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IATF 16949 Internal Audit Checklist Online with Report

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Rate each requirement. Minor or major opens fields for evidence, the finding and the corrective action. Click a selected rating again to clear it.

4–5 Context and leadership

  • 4.3.2

    Customer-specific requirements are listed, evaluated and included in the scope of the quality system.

  • 4.4.1.2

    Product safety process is defined: identification of safety-related characteristics, approvals and escalation.

  • 5.1.1.1

    Corporate responsibility policies (anti-bribery, conduct, ethics escalation) are in place.

  • 5.3.1

    Responsibility for customer requirements, special characteristics and quality objectives is assigned.

6 Planning

  • 6.1.2.3

    Contingency plans exist for key equipment, supply, utilities, IT and labour, and are tested.

  • 6.2.2.1

    Quality objectives cover customer requirements and are deployed to functions and levels.

7 Support

  • 7.1.3.1

    Plant, facility and equipment planning uses a multidisciplinary approach and lean principles.

  • 7.1.5.1.1

    MSA studies are done for every measurement system named in the control plan.

  • 7.1.5.2.1

    Calibration records include out-of-calibration evaluation and customer notification when needed.

  • 7.1.5.3

    Internal and external laboratories have a defined scope and are qualified.

  • 7.2.3

    Internal auditors are qualified, including core tools and customer-specific requirements.

  • 7.2.2

    On-the-job training is given for new or changed jobs, including contract staff.

8.3 Product and process design

  • 8.3.2.1

    Product realisation uses a multidisciplinary approach (APQP or the customer's method).

  • 8.3.3.3

    Special characteristics are identified and carried through FMEA, control plan and work instructions.

  • 8.3.4.4

    Product approval (PPAP or the customer's method) is done before shipment.

  • 8.3.5.2

    Process design outputs include process FMEA, control plan, instructions and capability studies.

8.4 Supplier management

  • 8.4.1.2

    Supplier selection includes risk to product quality and delivery, and quality system assessment.

  • 8.4.2.4

    Supplier performance (quality, delivery, customer disruptions) is monitored.

  • 8.4.2.5

    Supplier development is prioritised by performance and risk.

8.5 Production

  • 8.5.1.1

    Control plans exist for pre-launch and production, and are reviewed after changes or quality issues.

  • 8.5.1.3

    Job set-up is verified (first-off / last-off) and recorded.

  • 8.5.1.5

    Total productive maintenance: preventive and predictive maintenance, spare parts, objectives.

  • 8.5.6.1

    Process changes are evaluated, verified and, where required, approved by the customer.

  • 8.5.6.1.1

    Temporary changes of process controls are approved, recorded and verified at restart.

8.6–8.7 Release and nonconforming product

  • 8.6.2

    Layout inspection and functional testing are done per control plan.

  • 8.6.4

    Incoming product quality is verified by one or more defined methods.

  • 8.7.1.4

    Rework and repair are controlled with instructions, risk assessment and re-inspection.

  • 8.7.1.7

    Nonconforming product disposition (scrap) is controlled and rendered unusable.

9 Performance evaluation

  • 9.1.1.1

    Manufacturing processes are monitored with capability studies and SPC as required.

  • 9.1.2.1

    Customer scorecards and portals are monitored and acted on.

  • 9.2.2.2

    Quality system audits cover all processes over three years, including customer-specific requirements.

  • 9.2.2.3

    Manufacturing process audits cover all processes and shifts over three years.

  • 9.2.2.4

    Product audits are done at appropriate stages to verify conformity.

10 Improvement

  • 10.2.3

    A documented problem-solving process exists (e.g. 8D), with containment, root cause and verification.

  • 10.2.4

    Error-proofing is used where appropriate and is tested for failure.

  • 10.2.5

    Warranty management includes analysis of field returns, including no-trouble-found.

  • 10.3.1

    Continual improvement process is documented and applied to manufacturing processes.

Photos (evidence)

What auditors look at first

  • Customer-specific requirements: are they listed, assessed and visible in the processes?
  • Control plan and special characteristics: does every special characteristic flow from the drawing through the FMEA and the control plan to the work instruction?
  • MSA: is there a study for each measurement system in the control plan? Use the Gage R&R, Type 1 and attribute agreement tools.
  • Capability: are special characteristics capable? See the capability study.
  • Problem solving: are customer complaints handled with a structured method such as 8D, and are lessons learned fed back to the FMEA?

Process audits and product audits

The system checklist here does not replace the manufacturing process audit. For that, use the VDA 6.3 process audit or your customer's method, and run layered process audits on the shop floor.

Frequently asked questions

›Does this checklist cover all of IATF 16949?

It focuses on the automotive-specific requirements that IATF 16949 adds to ISO 9001, such as customer-specific requirements, product safety, MSA, control plans, special characteristics, total productive maintenance and problem solving. Combine it with the ISO 9001 checklist for the base requirements.

›What three types of internal audit does IATF 16949 require?

Quality management system audits, manufacturing process audits and product audits (clause 9.2.2). The system audits must cover all processes over a three-year cycle, and manufacturing process audits must cover all shifts.

›Who can be an internal auditor under IATF 16949?

Auditors must be qualified, including an understanding of the automotive process approach, applicable customer-specific requirements, ISO 9001 and IATF 16949, and the core tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA).

›Is this the official IATF text?

No. The questions are our own short wording, with the related clause number. The standard itself is sold by IATF and the national automotive associations.

›Can I add customer-specific requirements?

Yes. Click “Edit checklist” and add questions to any section, for example the customer requirements for layered process audits, annual layout inspection or packaging.