16-item inspection and testing standards for automotive components Inspection and certification services for goods and factories

2025年9月10日

As a global leader in the automotive industry, the Volkswagen Group has established an industry-leading strict system for quality control of components. Its comprehensive supply chain quality management process, through rigorous supplier audits (Supplier Audit) and product validations (Product Validation), ensures that each component meets high-quality standards. This article will deeply analyze the component inspection system of Volkswagen and its requirements for quality control of the supply chain.
I. Source Control: Key Points for Factory Inspection of Volkswagen Suppliers
Volkswagen conducts strict supplier assessment and admission audits, which is the first line of defense to ensure the quality of components.
Quality Management System Certification:
It is necessary to obtain the IATF 16949 certification for the automotive industry quality system.
Establish a complete incoming material inspection (IQC), production process control (IPQC), and final inspection (FQC) process.
Having a complete quality traceability system enables the full process from raw materials to finished products to be traceable.
Laboratory proficiency testing:
The laboratory must obtain certification from either CNAS or DAkkS.
Have comprehensive capabilities in material analysis, performance testing and reliability verification.
The detection equipment needs to be calibrated regularly and must comply with Volkswagen standards such as VW 01155.
Production process control:
Implement Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Measurement System Analysis (MSA)
Establishing error-proofing measures (Poka-Yoke) and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
Carry out the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) and the First Article Inspection (FAI)
Environment and Social Responsibility:
Compliant with the social responsibility standards set by the Volkswagen Group
Obtained the certification of the environmental management system (ISO 14001)
Implementing green supply chain management is in line with environmental protection regulations.
II. Component Inspection System: 16 Major Inspection Categories of Volkswagen
1. Automotive Material Testing
Polymer material testing: mechanical mechanical properties, thermal properties, insulation electrical properties, chemical resistance test
Reflective material testing: dimensions, color, reflective performance, weather resistance, salt spray test
Foam sponge test: apparent density, compression deformation, hardness, combustion performance
Rubber material testing: density, hardness, tensile performance, oil resistance test
2. Exterior Component Testing
Applicable Products: Grilles, Side Panels, Rearview Mirror Covers, Engine Hood
Test items: Tensile strength test, adhesion test, corrosion resistance test, ultraviolet aging test
Environmental testing: Dust exposure/test, Rainfall exposure/test, Flying debris test, High and low temperature mechanical test
3. Interior Component Testing
Chemical Testing: Heavy metal analysis, VOC detection, flame retardant component analysis
Environmental testing: High and low temperature shock, multi-cycle corrosion tests under temperature/humidity/salinity conditions
Performance test: Mechanical shock test, deformation force test, atomization test
4. Safety System Testing
Airbags: Electrical test, mechanical vibration, temperature shock test
Tire testing: High-speed testing, dynamic testing, strength testing, durability testing
Lighting system: Light distribution performance, luminance test, dust and water resistance test
5. Chassis component testing
Performance testing: Dimension measurement, surface analysis, metallographic analysis
Durability test: Fatigue test, environmental durability test
Material testing: Testing of cast iron, cast aluminum, alloys and plastic-rubber components
6. Electronic and Electrical Equipment Testing
EMC Testing: Electromagnetic Interference and Anti-interference Performance Testing
Environmental testing: High and low temperature, humidity, and temperature shock tests
Life test: Load test, overload test, insertion and removal frequency test, fatigue life test
7. Connector System Test
Electrical performance: Voltage drop test, contact resistance, insulation test
Mechanical properties: Vibration test, impact test, housing strength test
Environmental reliability: Salt spray test, dust-proof and water-proof IP grade test
8. Oil Product and Emission Testing
Fuel testing: Octane number, Cetane number, Component analysis
Lubricant testing: Oxidation stability, metal ions, viscosity
Emission test: Detection of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter
III. Special Testing Standards for Volkswagen Cars
Environmental Reliability Test:
Temperature cycling: -40℃ to +85℃ cyclic test
Hydrothermal test: Long-term test under conditions of 85℃/85%RH
Salt spray test: Neutral salt spray test, Acidic salt spray test
Durability test:
Vibration durability: Random vibration and sinusoidal vibration tests
Mechanical durability: Key and switch life test
Environmental durability: Comprehensive environmental stress test
Material Analysis:
Component analysis: ICP, XRF elemental analysis
Structural analysis: Microscopic structure observation by SEM and TEM
Thermal analysis: DSC and TGA thermal performance tests
IV. Quality Control Process of Volkswagen
New Project Development Phase:
Design Verification (DV) Test
Process Validation (PV) Test
Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
Batch production stage:
Inbound Quality Inspection (IQC)
Process Quality Audit (PQA)
Outgoing Quality Inspection (OQC)
Continuous improvement:
8D Problem-solving Method
Quality Performance Monitoring
Continuous Improvement Plan
V. Common Defect Handling Process
Defect Classification:
Critical (Serious): Defects that affect safety or primary functions
Major: Defects that affect performance or appearance
Minor (Slight): Appearance defects that do not affect functionality
Processing procedure:
Immediately isolate the suspicious items
Initiate the 8D problem analysis
Implement corrective and preventive measures
Verify the effectiveness of the measures
Conclusion
The quality management system for components of Volkswagen demonstrates the extreme pursuit of quality in German manufacturing. Through strict supplier management, a comprehensive testing system, and continuous quality improvement, every component is ensured to meet the highest quality standards. This full life-cycle quality management model not only guarantees the reliability and safety of the products, but also sets a benchmark for quality management in the entire automotive industry.