What this checklist covers
The Accessory Inventory Availability Checklist is a 15-point scorecard for fast-moving accessories, model-wise stock, backorder items, reorder levels, ageing stock, and inventory accuracy. Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on what the auditor sees on the day, and every gap goes into an action plan with an owner and a close date.
AutoSmart tip: Accessory availability is a direct revenue and satisfaction driver — a consultant who recommends an accessory and then discovers it is out of stock loses the sale and the customer’s confidence simultaneously. Review the top 20 fast-moving accessories against current stock on the day of every management meeting, not only in the monthly stock report.
The checks
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Fast-moving and model-wise stock
- Is a defined list of fast-moving accessories maintained, with minimum stock levels set and monitored to prevent the most commonly requested items from stocking out?
- Is accessory stock managed by model — with stocking decisions aligned to the dealership's current vehicle parc and new model sales mix, not based on historical averages that may reflect a different model range?
- Are accessories for newly launched models stocked ahead of the model's retail go-live date, so customers can order and receive accessories at the point of purchase — not after a waiting period?
- Is the sales team informed of which accessories are in stock and which are on order at any given time, so they can make accurate commitments to customers without waiting for a parts query?
Reorder levels and backorder management
- Are reorder levels set for all stocked accessories, triggering replenishment before stock reaches zero — not initiated reactively after a stockout has already occurred?
- Is a backorder tracker maintained for all accessories on order, with expected arrival dates updated at a defined frequency and communicated to the sales team?
- Are customers with accessories on backorder proactively informed of updated ETAs, rather than relying on the customer to chase for a status update?
- Is a priority reorder process in place for accessories required for imminent vehicle deliveries — ensuring pre-delivery fitment orders are not treated with the same lead time as standard replenishment?
Ageing stock
- Is an ageing stock report reviewed on a defined cycle, identifying accessories that have exceeded the defined ageing threshold without a sale?
- Are aged accessories subject to a defined action plan — promotional placement, bundled offer, sales team briefing, or return to supplier — rather than left on the shelf indefinitely?
- Is obsolete accessory stock (for models no longer in the active vehicle parc) identified and managed separately, with a return-to-distributor or write-off process followed rather than continued holding?
Stock accuracy and governance
- Is accessory physical stock reconciled against system stock on a defined cycle, with discrepancies investigated and resolved rather than accepted as normal variance?
- Is the accessory inventory accuracy rate (system stock matching physical stock) tracked as a metric, with accuracy below the defined threshold triggering a root cause investigation?
- Is accessory stock performance (availability rate, backorder rate, ageing stock value) reviewed in the management meeting alongside parts and service revenue metrics?
- Is the accessory stocking plan reviewed at each model-year update, adding new accessories for new model variants and removing stocking allocations for discontinued items?
How to run it
How the scoring works
Before the visit, fill in the dealer or centre, the auditor, the date and the audit cycle. Then score each of the 15 checks from 1 to 5 on what you see on the day, not on what the site aims for, and add them up out of 75.
- 1Not in place
- 2Attempted
- 3Defined
- 4Managed
- 5Fully sustained
- Green60–75 · 80–100%Compliant. Keep the standard.
- Amber38–59 · 50–79%Improvement needed: a structured action plan within 30 days.
- Red0–37 · Below 50%Priority intervention, escalated to regional management.
Then close every gap
Each gap goes into the action plan tracker and moves through four stages until the auditor closes it.
- 1PendingOwner and close date set
- 2In progressWork under way, evidence gathered
- 3CompletedEvidence submitted for review
- 4ApprovedVerified and closed by the auditor
