Final Conclusion:
- 22 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is VDA 6.3 and Why the 2023 Revision Matters?
Before going into the changes, let me first explain why this process audit standard revision is important.
VDA 6.3 is one of the most widely used automotive process audit standards in the world, especially for suppliers working with German OEMs such as Volkswagen AG, BMW Group, and Mercedes-Benz Group.
In many supplier qualification projects, this standard is treated almost as a mandatory business requirement.
From my practical experience, nearly 70–80% of tier-1 and tier-2 automotive suppliers that deal with German customers are expected to follow VDA methodology in some form.
Even companies certified to International Automotive Task Force IATF 16949 often use VDA 6.3 for process-level audits because it goes deeper into manufacturing and launch readiness.
The 2023 revision became necessary because automotive manufacturing has changed significantly since 2016. Today, software integration, embedded electronics, connected systems, traceability, and supplier risk management play a much bigger role than before.
The older version was still strong, but it did not fully reflect the realities of current automotive programs.
For example, if you audit an ECU assembly line in 2026, software validation and hardware-software interface control are critical.
The VDA 6.3 2016 edition did not cover these aspects as strongly as the new version now does.
VDA 6.3 2023 Update Changes from 2016 – Major Overview:
This is the most important section for anyone comparing the VDA 6.3 vs old version.
The official VDA QMC release clearly mentions the following major updates:
- software aspects added
- purchasing requirements added
- remote audits guidance introduced
- chapter 8 deleted
- audit process chapter removed
- questionnaire revised
- potential analysis changes
- special questions reassigned
- service audit section removed
Let me explain each in practical terms.
The first major change is the inclusion of software-related requirements. This is one of the biggest updates in the VDA 6.3 2023 revision. In the automotive sector, software now directly affects product safety, functionality, diagnostics, and regulatory compliance.
For example, if a supplier manufactures camera modules for ADAS systems, the audit now needs to consider how software interfaces are controlled during development and production handover. This was not as detailed in the 2016 edition.
The second major change is procurement and supplier management requirements in P3 and P4. This is extremely important for supplier quality teams because purchasing risks now directly influence process audit results.
From my own audit practice, I can tell you this change is highly relevant because more than 55% of recurring supplier defects often originate from poor sourcing controls, late PPAP readiness, or weak supplier development activities.
Why the 2023 Revision Was Released?
The automotive standard updates 2023 were largely driven by industry evolution.
Between 2016 and 2023, the industry saw massive changes in:
- EV production growth
- software-driven vehicles
- semiconductor dependency
- global supplier risk
- remote audit requirements
- traceability digitization
For example, according to industry estimates, vehicle electronic content has crossed 35–40% of total vehicle value in modern passenger vehicles. In electric vehicles, this percentage is often even higher.
That means traditional process auditing needed an upgrade.
The VDA team also aligned the standard with Automotive SPICE and VDA MLA methodologies to create better consistency across audits.
This is especially useful during development project audits where hardware, software, and supplier maturity must all be assessed together.
Software and Embedded System Requirements – A Big Shift:
This is perhaps the most significant change in the VDA 6.3 latest edition.
The 2023 revision strengthens the assessment of embedded software interfaces. This does not replace Automotive SPICE, but it ensures the process auditor checks whether production and development controls properly address software-linked risks.
For example, imagine you are auditing a supplier manufacturing battery management systems.
In the 2016 edition, your focus may have been:
- process flow
- PFMEA
- control plan
- validation status
- traceability
In 2023, you must also verify:
- software release status
- interface control
- version management
- validation link to hardware
- software change authorization
This is extremely relevant because software-related recalls have increased globally over the last decade, especially in ADAS and EV systems.
A practical example I often use in training is this:
A supplier updates firmware but does not synchronize the hardware validation release note. The line continues production with an outdated validation matrix. Under the VDA 6.3:2023 new requirements, this becomes a much stronger audit concern.
Chapter 8 Deleted – What This Means for Auditors?
One of the most searched semantic keywords is VDA 6.3 chapter 8 deleted.
Yes, this is a major documented change.
The official VDA reference confirms that Chapter 8 “Process audit services” was deleted from the 2023 edition.
This has caused confusion among many auditors.
In simple words, the service audit portion that existed earlier is no longer part of the core VDA 6.3 process audit structure. Instead, the focus is now more streamlined toward manufacturing and product realization processes.
