---
title: "SCAR vs CAR vs CAPA vs 8D: what is the difference?"
description: "NCR, CAR, SCAR, CAPA and 8D explained: what each one is, who owns it, when to open it and how they fit together, with a comparison table and an example."
image: https://factoryqa.com/hubfs/fqa-og-res-scar-vs-car-vs-capa-vs-8d.png
---

[![FactoryQA](https://factoryqa.com/hubfs/fqa-logo-white.png)](https://factoryqa.com/)

Features

[**Platform overview**Every module, and how they connect](https://factoryqa.com/feature-overview)[**AI features**Purpose-built AI in every module](https://factoryqa.com/ai-powered-quality-management)[**Integrations**ERP connectors and imports](https://factoryqa.com/integrations)

[**Dashboard**Every module in one scorecard](https://factoryqa.com/products/qualitybi-dashboard)[**Tasks**Every to-do, from every module](https://factoryqa.com/products/task-management)[**Compliance**Readiness for your standard](https://factoryqa.com/products/compliance)[**Quality Plans**Ballooning, PFMEA, control plans, PPAP](https://factoryqa.com/products/quality-plans)[**Documents**Revisions, approvals, sign-offs](https://factoryqa.com/products/document-control)[**Issues**NCRs, CAPAs and SCARs](https://factoryqa.com/products/non-conformance-management)[**Inspection**Sheets, first articles and SPC](https://factoryqa.com/products/inspection-sheets)[**Calibration**Gages, due dates and Gage R&R](https://factoryqa.com/products/calibration-management)[**Preventive Maintenance**Scheduled work orders and repairs](https://factoryqa.com/preventive-maintenance-factoryqa)[**Supplier Quality**Approved suppliers, portal and SCARs](https://factoryqa.com/products/supplier-management)[**Audits**Schedules, checklists and findings](https://factoryqa.com/products/audit-management)[**Learning Management**Courses, quizzes and the training matrix](https://factoryqa.com/products/learning-management-system)[**QMS Generator**Your manual from an interview](https://factoryqa.com/products/qms-generator)

Services

[**Services overview**Certification, consulting and supplier quality](https://factoryqa.com/services)[**Get Certified**Three paths to AS9100, ISO 9001 or ISO 13485: do it yourself, join a workshop, or work 1-1 with a consultant.](https://factoryqa.com/certification-services)[**Certification Workshops**A 9-week, small-group program with 18 expert-led sessions and an AI-built document kit.](https://factoryqa.com/certification-cohorts)[**QMS Consulting**A consultant on your team from training through implementation, internal audit and the registrar audit.](https://factoryqa.com/qms-consulting)[**Supplier Quality Services**Qualification, management, training and security services for your whole supply base.](https://factoryqa.com/supplier-quality-services)

[Pricing](https://factoryqa.com/pricing)

[Log in](https://app.factoryqa.com/auth/login)[Book a demo](https://factoryqa.com/get-a-demo)[Start free](https://app.factoryqa.com/auth/register)

Features[**Platform overview**](https://factoryqa.com/feature-overview)[AI features](https://factoryqa.com/ai-powered-quality-management)[Integrations](https://factoryqa.com/integrations)[Dashboard](https://factoryqa.com/products/qualitybi-dashboard)[Tasks](https://factoryqa.com/products/task-management)[Compliance](https://factoryqa.com/products/compliance)[Quality Plans](https://factoryqa.com/products/quality-plans)[Documents](https://factoryqa.com/products/document-control)[Issues](https://factoryqa.com/products/non-conformance-management)[Inspection](https://factoryqa.com/products/inspection-sheets)[Calibration](https://factoryqa.com/products/calibration-management)[Preventive Maintenance](https://factoryqa.com/preventive-maintenance-factoryqa)[Supplier Quality](https://factoryqa.com/products/supplier-management)[Audits](https://factoryqa.com/products/audit-management)[Learning Management](https://factoryqa.com/products/learning-management-system)[QMS Generator](https://factoryqa.com/products/qms-generator)

Services[**Services overview**](https://factoryqa.com/services)[Get Certified](https://factoryqa.com/certification-services)[Certification Workshops](https://factoryqa.com/certification-cohorts)[QMS Consulting](https://factoryqa.com/qms-consulting)[Supplier Quality Services](https://factoryqa.com/supplier-quality-services)More[**Pricing**](https://factoryqa.com/pricing)[Log in](https://app.factoryqa.com/auth/login)[Book a demo](https://factoryqa.com/get-a-demo)

Supplier quality

# SCAR vs CAR vs CAPA vs 8D: what is the difference?

NCR, CAR, SCAR, CAPA and 8D explained: what each one is, who owns it, when to open it and how they fit together, with a comparison table and an example.

