Certificate of conformity (CoC): registering imported cars
What a certificate of conformity is, why you need a CoC to register an imported car in another EU country, how to get one and what it costs.
· 7 min read
A certificate of conformity (CoC) is the manufacturer's declaration that a vehicle matches its EU-approved type. It lists the type-approval number, VIN, dimensions, masses, engine, emissions and permitted tyres. Registration authorities use it to load the car's technical data when it is registered in a new country. For an imported used car, many authorities ask for it, and a missing CoC can delay a sale by weeks.
What is a certificate of conformity for a car?
The certificate of conformity is a standard document defined by EU type-approval law, Regulation (EU) 2018/858. Article 36 of that regulation requires the manufacturer to issue a CoC for every vehicle built in conformity with an approved type, to deliver it free of charge with the vehicle, and to design it so it cannot easily be forged. The template is set by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/683.
In practice the CoC is the technical passport of the car. It typically shows:
- the EU type-approval number and the type, variant and version;
- the VIN and the manufacturer's details;
- dimensions, kerb weight and maximum permitted masses, including towing loads;
- engine code, capacity, power, fuel and emission standard;
- CO2 emissions and fuel or energy consumption;
- the approved tyre and wheel sizes and the number of seats.
Since 5 July 2026, Regulation 2018/858 allows manufacturers to make the CoC available as structured electronic data instead of paper (Articles 36(2) and 37). Older cars, which make up almost all used stock, still come with paper CoCs.
Do I need a CoC to register a used car imported from another EU country?
In many EU countries you do, or registration is much faster with one. The legal starting point is Directive 1999/37/EC: a registration certificate issued in one member state must be recognised by the others for re-registration (Article 4), and your authority must collect Part I and, where it exists, Part II of the old certificate (Article 5(2)).
The foreign registration certificate does not always contain every technical field your national register needs. That is where the CoC comes in. Germany's registration offices, for example, ask for the foreign vehicle documents and the EC certificate of conformity when an EU used car is registered, together with the latest roadworthiness report; without a CoC they require a technical report from an inspection body under § 21 StVZO, according to the European Consumer Centre Germany.
Other countries use different routes, for example a technical inspection or an identification check before registration, but the CoC is the document that makes those checks quick. Treat it as required unless your registration office confirms otherwise.
| Situation | CoC needed? | Typical alternative |
|---|---|---|
| EU-type-approved car, registered in another member state | Usually requested | Data from the foreign registration certificate plus inspection |
| Car modified after registration (wheels, towbar, engine tune) | CoC alone may not be enough | Inspection report covering the changes |
| Car built for a non-EU market (US, Japan, Middle East spec) | No EU CoC exists | Individual vehicle approval |
| Brand-new or nearly new car bought abroad | Yes, always | – |
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Request accessHow do I get a CoC and how much does it cost?
You order a CoC from the manufacturer, usually through its national importer or a franchised dealer. Regulation 2018/858 (Article 36(3)) says that for ten years after the date of manufacture the manufacturer must issue a duplicate at the owner's request, for a fee that does not exceed the cost of issuing it. The duplicate is clearly marked "duplicate".
The process:
- Ask the seller first. Many German and Dutch cars still have the original CoC in the service folder.
- If it is missing, contact the brand's importer in the country of manufacture or in your own country, or use the manufacturer's online CoC service where one exists.
- Provide the VIN and a copy of the registration certificate; some brands also ask for proof of ownership.
- Pay the fee and wait for delivery, usually a few days to a couple of weeks.
Duplicate prices are set by each manufacturer and in Germany typically fall between about €60 and €200. There are also independent CoC services that order the document from the manufacturer for you, at a higher price but often faster.
Order the CoC as soon as the purchase is agreed, not when the car arrives. If it is still missing on delivery day, the car sits on your forecourt unregistered and unsellable.
What can I do if the car has no CoC?
If no CoC can be obtained, the fallback is an individual approval or a full technical report from an inspection body. This applies mainly to:
- cars built for markets outside the EU (US or Canadian imports, grey imports from Asia);
- cars older than the ten-year duplicate window where the manufacturer no longer issues one;
- small-series or modified vehicles.
An individual approval means the car is checked against the EU technical requirements one by one. It costs more than a CoC, takes longer and can require changes such as lights or speedometer units. For a trade car, that usually turns a profitable deal into a loss, so check the CoC situation before you bid on anything with an unusual origin.
Common CoC problems with imported cars
Most CoC problems come from a mismatch between the paper and the car.
- Wrong variant. The CoC is for a different version (another engine or gearbox). The VIN must match exactly; see where to find the VIN number.
- Tyres and wheels. The fitted wheels are not among those listed on the CoC. Some authorities then require a separate approval.
- Towbar fitted later. The CoC shows no towing masses or a different value.
- Light commercial vehicles converted to passenger use, or the reverse: the category on the CoC no longer matches.
- Forged or edited CoCs. Article 36 requires anti-forgery features. A CoC that looks like a photocopy, or a seller who can only send a PDF, is a warning sign.
How to include document costs in the landed price
Treat the CoC like any other cost on the deal: if it is missing, add the duplicate fee and the delay to your calculation before you agree a price. A €150 CoC is trivial on a €20,000 car; three weeks of standing time before you can register and advertise is not.
When you compare a car abroad with your home market, MyCarDealer lets you add document and registration costs to the landed price, so the margin you see includes them. The full sequence of checks is in our guide to how to import a car from Germany, and the options for moving the car are in car transport in Europe. To check a single car's market price first, use the free valuation.
Frequently asked questions
How do I obtain a certificate of conformity?
Ask the seller whether the original is in the service folder. If not, request a duplicate from the manufacturer through its national importer, a franchised dealer or the brand's online service, giving the VIN and a copy of the registration certificate. Independent CoC services can order it for you for an extra fee.
What is a certificate of conformity?
It is the manufacturer's statement that a vehicle conforms to its EU-approved type, required by Regulation (EU) 2018/858. It contains the type-approval number, VIN and the main technical data that registration authorities need.
Is a certificate of conformity a legal requirement?
Manufacturers are legally obliged to issue one with every type-approved new vehicle. For re-registering a used car from another EU country, whether it is compulsory depends on national rules, but many authorities, including Germany's, ask for it.
How do I get a CoC for my car in Germany?
Contact the German importer of the brand or a franchised dealer, or use the manufacturer's CoC request service, with the VIN and the Zulassungsbescheinigung. Duplicates in Germany typically cost between about €60 and €200 depending on the brand.
What can I do if the car has no CoC?
If the manufacturer cannot issue one, you need an individual approval or a full technical report from an inspection body before registration. It costs more and takes longer, so for trade cars it is usually better to check CoC availability before buying.