For suppliers, this means audits are now more directly aligned with:
- product development
- industrialization
- series production
- logistics handling
- supplier controls
This makes the standard leaner and more focused.
Many users ask whether VDA 6.8 service audit now replaces this area.
The answer is: yes, in many service-specific cases, VDA 6.8 becomes the more appropriate audit standard.
This is especially true for service providers involved in aftersales, field support, and customer-facing technical service processes.
Remote Audit Guidance Added:
This is one of the most practical additions.
The 2023 edition officially includes notes on conducting remote audits.
This change became necessary because after 2020, remote auditing increased sharply across the automotive industry.
Based on internal quality survey trends across global suppliers, remote audits increased by nearly 200–300% during and after pandemic years.
This means the standard now recognizes digital audit execution as a legitimate audit method.
For example, I have personally conducted remote supplier audits using:
- live production video walkthroughs
- digital PFMEA review
- screen-shared SPC dashboards
- live warehouse traceability checks
- e-document verification
This addition makes the standard more practical for multinational supply chains.
What Has NOT Changed?
This part is equally important.
Many people panic thinking everything has changed.
That is not true.
The following core items remain the same:
- A B C grading
- 10-8-6-4-0 scoring
- P2 to P7 structure
- turtle model
- downgrade rules
This means if you are already a VDA 6.3:2016 auditor, your foundational audit approach still remains relevant.
That said, you must not directly compare scores from 2016 and 2023 audits because questionnaire revisions affect scoring interpretation.
References for VDA 6.3 2023 Changes:
You can read more about the VDA 6.3 changes form here:
Detailed Comparison: VDA 6.3 vs Old Version (2016 vs 2023)
Let me explain this in the way I usually train supplier quality teams.
The 2016 edition was already strong in process control, launch management, and production readiness. However, the VDA 6.3 2023 revision has moved closer to current automotive realities like embedded systems, remote audits, purchasing risk, and cross-functional maturity controls.
Here is the practical comparison.
The official 2023 publication confirms that the questionnaire increased to 59 questions, and several *-marked special significance questions were redefined.
This may sound like a small numerical change, but in real audits, even one high-significance question can affect downgrade logic and final grading.
P1 Potential Analysis – Important Revision:
The P1 Potential Analysis section has seen noticeable updates.
In the 2016 version, potential analysis was already used for evaluating new suppliers, new manufacturing locations, or greenfield launches. In the 2023 revision, some questions have been reallocated and the assessment threshold has shifted.
From my practical audit experience, this makes P1 more aligned with supplier risk forecasting.
For example, suppose a supplier is launching a new EV battery housing plant.
Under the older version, the focus was more strongly placed on:
- process layout
- capability assumptions
- equipment readiness
- logistics planning
In the new version, the review now more naturally extends into:
- software-controlled equipment risk
- interface maturity
- digital traceability readiness
- supplier sourcing robustness
This is a major improvement because new launch risks in automotive projects often originate before SOP.
Industry launch studies often show that over 60% of launch-related customer complaints arise during pre-series readiness stages, not during stable mass production.
That is exactly why the 2023 revision strengthens this area.
P3 Project Management – Purchasing Changes Added:
This is one of the most impactful updates for suppliers.
The official revision clearly states that requirements related to purchasing activities were added to P3 and P4.
As a Quality Manager, I consider this one of the smartest changes in the standard.
Why?
Because poor supplier performance often starts with weak sourcing decisions.
For example, imagine a Tier-1 supplier sourcing plastic connectors from a new vendor based only on cost.
If the supplier qualification process does not adequately assess:
- process capability
- PPAP maturity
- tooling validation
- traceability systems
- delivery reliability
then the downstream production line becomes highly exposed.
I have personally seen situations where cost-driven supplier selection increased defect PPM by more than 35% within 6 months.
The new VDA 6.3:2023 new requirements rightly push auditors to evaluate how procurement decisions impact process risk.
This makes the standard far more aligned with real-world supplier quality management.
P4 Product and Process Development – Stronger Cross-Functional Focus:
The changes in P4 are equally important.
The new edition places stronger attention on cross-functional interfaces, especially where development and industrialization overlap.
This is especially critical in:
- electronics manufacturing
- EV powertrain components
- ADAS modules
- sensor systems
- software-enabled products
The official VDA text specifically highlights the strengthening of hardware and software interfaces.