FactoryQA quality teamNovember 12, 2026

Quality teams use NCR, CAR, SCAR, CAPA and 8D almost interchangeably, and customers' quality clauses do not always help. They are different things: three are records, one is a system of actions, and one is a problem-solving method. Getting them straight tells you which record to open, who owns it and what "closed" means.

Problem found**Part, process or supplier**Which record do you open?

NCR: record it, decide what happens to the partsCAR: fix the cause in your own processSCAR: ask the supplier to fix theirs8D: the method used inside a CAR or SCAR

## The short answer

| Term | What it is | Who owns it | Typical trigger |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| NCR | Nonconformance report: a record that a part, material or process did not meet a requirement, and what was done with the parts | Whoever found it, then the material review board | A failed inspection, a reject at receiving, a customer return |
| CAR | Corrective action request or report: a record of the investigation and actions that remove the cause of a nonconformity, so it does not happen again | Your organization | A repeat, serious or systemic NCR, an audit finding, a customer complaint |
| SCAR | Supplier corrective action request: a CAR you send to a supplier because the cause is in their process | The supplier answers; you approve and verify | A supplier-caused NCR that is serious, repeated or affects your customer |
| CAPA | Corrective and preventive action: the overall system of corrective actions (after a problem) and preventive actions (before one) | Your quality system | Every CAR and preventive action belongs to it |
| 8D | Eight disciplines: a structured problem-solving method: team, problem, containment, root cause, actions, validation, prevention, closure | The team working the CAR or SCAR | Required by many automotive and aerospace customers for CAR and SCAR responses |

## NCR: the record of what went wrong

An NCR documents the facts: part number, revision, lot, quantity, the requirement and what was found. It also records containment and the disposition (use as is, rework, repair, return to supplier or scrap; see our guide to [MRB and dispositions](https://factoryqa.com/resources/mrb-dispositions-guide)). Many NCRs end there. A one-off scratch caught at final inspection may need a disposition and nothing more.

## CAR: fixing the cause in your own process

A CAR goes further: it asks why the nonconformity happened and changes something so it cannot happen again. ISO 9001 clause 10.2 requires you to react to a nonconformity, evaluate whether action is needed to remove its causes, take that action and review whether it was effective. AS9100 adds that the investigation should consider human factors, and that corrective action requirements are flowed down to suppliers when they are responsible. Open a CAR when the problem is serious, repeats, reaches a customer, or comes from an audit.

One CAR can address several NCRs that share a cause. Linking them keeps each NCR's facts while the investigation happens once.

## SCAR: when the cause is at your supplier

A SCAR is a CAR addressed to a supplier. You still own the nonconformance and the disposition of the parts in your building; the supplier owns the investigation of their process. You review their root cause and corrective action, verify it on the next shipments, and close the SCAR only when the evidence holds. Our guide to [writing a SCAR suppliers actually answer](https://factoryqa.com/resources/how-to-write-a-scar) covers what to put in the request.

Not every supplier reject needs a SCAR. A single, low-risk defect may only need a notification and a credit. Issue a SCAR when the defect is serious, repeated, escaped to your customer, or points to a weakness in the supplier's controls.

## CAPA: the system both belong to

CAPA is the umbrella term. Corrective action responds to a problem that happened; preventive action removes the cause of a problem that has not happened yet. ISO 9001:2015 dropped the separate preventive action clause and handles prevention through risk-based thinking (clause 6.1), so ISO 9001 shops usually talk about corrective action. ISO 13485 still has separate corrective (8.5.2) and preventive (8.5.3) action clauses, which is why medical device manufacturers say CAPA.

