Most sourcing disasters—unexpected delays, quality fade, batch defects—happen because the buyer didn’t apply enough pressure before signing the contract.
If you are evaluating a new automotive filter manufacturer in China or anywhere else, generic questions get you generic answers. To find the truth, you need to ask “brutal” questions that force transparency.
Here are the 7 critical questions to vet automotive filter suppliers. If they struggle to answer even one, consider it a major risk signal.
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Anyone can photoshop a certificate or buy a fake one. The audit report is the real proof.
- Why it matters: The certificate shows they passed once. The audit report shows their ongoing system health and recent non-conformities.
- The Risk Signal: “We have IATF but cannot show the report.”
- Translation: The system is weak, or the certificate is invalid.
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“Which Filter Media Brands do you use? Break it down by percentage.”
Filter media determines 70% of the product’s filtration efficiency and lifespan.
- Why it matters: Top-tier suppliers use renowned brands like Hollingsworth & Vose (HV), Ahlstrom, or KOLON. Low-end workshops use generic, unbranded media that clogs quickly.
- The Risk Signal: Vague answers like “We use high-quality imported paper” without naming the brand.
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“What is your actual On-Time Delivery Rate (OTD) for the last 12 months?”
Don’t accept “usually” or “generally” as an answer. Demand the data.
- Why it matters: A professional factory tracks OTD as a KPI. If they don’t know the number, they don’t control their production planning.
- The Risk Signal: “Around 90%” or “We are very fast.”
- Translation: They don’t track it, and your shipment will likely be late.
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“Demonstrate your Batch Traceability Flow with a real example.”
If a customer complains about a defective oil filter six months from now, can the factory trace exactly when it was made?
- Why it matters: Real traceability links the final product code back to the raw material batch, the machine operator, and the QC records. This allows for precise containment during a claim.
- The Risk Signal: They show you a batch code printed on the can but have no paper trail linking it to the production line.
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“What is your Defect Rate and show me a recent Corrective Action Report (CAR).”
Every factory has defects. The difference is how they handle them.
- Why it matters: A mature supplier uses the 8D problem-solving method or CARs to prevent recurrence.
- The Risk Signal: “We have zero defects.”
- Translation: They are lying, or they simply throw away defects without analyzing the root cause.
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“Can you optimize packaging to reduce CBM by 10–15%?”
Logistics costs can destroy your margin. A strategic partner engineers the box, not just the filter.
- Why it matters: Smart packaging engineering (flat-packing, multi-packs) reduces freight spend significantly.
- The Risk Signal: They only offer standard, fixed carton sizes and refuse to customize for pallet efficiency.
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“Send me an unedited video of your production line right now.”
Photos on Alibaba or websites are often stock images or highly staged.
- Why it matters: Video doesn’t lie. Ask for a quick walkthrough of the assembly line, QC room, and warehouse.
- The Risk Signal: Refusal to show live footage, or sending a polished “marketing video” from 5 years ago.
- Translation: They might be a trading company with no factory, or a small workshop with poor hygiene.
Summary: The 30-Second Supplier Risk Test
Use this checklist for your next video call with a potential supplier:
- IATF Audit Report? (Yes/No)
- Branded Media Proof? (Yes/No)
- Exact OTD % Data? (Yes/No)
- Full Traceability Demo? (Yes/No)
- Real Defect Data? (Yes/No)
- Packaging Engineering? (Yes/No)
- Live Factory Video? (Yes/No)
If a supplier fails 2 or more of these questions, you are facing an 80% chance of future problems.
Want to vet Beling Filters?
We welcome these questions. Challenge us. We are ready to show our audit reports, media supply chain, and live production floor.
Contact us for a Transparent Evaluation
Bruce Gong (Key Account Manager)
Email: bruce.gong@belingparts.com
WhatsApp: +86 15057764729
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/brucegong-beling