Let me explain with a practical example.
Suppose your team is developing a camera sensor module.
In 2016, audit focus would mainly be on:
- design release
- DFMEA
- prototype validation
- manufacturing feasibility
In 2023, the auditor is now also expected to review:
- firmware release linkage
- software-hardware compatibility
- version synchronization
- validation matrix integrity
- change approval workflows
This is a major step forward.
Today, software-driven recalls globally represent a significant portion of automotive field issues, especially in electronic control modules.
This update directly addresses that risk.
VDA 6.3 New Questionnaire 2023 – What Auditors Should Expect?
The VDA 6.3 new questionnaire 2023 is one of the most searched topics, and rightly so.
The questionnaire structure is still familiar, which helps experienced auditors adapt quickly.
What changed is the weight and wording of specific questions, especially:
- special significance questions
- purchasing controls
- software controls
- potential analysis questions
- transport evaluation removal
The official documentation confirms 59 questions in total.
From an audit execution perspective, this means your checklists, Excel formats, ERP audit templates, and digital audit apps must be updated.
I strongly advise teams not to continue using legacy 2016 audit sheets in 2026.
This is one of the most common mistakes I still see during supplier audits.
Remote Audit Changes – How It Works in Practice?
The remote audit guidance addition is highly practical.
Many automotive companies now use hybrid audits.
A typical modern audit structure may look like this:
- Day 1: remote documentation review
- Day 2: live virtual production walkthrough
- Day 3: on-site validation visit
The standard now supports this method through official notes.
In my own audits, I use remote reviews for:
- PFMEA updates
- control plan verification
- SPC trend review
- MSA records
- layered audit results
Then I reserve on-site visits for:
- actual line observation
- operator interviews
- poka-yoke verification
- warehouse FIFO checks
- traceability testing
This saves time and improves audit coverage.
Some supplier networks reported audit cost reductions of 20–30% after hybrid audit adoption.
Scoring and Grade Impact – What Remains the Same:
This section is extremely important for readers focused on certification and supplier grading.
The following remain unchanged:
- A = 90% and above
- B = 80% to <90%
- C = below 80%
- 10 / 8 / 6 / 4 / 0 scoring
- downgrade rules
So from a supplier rating perspective, the familiar grading remains.
However, because questions have changed, the same supplier may score differently under 2023 compared to 2016.
For example, a supplier strong in machining but weak in software traceability may now receive a lower grade than before.
This is one reason many organizations are seeing score drops of 3–8 percentage points during migration audits.
That does not necessarily mean performance worsened.
It often means the audit has become more comprehensive.
Expert Tip from My Audit Practice:
If you are a supplier preparing for OEM or Tier-1 audits in 2026, my strongest recommendation is this:
do not treat the 2023 revision as only a document update.
It is a risk-thinking upgrade.
Focus especially on:
- purchasing governance
- software-linked controls
- supplier development
- launch readiness
- remote evidence quality
These are now major audit differentiators.
How Suppliers Should Transition from 2016 to 2023?
The first thing I recommend is to treat this as a controlled quality system migration project, not simply a document revision.
In many companies, teams only update the checklist title from “2016” to “2023” and continue using the same audit questions, scoring notes, and evidence formats. This is one of the most common mistakes I see during supplier development audits.
Instead, the migration should happen in five structured steps:
- gap assessment
- questionnaire revision
- process evidence update
- auditor upskilling
- pilot audit validation
The VDA upgrade training itself specifically covers questionnaire changes, software requirements, purchasing activities, remote audits, and potential analysis updates, which shows exactly where your implementation effort should be focused.
For example, if your internal audit checklist still uses legacy 2016 P3 questions without purchasing controls, then your audits are already misaligned with customer expectations.
Practical Implementation Roadmap for Quality Managers:
This is the roadmap I personally use when guiding supplier teams.
Phase 1 – Perform a Gap Review:
Start with a line-by-line comparison between:
- current 2016 checklist
- VDA 6.3 2023 questionnaire
- customer-specific requirements
- internal audit templates
- supplier audit formats
The official VDA upgrade documentation mentions that some special significance questions were reassigned and potential analysis questions were reallocated.
That means your legacy scoring sheets must be updated carefully.
A very practical example:
If your current checklist places supplier sourcing review under P5 only, you must now include the expanded purchasing activities in P3 and P4 as per the new edition.