## 8D: a method, not a record

8D is a way of working a CAR or SCAR, not a separate document type. Its disciplines map onto the record: D1 team, D2 problem description, D3 containment, D4 root cause, D5 chosen corrective actions, D6 implementation and validation, D7 preventing recurrence, D8 closure and recognition. Some versions add a D0 for planning and emergency response. Other methods work too: 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams, A3. ISO 9001 and AS9100 require effective corrective action but do not require a specific method; your customer's requirements may.

## How they fit together

1. An inspector finds an oversize bore and opens an **NCR**. The parts are quarantined and the MRB decides the disposition.
2. It is the third time this quarter, so quality escalates it to a **CAR**, linking the earlier NCRs.
3. The bores were machined by a subcontractor, so the CAR goes to them as a **SCAR**.
4. The supplier works the SCAR as an **8D** and answers it (see [how to respond to a SCAR](https://factoryqa.com/resources/how-to-respond-to-a-scar)).
5. You verify the fix on the next lots and close it. The CAR counts toward your **CAPA** effectiveness metrics.

Issues in FactoryQA: NCRs, CAPAs and SCARs on one record instead of a spreadsheet log.

In FactoryQA every problem is an issue with a classification: Non-Conformance, Corrective, Preventive or Opportunity for Improvement. An issue whose source is a supplier shows a SCAR instead of a CAR, and you can send the supplier a link to answer it without an account. One corrective action can close several linked NCRs, and the CAR report holds everything an 8D asks for, D1 to D8. See [Issues](https://factoryqa.com/products/non-conformance-management).

## Frequently asked questions

### Is a SCAR the same as a CAR?

A SCAR is a CAR sent to a supplier. The content is the same (containment, root cause, corrective action, verification), but the supplier does the investigation and you approve and verify it.

### Does ISO 9001 require 8D?

No. ISO 9001 clause 10.2 requires corrective action that removes the cause of a nonconformity and a review of its effectiveness, but no particular method. Many automotive and aerospace customers ask for 8D in their own requirements.

### Do I need an NCR before a CAR?

Usually, but not always. Most CARs start from one or more NCRs. Audit findings, customer complaints and trend reviews can open a CAR directly.

### What does CAPA mean under ISO 9001:2015?

ISO 9001:2015 has a corrective action clause (10.2) and handles prevention through risk-based thinking (6.1) instead of a separate preventive action clause. CAPA remains the common term, especially in medical devices, where ISO 13485 keeps both.

### When should a supplier problem become a SCAR?

When the defect is serious, repeats, reached your customer, or shows the supplier's controls failed. A single low-risk defect may only need a notification and a credit.

Keep reading

## More from Resources

[Supplier quality**Customer complaints and supplier inspections in one QMS**Why customer complaints and incoming supplier inspections belong in the same QMS, how the loop between them closes, and what software should do for both.](https://factoryqa.com/resources/customer-complaints-and-supplier-inspections-in-one-qms)[Guide**QMS software for metal fabrication: what to look for**What a metal fabrication shop should look for in QMS software: drawing-based inspection, welder qualifications, outside processors, NCRs, gages and PM.](https://factoryqa.com/resources/qms-software-for-metal-fabrication-what-to-look-for)[Guide**Why manufacturers outgrow paper-based quality systems**Seven signs a paper quality system is holding your plant back, what a digital QMS changes for compliance, visibility and speed, and how to switch safely.](https://factoryqa.com/resources/why-manufacturers-outgrow-paper-based-quality-systems)

## Try it on your own process: start free.

Free plan · Basic $40 · Pro $60 per standard user per month · 14 days of Pro to start

[Start free](https://app.factoryqa.com/auth/register)[Book a demo](https://factoryqa.com/get-a-demo)

![FactoryQA](https://factoryqa.com/hubfs/fqa-logo-white.png)Every quality tool. One connected system.

