Summary: VDA 6.3:2023 took effect in January 2023 with no set changeover window. The update shifts focus to built-in software, sourcing before SOP, and stricter audit match rules. In 2026, the firms that stay ahead will be those that make their audit process standard, keep auditor skills current, and turn findings into visible, tracked risk cuts.
If you are planning for VDA 6.3 2026, the key question is not whether the standard changed. It already did. Additionally, the real question is whether your team has fully put the VDA 6.3 2023 changes to work across supplier audits, launch checks, serial output reviews, and follow-up on fixes.
That is where many auto suppliers still struggle. A lead auditor may know the updated rules. But multi-site work can still break down. Common gaps include mixed scoring, unclear roles, scattered proof, and little sight into which findings pose the highest risk.
In particular, in this guide, we break down what changed in VDA 6.3:2023. Furthermore, we also explain why those changes still matter in 2026 and what they mean for auditor upgrade training. We then show how auto quality audit software can help your team move from reactive audits to standard, hands-on control.
Why VDA 6.3 2026 Still Matters
VDA 6.3 is one of the most vital process audit frameworks in the auto supply chain. Moreover, it is built to check whether your design, sourcing, launch, and serial output processes can meet customer needs on a steady basis. Notably, it is not just an audit format. It is a lens for process fitness, supplier risk, and daily discipline.
However, what makes VDA 6.3 2026 key is that the 2023 edition is now firmly built into training and audit practice. The VDA QMC page says current process auditor training is based on VDA 6.3:2023. And AIAG’s 2026 class listings show 2026 course dates for VDA 6.3:2023.
If your audit forms, supplier rules, or auditor plans still reflect an older reading, you are not behind by a quarter. You are behind the model the market already uses.
What Changed in VDA 6.3:2023 vs. the Previous Version
Meanwhile, the guidance from VDA QMC is clear: the new volume applies from January 2023 with no set changeover window. On top of that, the audited firm and the customer align on which version applies through customer-level rules.
That matters because many suppliers assumed a long rollover window would follow. In truth, VDA framed the switch as a business call, not a grace period.
Why the rollout still affects 2026 planning
The most important VDA 6.3 2023 changes
- In addition, built-in software now gets more focus. VDA QMC says the 2023 update sharpens how products with built-in software are treated. In addition, it also tightens the link between hardware and software, pointing firms to Automotive SPICE for deeper software checks via the VDA QMC FAQ.
- Sourcing before SOP is more clearly addressed. VDA calls out “sourcing tasks before SoP” as a key area of change per the official FAQ.
- As a result, the content was trimmed and made more hands-on. As a result, VDA says the volume was brought up to date, refined in wording, and made more useful in practice. It also gave formal status to a management call that was already common per VDA QMC.
- You cannot add or remove questions. Because of this, the 2023 volume says no questions may be dropped or added if the audit is to stay comparable as a VDA 6.3 audit, per the official FAQ.
- The scoring scheme did not change at its core. VDA states the scoring scheme itself did not change in the update, even though question focus shifted in places, per VDA QMC.
- Star question weights shifted. Most importantly, VDA says the number of star questions stayed the same, but their spread was changed. This can affect results, mainly where built-in software is involved, per the VDA FAQ.
- Because of this, service questions were removed and split off. The VDA 6.8 volume says VDA 6.8 fills the gap left by cutting service questions from VDA 6.3:2023.
For quality leaders, the big point is simple. The standard did not become hard to spot. But the areas that drive launch risk, supplier fitness, and software-linked process control became more visible.
What the Changes Mean for Your VDA 6.3 Process Audit in 2026
At the same time, a VDA 6.3 process audit in 2026 should not be a routine checkbox task. The standard now puts sharper focus on built-in software links, sourcing before SOP, and question rules. In fact, auditors need stronger proof trails. Plants need better prep habits.
That shows up in four hands-on ways.
- Most importantly, launch and supplier checks need earlier sight. In fact, sourcing gaps before SOP are no longer easy to hide behind late-stage fixes.
- Cross-team audit proof matters more. Quality, design, buying, and plant teams need a shared view of needs, actions, and open risks.
- Notably, audit match matters more than local tweaks. Above all, if one site edits the question set and another does not, your network loses alignment.
- Remote-only audits have limits. VDA says remote audits cannot serve as a fully complete VDA 6.3 process audit for P2 to P7. Equally important, hybrid audits may work, based on risk and context, per the VDA QMC FAQ.
That is why standard methods matter. If every site reads readiness in its own way, risk stays hidden until the customer spots it first.
VDA 6.3 Upgrade Training and Auditor Qualification: What Changed
One of the biggest hands-on changes is not inside the question set. Above all, it is about auditor readiness. Per the VDA QMC FAQ, teams can run audits under the new volume only after finishing the “From VDA 6.3:2016 to VDA 6.3:2023 – Upgrade” training.
That makes VDA 6.3 upgrade training a governance issue, not just a learning one. If you cannot verify who has done the upgrade and who has not, you have a quality system gap.