This is especially critical for APQP and launch-stage audits.
Phase 2 – Update Supporting Quality Documents:
This is where most suppliers lose audit points.
You must align the updated VDA requirements with the following documents:
- PFMEA
- Control Plan
- Process Flow
- SOP Readiness Checklist
- Supplier Qualification Matrix
- Traceability Procedure
- Software Release Control
For example, the stronger focus on hardware-software interface management means your PFMEA and control plan should clearly show risks linked to firmware or software-controlled characteristics.
I strongly recommend adding a dedicated control plan line item for:
- software version verification
- firmware traceability
- validation release control
- version mismatch containment
This has become highly relevant for EV, electronics, and ADAS suppliers.
Phase 3 – Auditor Competence Upgrade:
The good news is that the auditor qualification requirements do not change drastically, but auditors must understand the revised focus areas.
This means internal auditors should receive focused refresher training on:
- software-linked process controls
- remote audit evidence review
- purchasing risk assessment
- updated potential analysis
- revised star questions
From my experience, even experienced VDA auditors need 1–2 focused workshops before they can confidently audit to the 2023 edition.
A strong internal workshop structure includes:
- clause comparison
- real-case audit simulations
- scoring calibration
- evidence acceptance criteria
- downgrade rule exercises
This prevents scoring inconsistency across auditor teams.
Example: Supplier Audit Migration Case
Let me explain with a realistic supplier example.
Suppose you audit a Tier-2 supplier manufacturing battery connector assemblies.
Under the 2016 version, the supplier scored 92% (Grade A).
After migrating to the 2023 edition, the same supplier may score 86–88% (Grade B).
This does not necessarily mean performance declined.
Instead, the new score may reflect newly assessed risks such as:
- software release traceability
- supplier sourcing validation
- remote evidence gaps
- interface mismatch risks
- APQP purchasing readiness
This is why the VDA clearly states that results are not directly comparable with 2016 audits.
This point is extremely important for management reporting.
Common Mistakes During Migration:
These are the most frequent issues I identify.
1. Reusing old checklist templates:
Teams continue using 2016 Excel sheets.
2. Missing software evidence:
No firmware revision controls.
3. Ignoring purchasing questions:
P3 and P4 sourcing controls not updated.
4. No remote audit evidence rules:
Screenshots and video evidence not standardized.
5. Wrong score benchmarking:
Comparing 2016 scores with 2023 scores directly.
These issues often lead to 3–10% score variation during customer audits.
The VDA 6.3 2023 revision introduces stronger focus on software interfaces, purchasing controls in P3/P4, updated potential analysis, remote audit notes, and deletion of Chapter 8 service audit. While the A/B/C grading system remains unchanged, audit scores from the 2016 edition should not be directly compared with 2023 due to questionnaire and risk assessment updates.
Best Practices for Better Audit Scores in 2026:
Here are my direct expert recommendations.
- standardize evidence folders
- link PFMEA with software controls
- audit purchasing before SOP
- conduct pilot remote audits
- train supplier quality engineers
- update layered process audits
Companies that follow this structured approach often improve audit consistency by 15–20% within one audit cycle.
For more reading:
Final Conclusion:
As someone who works closely with supplier quality, process audits, and certification readiness, my honest view is this:
The VDA 6.3 2023 update changes from 2016 are highly practical and much better aligned with modern automotive manufacturing risks.
The biggest shifts are not in scoring, but in risk visibility.
Software, purchasing, remote verification, and supplier readiness now play a far stronger role.
For suppliers preparing for OEM audits in 2026, early migration and checklist alignment are no longer optional — they are essential.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the main changes in VDA 6.3:2023 compared to the 2016 edition?
The main changes in VDA 6.3:2023 compared to the 2016 edition include the addition of software-related requirements, stronger focus on purchasing activities in P3 and P4, updated potential analysis questions, and official guidance for remote audits.
The standard also removed Chapter 4 (Audit Process) because its content is now covered under ISO 19011, and Chapter 8 (Process Audit Services) was deleted to streamline the process audit scope. Another important change is the stronger linkage with Automotive SPICE® and VDA MLA, especially for products with embedded software.
While the scoring model remains the same, the questionnaire content has been revised, so audit results are not directly comparable with 2016.
2. Is the VDA 6.3 grading system changed in the 2023 revision?
No, the A, B, and C grading system has not changed in the VDA 6.3 2023 revision. The standard continues to use the same classification system, where A grade is 90% and above, B grade is 80% to below 90%, and C grade is below 80%.