Product[Features](https://factoryqa.com/feature-overview)[AI features](https://factoryqa.com/ai-powered-quality-management)[Integrations](https://factoryqa.com/integrations)[Pricing](https://factoryqa.com/pricing)

Modules[Quality Plans](https://factoryqa.com/products/quality-plans)[Documents](https://factoryqa.com/products/document-control)[Issues](https://factoryqa.com/products/non-conformance-management)[Inspection](https://factoryqa.com/products/inspection-sheets)[Calibration](https://factoryqa.com/products/calibration-management)

Services[Get Certified](https://factoryqa.com/certification-services)[Certification Workshops](https://factoryqa.com/certification-cohorts)[QMS Consulting](https://factoryqa.com/qms-consulting)[Supplier Quality Services](https://factoryqa.com/supplier-quality-services)

Resources[Guides](https://factoryqa.com/resources)[FAQ](https://factoryqa.com/resources/faq)[Glossary](https://factoryqa.com/resources/quality-glossary)

Company[Contact](https://factoryqa.com/get-a-demo-1)[Help Center](https://app.factoryqa.com/help)[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/factoryqa)[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/factoryqa)

© 2026 FactoryQA[Privacy Policy](https://factoryqa.com/privacy-policy) · [Terms and Conditions](https://factoryqa.com/terms-and-conditions)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "FactoryQA quality team",
    "url" : "https://factoryqa.com/resources/author/factoryqa-quality-team"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-11-12T18:28:58.567Z",
  "datePublished" : "2026-11-12T18:28:58.000Z",
  "headline" : "SCAR vs CAR vs CAPA vs 8D: what is the difference?",
  "image" : [ "https://factoryqa.com/hubfs/fqa-og-res-scar-vs-car-vs-capa-vs-8d.png" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://factoryqa.com/resources/scar-vs-car-vs-capa-vs-8d",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://20847757.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20847757/264.png"
    },
    "name" : "FactoryQA"
  }
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "Article",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "name" : "FactoryQA",
    "url" : "https://factoryqa.com/"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-11-12",
  "datePublished" : "2026-11-12",
  "description" : "NCR, CAR, SCAR, CAPA and 8D explained: what each one is, who owns it, when to open it and how they fit together, with a comparison table and an example.",
  "headline" : "<span id=\"hs_cos_wrapper_name\" class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field hs_cos_wrapper_type_text\" style=\"\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"meta_field\" data-hs-cos-type=\"text\" >SCAR vs CAR vs CAPA vs 8D: what is the difference?</span>",
  "image" : "https://factoryqa.com/hubfs/fqa-og-res-scar-vs-car-vs-capa-vs-8d.png",
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://factoryqa.com/resources/scar-vs-car-vs-capa-vs-8d",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://factoryqa.com/hubfs/fqa-logo-white.png"
    },
    "name" : "FactoryQA",
    "url" : "https://factoryqa.com/"
  }
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "FAQPage",
  "mainEntity" : [ {
    "@type" : "Question",
    "acceptedAnswer" : {
      "@type" : "Answer",
      "text" : "A SCAR is a CAR sent to a supplier. The content is the same (containment, root cause, corrective action, verification), but the supplier does the investigation and you approve and verify it."
    },
    "name" : "Is a SCAR the same as a CAR?"
  }, {
    "@type" : "Question",
    "acceptedAnswer" : {
      "@type" : "Answer",
      "text" : "No. ISO 9001 clause 10.2 requires corrective action that removes the cause of a nonconformity and a review of its effectiveness, but no particular method. Many automotive and aerospace customers ask for 8D in their own requirements."
    },
    "name" : "Does ISO 9001 require 8D?"
  }, {
    "@type" : "Question",
    "acceptedAnswer" : {
      "@type" : "Answer",
      "text" : "Usually, but not always. Most CARs start from one or more NCRs. Audit findings, customer complaints and trend reviews can open a CAR directly."
    },
    "name" : "Do I need an NCR before a CAR?"
  }, {
    "@type" : "Question",
    "acceptedAnswer" : {
      "@type" : "Answer",
      "text" : "ISO 9001:2015 has a corrective action clause (10.2) and handles prevention through risk-based thinking (6.1) instead of a separate preventive action clause. CAPA remains the common term, especially in medical devices, where ISO 13485 keeps both."
    },
    "name" : "What does CAPA mean under ISO 9001:2015?"
  }, {
    "@type" : "Question",
    "acceptedAnswer" : {
      "@type" : "Answer",
      "text" : "When the defect is serious, repeats, reached your customer, or shows the supplier's controls failed. A single low-risk defect may only need a notification and a credit."
    },
    "name" : "When should a supplier problem become a SCAR?"
  } ]
}
```