Certificate of Conformity

The Certificate of Conformity is issued only for vehicles that have received EC type-approval and permits the registration of a new vehicle and imported used vehicle. The European Certificate of Conformity is a summary document validating the compliance of a vehicle with Directive 92/53 with its EC type-approval.

All technical data of the vehicle are indicated on the document which allows to quickly register an imported vehicle and therefore to make the final registration. Only vehicles manufactured for the European market can receive the European Certificate of Conformity. On the other hand, for vehicles manufactured for the Asian, African or American market but also old or collection vehicles, can not be subject to the European type approval regulations and therefore do not have a Certificate of Conformity.

When requesting a change of ownership and application for registration, the document is requested by the prefecture to constitute your file. It helps to prove the conformity of your vehicle with the European standards and in general is registered in the language of the mark of your vehicle. The Certificate of Conformity is established in French for French brand vehicles such as Peugeot, Citroën or Renault. In English for Land Rover or Jaguar, in German for Audi or Vw or in Italian for Fiat or Alfa.

Euro-Comformity to set up a Certificate of Compliance Ordering Site, offering the possibility of getting your COC in a few clicks. With its partnership with the online registration application site, it offers you a quality service and simplifies your registration process. Present in France but also in European countries, it is the French pioneer of the European Certificate of Conformity for all global brands such as Porsche, Bmw, Mini, Seat, Jaguar, Land Rover, Toyota, Opel, Skoda, Kia and many others. still others!

How to get an EC certificate of conformity (COC certificate) ?

There are 2 main ways of getting a European certificate of conformity for your vehicle:

• Via the manufacturer (most common method, usually cheaper)
• Via a specialized company (sometimes faster, but usually more expensive)

Most brands charge the issuance of an euro COC certificate. The cost depends on the manufacturer. It can be EUR 100, 200, sometimes more… There is no standard request form.
 

It is also possible to request this document online via third parties. Beware of scams though. Here are the steps to follow if you wish to request a certificate of conformity through one of those companies:

• Choose a site (carefully and by checking reviews to avoid unpleasant surprises)
• Provide your vehicle’s VIN number (17 digits on a label inside the vehicle or in the original purchase invoice)
• Present a copy of the vehicle registration document if available
• Provide your postal address
• Give your full contact details
• Pay for the service by credit card or bank transfer

Do we need a certificate of conformity for a motorcycle?

The certificate of conformity is essential for registration of a foreign bike (Harley Davidson…) in France, even for two-wheelers put into circulation before July 1, 2004 (according to a directive of April 15, 2009). If the motorcycle already has an SIV registration, the registration number will be retained.

Should I get my vehicle certificate of conformity in the UK, in France?

It doesn’t matter. You can request the certificate of conformity anywhere in Europe. The COC will be valid in France, irrespective of the issuing country or the language.

Why do I need a European certificate of conformity for a car?

The European certificate of conformity is mandatory to register any new vehicle, or imported into a member country of the European Union. In addition, having it in your possession allows you to resell easily a used vehicle abroad, because it certifies that the vehicle in question meets European requirements in terms of safety and environmental protection.

Who should request the EC certificate of conformity?

Whether buyer or seller, anyone can request a European certificate of conformity. For the seller, having this document will give the buyer confidence and facilitate the delicate task of registering his future vehicle. The buyer can request this certificate to the seller upon purchase of the vehicle, to avoid the hassle and cost associated with the procurement of this certificate.

Vehicle certificate of conformity: free? What price might I pay?

Sometimes a vehicle certificate of conformity is free. But it is very rare when you want a copy (it must be handed over when buying a new car). This is a matter of manufacturer policy. And they overwhelmingly charge customers requiring an e-COC. If there is no free certificate of conformity, what is the price of such a document? Again, it’s the car brand that sets a price. BMW, Nissan, Toyota, Audi, Mercedes, Kia… They all charge a different amount. It can range from €100 to €300. For example (April 2023 prices published by manufacturers on their respective website):

• BMW certificate of conformity : in UK £100, €170 in France
• Mercedes COC: £144 in the UK, €200 in France
• Peugeot, Vauxhall, Citroën, Opel : around £194 in the UK, €220 in France

As you can see, the price of the car is not correlated to the price of the COC. A BMW COC is way cheaper than a Vauxhall certificate!

Pay attention to deadlines

If you are not in possession of the certificate of conformity (Europe) for your vehicle, you must request it from the car manufacturer very quickly. You can get a temporary WW registration (4 months) without it, but the more you wait, the more the final registration will be postponed. Bear in mind that the final registration process can take weeks. As usual, the sooner, the better.

What to do if it is impossible to obtain a European certificate of conformity?

When importing a vehicle, it is quite possible that the CE certificate of conformity is missing. If this is the case, you will have to request an e-COC copy from the car manufacturer or from one of its authorized dealers. If applicable, an identification certificate might be required. It should be noted that this process is chargeable.

• Import a classic car to France

Your vehicle can be non compliant. It will be the case if imported from Japan or the States. In that case, you will have to present the vehicle to the DREAL. It will perform what is called a “reception à titre isolé”, which is the equivalent of the individual approval procedure. If the vehicle is found compliant, an RTI certificate will be issued, and it will authorize the registration of the car. If not, some changes might be mandatory before the approval is granted.