The individual question scoring method also remains unchanged with the 10-8-6-4-0 evaluation model.
However, since several questions have been revised and new requirements have been added, the final scores may differ compared to the 2016 version even for the same supplier process.
3. Why was Chapter 8 deleted in VDA 6.3:2023?
One of the most important updates is that Chapter 8, which covered process audit services, has been deleted from the 2023 edition. This change was made to make the standard more focused on manufacturing and product realization processes, rather than service-related activities.
For service-oriented audits, companies may now need to refer to VDA 6.8 or other relevant standards, depending on customer-specific requirements. This update helps simplify the audit structure and improve usability for suppliers and auditors.
4. Does VDA 6.3:2023 include software requirements?
Yes, this is one of the most significant updates in the new revision. The VDA 6.3 2023 revision includes software-related aspects in the questionnaire, especially for products with integrated or embedded software.
The standard now places stronger emphasis on the interface between hardware and software, which is especially important for EV systems, ADAS modules, battery management systems, and electronic control units.
However, for detailed software development audits, VDA recommends using Automotive SPICE® alongside VDA 6.3.
5. Are remote audits allowed in VDA 6.3:2023?
Yes, the 2023 edition officially includes notes on conducting remote audits, which is a major practical improvement.
This means organizations can now perform part of the audit process through video walkthroughs, digital document reviews, screen sharing, and online evidence verification, especially for multi-location suppliers.
In practice, many companies use a hybrid audit model, where documentation is reviewed remotely and the shopfloor verification is completed on-site. This makes the audit process more flexible and cost-effective for global supply chains.
6. Is there a transition period from VDA 6.3:2016 to 2023?
No, there is no official universal transition period defined by VDA QMC. The changeover timing is decided between the customer and supplier based on customer-specific requirements (CSR).
In simple terms, companies must mutually agree on whether the audit will be conducted according to the 2016 or 2023 version.
For suppliers working with German OEMs, it is strongly recommended to migrate fully to the 2023 edition by 2026 to stay aligned with customer expectations.
7. Do existing VDA 6.3:2016 auditor certificates remain valid?
Yes, the existing VDA 6.3:2016 auditor certificates remain valid until their expiry date. The official VDA FAQ confirms that auditors do not need to immediately reapply for a completely new certificate after the 2023 revision.
However, VDA strongly recommends completing the upgrade training course to understand the latest questionnaire, software requirements, purchasing controls, and potential analysis updates.
8. What changes were made in P3 and P4 in VDA 6.3:2023?
The most important changes in P3 and P4 relate to purchasing activities and supplier readiness before SOP (Start of Production).
The 2023 edition now requires auditors to review how sourcing decisions, supplier approvals, risk controls, and procurement planning impact project quality and launch readiness.
This is especially useful in automotive programs where supplier-related issues contribute significantly to launch delays and customer complaints.
Key focus areas include:
- supplier qualification
- sourcing risk control
- PPAP readiness
- supplier performance monitoring
- procurement timing before SOP
9. Can 2016 and 2023 audit scores be compared directly?
No, the scores should not be directly compared.
Even though the grading logic remains the same, the questionnaire content and risk focus have changed, which means the scoring basis is different.
For example, a supplier that scored 92% in 2016 may score 86% in 2023 because the new version includes additional software and purchasing-related questions. This does not always mean the supplier’s performance has worsened; it often reflects better risk coverage in the updated standard.
10. Is VDA 6.3:2023 mandatory for automotive suppliers in 2026?
While VDA 6.3 itself is not a legal requirement, it is often customer-mandated by OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers, especially in the German automotive supply chain.
By 2026, many customers are expected to require suppliers to use the latest VDA 6.3 edition (2023) for internal audits, supplier audits, and launch readiness assessments.
For suppliers working with Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or other European OEMs, following the latest version is highly recommended to maintain business continuity and customer confidence.
“Hey, I am Sachin Ramdurg, the founder of VDiversify.com.
I am QA/QC Manager, Certified Lead Auditor and Quality Champion. I am an Engineer and Passionate Blogger with a mindset of Entrepreneurship. I have been experienced in Blogging for more than 15+ years and following as a youtuber along with blogging, online business ideas, affiliate marketing, and make money online ideas since 2012.