Official training path for 2026 planning
- Additionally, upgrade training for 2016 auditors: VDA says the web-based “2016 to 2023 – Upgrade” course is still open. Specifically, passing it grants a certificate per the upgrade training page.
- First-time training: The standard four-day VDA 6.3:2023 Process Auditor course covers the basics for internal auditors, supplier auditors, and future certified auditors, per the VDA page.
- Cert exam: The certified process auditor exam is run as an audit simulation. Results are based on prep, auditor conduct, and debrief follow-up, per the VDA exam page.
- Furthermore, cert validity: VDA says the cert is good for five years. The renewal page says the next renewal needs 10 audits with at least 20 audit days, at least 16 onsite and no more than 4 remote.
- 2026 class dates: AIAG and AIAG’s combined course both list 2026 class dates. This shows VDA 6.3:2023 training remains active going into 2026.
Moreover, for plant managers and QA leaders, the point is clear. However, keep a live view of auditor status, cert renewal timing, and training done by site. Without that, audit reach can look full on paper while real skill gaps are growing.
Did the Evaluation Criteria Change?
This is where many teams get confused. Meanwhile, VDA states that the scoring scheme did not change in the 2023 update. The total number of questions stayed nearly the same, per the VDA QMC FAQ.
Why familiar scoring can still hide new risk
But the real-world impact can still be large. The spread of star questions changed. Equally important, the focus on built-in software grew. And the standard now more clearly limits question edits. So even if the scoring looks the same, the risk picture behind the final result may not be.
In fact, mature teams do more than record a grade. At the same time, they link each low score, star question miss, and repeat finding to a visible fix workflow with an owner, due date, and step-up path.
Looking at rival content is useful. It shows how the market frames the problem suppliers try to solve. They are selling steady methods, workflow control, and better choices.
What the market message means for suppliers
That fits what auto teams truly need. Furthermore, VDA 6.3 compliance gets fragile when audits live in loose files, actions live in email, and supplier readiness lives in someone’s memory. For instance, the problem is not a lack of forms. It is a lack of full sight.
What Automotive Suppliers Should Do Now
On top of that, if your team wants to stay ahead on VDA 6.3 2026, focus on steady methods. The goal is not just to pass the next audit. Moreover, it is to make the shift between sites, suppliers, and auditors smooth so that risk shows up early enough to act.
Priority actions for suppliers in 2026
- Above all, check your audit content against the 2023 rules. Make sure sites are not adding, dropping, or quietly editing VDA 6.3 questions.
- Map built-in software touchpoints. What’s more, if your product includes built-in software, confirm your audit prep covers the right links, proof, and expert support.
- Tighten pre-SOP supplier controls. Treat sourcing readiness, approval status, and supplier process fitness as early warnings, not launch-phase surprises.
- Track auditor status in one place. On top of that, keep a current log of upgrade training, exam status, cert expiry, and renewal readiness.
- Make CAPA follow-up from findings standard. Every finding should flow into a visible action plan with owner, due date, check step, and step-up path.
- Use software that gives clear sight. In addition, the right auto quality audit software should help you set standard templates, collect proof in the same way, manage fixes, and show risk across plants and suppliers.
That is where Certainty Software fits. When your audit process is standard, risk is easier to see. As a result, when risk is visible, your team can act before the customer call, launch delay, or repeat finding forces the issue.
Key Takeaways:
- VDA 6.3:2023 has applied since January 2023, and VDA says there is no set changeover window.
- The biggest changes center on built-in software, sourcing before SOP, hands-on guidance updates, and stricter audit match rules.
- The scoring scheme did not change at its core, but star question spread did. That can affect audit results.
- Current auditors need VDA 6.3 upgrade training before they can audit to the new volume.
- In 2026, top teams will use auto quality audit software to make work standard, show supplier risk, and turn findings into action.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there a new VDA 6.3 edition for 2026?
No. The current edition for VDA 6.3 2026 is still VDA 6.3:2023, based on the VDA QMC FAQ and the latest training pages.
What are the most important VDA 6.3 2023 changes suppliers should care about?
The top changes are the stronger treatment of products with built-in software, sharper sourcing tasks before SOP, shifted star question weights, clearer rules against adding or dropping questions, and a more hands-on volume per the VDA guidance.
Do auditors need VDA 6.3 upgrade training?
Yes. Because of this, VDA states that audits to the new volume can only be done after finishing the “From VDA 6.3:2016 to VDA 6.3:2023 – Upgrade” training, per the VDA QMC FAQ.
Did the VDA 6.3 scoring model change in 2023?
Not at its core. Specifically, VDA says the scoring scheme did not change. But star question spread shifted, and the greater focus on built-in software can sway audit results per the official FAQ.
Can remote audits fully replace onsite VDA 6.3 audits?
Usually not. VDA states that remote audits cannot serve as a fully complete VDA 6.3 process audit for P2 to P7. Most importantly, hybrid audits may count as fully complete, based on risk and context, per the VDA QMC FAQ.
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