What this checklist covers
The SASO Fuel Economy Label Checklist is a 15-point scorecard for fuel economy label availability, accuracy, display requirements, and certificate validity for new light vehicles. 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: SASO fuel economy label compliance is most commonly breached in the weeks following a new model launch — labels for new variants may not arrive with the first batch of vehicles. Confirm label receipt and fitment before any new vehicle is placed on display, not after the vehicle has already been shown to customers.
The checks
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Label availability and display
- Does every new light vehicle on display or offered for sale carry a SASO fuel economy label as required under the SASO fuel economy label service for new light vehicles?
- Is the fuel economy label displayed in the correct mandatory position on the vehicle (left rear window) as specified in the SASO label requirements?
- Is the fuel economy label affixed and visible during showroom hours, not covered by promotional material, window tinting, or protective film?
- Are demonstration and test drive vehicles also carrying current, accurate fuel economy labels consistent with their specifications?
Label accuracy and vehicle data match
- Does the fuel economy rating on the displayed label match the approved rating on file for the specific model, variant, and engine configuration?
- Is the vehicle identification data (model, variant, engine, transmission) on the label consistent with the actual vehicle it is affixed to?
- Where multiple variants of the same model carry different fuel economy ratings, are labels correctly differentiated and matched to each specific variant?
- Are labels for new model-year vehicles updated to reflect the current SASO-approved rating for that model year, with no prior-year labels in use?
Certificate validity
- Is the SASO fuel economy certificate for each model on sale current and valid, with no expired approvals still in use?
- Are certificate validity periods tracked, with renewal applications submitted before expiry to avoid any gap in compliance?
- Are certificate records held on file at the dealership, available for inspection if requested by SASO or regulatory authorities?
Customer visibility and governance
- Is the fuel economy label visible and legible to customers browsing the showroom without needing to request it from sales staff?
- Are sales staff able to explain the fuel economy label data to customers accurately, including the rating scale and its relevance to running costs?
- Is there a documented process for replacing damaged or missing fuel economy labels before the vehicle is displayed or sold?
- Is a named person at the dealership responsible for monitoring fuel economy label compliance across the vehicle display?
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
