There are many OEM audit standards today, it can feel like navigating a maze.

If you’re running an automotive dealership, you know that staying compliant with OEM standards is essential. But with every automotive brand following its own set of guidelines, how do you keep up? 

From facility design and branding to service efficiency and customer satisfaction, manufacturers use rigorous audit frameworks to ensure their dealerships maintain global quality benchmarks. At AutoSmart Audit , we help dealerships understand and meet these expectations. 

In this blog, let’s break down key standards from top OEMs and how our digital audit tool can make compliance with your standards smoother and smarter.

Why Dealership Standards Matter in the Automotive Industry

Your customers expect a seamless, premium experience, no matter the location. Consistency across dealerships is essential to building customer trust. A car owner visiting one location should receive the same level of care and brand experience as they would at any other. Audits help make that possible by upholding brand identity and operational discipline across the entire network. Learn more about how car dealership standards ensure smooth operations across locations.

Here’s what strong audit programs typically help manufacturers and dealers achieve:

• Uniform customer experience across different geographies
  
• Higher customer satisfaction and long-term loyalty
  
• Operational excellence in all departments
  
• Better brand representation
  
• Improved profitability
  

List of Global Dealership Standards by Major Automotive Brands

Here’s a breakdown of major OEM programs and what they focus on: 

Note: This is an independent overview and not an official representation of these brands.

Toyota

• Kodawari Standards: Customer journey, branding, service processes, and facility management.
  
• TSM (Toyota Service Management): Operational excellence in after-sales service.
• DPOK (Dealer Parts Operation Kaizen): Parts operations standards for efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• FIR (Fix It Right): Diagnosis and repair quality standards in service operations.
• DERAP (Dealer Environmental Risk Audit Program): Environmental compliance and risk assessment at dealerships.

Honda

• Honda Clinic: Internal audit program evaluating service quality, workshop efficiency, parts management, and customer satisfaction.
  

Hyundai

• GDSI (Global Dealership Space Identity): Dealership design and facility branding standard.

• Service Excellence Audit (SEA): SOPs in service reception, diagnostics, and customer handling.
  

Kia

• Kia Dealer Standards: Focus on visual identity and customer experience.
  
• Service Audits: Technician efficiency and process compliance.
  

Volkswagen

• Retail Quality Standards (RQS): Evaluates customer flow, CI branding, staff grooming, and digital systems’ usage.
  
• Core Service Audits: Technical service delivery checks.
  

BMW

• CI (Corporate Identity) Audits: Showroom layout, digital touchpoints, and customer zones.
  
• Experience Audits: On-site evaluations of premium service delivery.
  

Mercedes-Benz

• MBDE (Mercedes-Benz Dealer Evaluation): Audits sales and service operations, CSI metrics, and branding compliance.
  
• Retail Operating Standards (ROS): Defined KPIs for dealer operations.
  

Nissan

• NREDI: Branding and facility standards.
  
• Service Excellence Program: Includes CRM usage, SOP compliance, and feedback loops.
  

Ford

• Signature Program: Global dealership branding and identity standards.
  
• Quality Care Program: workshop process excellence and customer satisfaction.
  

General Motors (Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac)

• Retail Standards Program: Service center layout, process flow, and digital experience.
  
• Customer Experience Audits: Real-time observation and feedback evaluations.
  

How to Stay Audit-Ready in 2025

Keeping up with OEM dealership standards manually can be stressful. That’s where AutoSmart Audit comes in. Our platform simplifies the audit and compliance process with:

• Brand-specific audit templates
  
• Real-time data capture with photo/video evidence
  
• Dashboards for compliance tracking
  
• Assigned corrective actions with timelines

Our system is designed to support OEM standards. So you’re always aligned, always prepared.Additionally, regional OEM offices play a critical role in aligning dealership operations and ensuring local compliance.

Final Thoughts: Take Control of Compliance, Before the Next Audit

Whether you’re aligned with Toyota’s Kodawari, Hyundai’s SEA, or Mercedes-Benz’s MBDE, staying ready isn’t about reacting, it’s about building proactive systems. By digitizing your internal checks, you not only avoid penalties and lost ratings, but you also empower your team to deliver world-class service, every day.

With AutoSmart, let audits be your tool for improvement and not a cause for panic.

Disclaimer: This article is an independent summary of publicly known dealership audit standards. AutoSmart Audit is not affiliated with or endorsed by Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, or any other OEM listed. All mentioned brand names belong to the respective owners.