Certificate of Conformity: How to Obtain a CoC in the UK?

If you’re planning on driving in London’s Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) or Clean Air Zones (CAZ) in Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield, or Tyneside, you might need a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) to avoid fees and fines. But what is a Certificate of Conformity? What does it show? How do you obtain a duplicate CoC if it goes missing? Let’s answer all these questions in today’s blog post.  

What is a Vehicle’s Certificate of Conformity (CoC)?

A Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is a crucial document issued by the vehicle’s manufacturer. It verifies a vehicle’s compliance with EU regulations (environmental and safety standards) and enables its registration in the UK.

The DVLA requires a CoC to support the first registration of a new vehicle in the UK because the CoC will indicate if the vehicle is designed for left-hand drive traffic or not, ensuring suitability for UK roads. A CoC typically has the following details:

• Mass
• Dimensions
• Engine size
• Technical performance (fuel consumption, electric range)
• Manufacturer Details
• Date of manufacture
• Other vehicle details that aren’t shown on your V5 vehicle registration document

When Do You Need a Certificate of Conformity?

Here are the scenarios in which you might need a Certificate of Conformity:

• When exporting a vehicle from the UK to another country.
• To change the ownership of a vehicle when returning to the UK with a vehicle previously registered in the UK.
• When applying for a taxi or private hire driving licence.
• To prove compliance with Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), Clean Air Zone (CAZ), or Low Emission Zone (LEZ) standards.
• For registering a vehicle for a Congestion Charge discount or residential permit.

How to Obtain a Certificate of Conformity for Different Car Brands in the UK?

You must know that it is a legal requirement for the car supplier to provide a CoC document while delivering a new car. So, normally, you get it free of charge when purchasing a new vehicle.

However, when you’re buying a used car, you may need to request a duplicate CoC from the manufacturer, often for a fee. The cost to obtain a CoC may vary between manufacturers.

Post-Brexit, UK law adopted the EU Directive 2007/46/EC. This means manufacturers must supply duplicate CoCs upon request for up to 10 years following the vehicle’s production.

Here’s how you can apply for duplicate CoCs from popular car brands in the UK:

1. Toyota Certificate of Conformity

How to apply: Fill out the COC application form and send it to coc@toyota.co.uk.

Documents required: A full V5C logbook or proof that you are the vehicle’s registered keeper is required.

Fee: £75 (including VAT, administration costs and postage)

How long does it take to arrive: 5-7 days

Application Link: https://www.toyota.co.uk/content/dam/toyota/nmsc/united-kingdom/owners/vehicle-information/importing/toyota-coc-form-new-2023.pdf

2. Volkswagen CoC

How to apply: Simply request a duplicate CoC by emailing cocrequests@vwg.co.uk.

Documents required: Chassis number, REG number, full name, and address on which the CoC will be posted.

Fee: Not specified

How long does it take to arrive: A few days to a couple of weeks

Application Link: https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/owners-and-services/my-car/importing-and-exporting-a-vehicle.html

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3. Suzuki Certificate of Conformity

How to apply: Fill out the application form and return it to the Suzuki Customer Services Team as per the instructions included.

Documents required: Vehicle registration number

Fee: £95 (inclusive of VAT)

How long does it take to arrive: Up to 25 business days

Application Link: https://media.umbraco.io/suzuki-gb/j3vdefl5/coc-application.pdf

4. Ford CoC

How to apply: Email coc@forddac.co.uk a blank email. You will receive an email back with all the instructions on how to obtain the CoC.

Documents required: Your name, a full postal address, and your daytime contact number.

Fee: No fee

How long does it take to arrive: Up to 6 business days

Application Link: No application is required

5. Mini Certificate of Conformity

How to apply: Simply request a duplicate CoC by emailing eccoc@bmw.co.uk.

Documents required: REG number, chassis number, and technical information regarding a non-UK vehicle.

Fee: £100 for non-UK registered vehicles, free for UK registered vehicles

How long does it take to arrive: Up to 10 business days

Application Link: No application is required

6. Mazda CoC

How to apply: Email mmukassistance@mazdaeur.com with a reason for the request, and if the vehicle is being exported, specify the country.

Documents required: Your address, email and phone number, and a scanned or photograph copy of the V5c (Vehicle Logbook).

Fee: £85 (inclusive of VAT)

How long does it take to arrive: Up to 10 business days

Application Link: No application is required

7. BMW Certificate of Conformity

How to apply: To get a CoC for any car of the BMW brand, simply request a duplicate CoC by emailing eccoc@bmw.co.uk.

Documents required: REG number, chassis number, and technical information regarding a non-UK vehicle.

Fee: £100 for non-UK registered vehicles, free for UK registered vehicles

How long does it take to arrive: A few days to a couple of weeks.

Application Link: No application is required

8. Dacia CoC

How to apply: Fill out the online application form for a certificate of conformity.

Documents required: Vehicle registration number, scanned copy of the V5C log book, driving licence, a recent utility bill, bill of sale, and photograph of the VIN plate.

Fee: Free of Charge for UK specification vehicles and up to £100 for non-UK vehicles.

How long does it take to arrive: For UK specification vehicles up to 7 working days, and for non-UK vehicles, the COC will take 6 weeks to process.

Application Link: https://shop.dacia.co.uk/certificate-of-conformity/

9. Vauxhall Certificate of Conformity

How to apply: Apply through the PSA Group website. Fill in an online form, pay the required fees, and receive the duplicate CoC.

Documents required: Personal details like name and address and vehicle details like REG and VIN number.

Fee: £195 (inclusive of VAT)

How long does it take to arrive: Not specified

Application Link: https://coc.psa-peugeot-citroen.com/en/form-customer/

10. Skoda CoC

How to apply: Simply request a duplicate CoC by emailing at cocrequests@vwg.co.uk.

Documents required: REG number, Full name, Address (CoC will be posted to this address), Chassis number, and make.

Fee: Not specified

How long does it take to arrive: Up to 5 business days

Application Link: No application is required

11. Mercedes-Benz Certificate of Conformity

How to apply: Apply through the Mercedes-Benz UK website: https://homologation.mercedes-benz.com/

Documents required: A copy of your Passport or Driving Licence or ID card, and MOT or Insurance Certificate showing the chassis number.

Fee: £144 (inclusive of VAT)

How long does it take to arrive: For most models, it’ll take up to 21 working days, while for others, it can take up to 8 weeks.

Application Link: https://homologation.mercedes-benz.com/

12. Land Rover CoC

How to apply: Apply for a duplicate COC online on the Land Rover site: www.landrover.co.uk

Documents required: Vehicle registration number, VIN number, and personal details.

Fee: £159 (inclusive of VAT)

How long does it take to arrive: Not specified

Application Link: No application is required

13. Alfa Romeo Certificate of Conformity

How to apply: Contact Alfa Romeo via email: ukcocrequests@stellantis.com. Clearly mention in the mail that you need a duplicate CoC.

Documents required: Your name, full postal address, daytime contact number, scanned copy of the V5C, or other proof of ownership with a photograph of the VIN plate.

Fee: £120 (inclusive of VAT)

How long does it take to arrive: Up to 18 business days

Application Link: No application is required

14. Fiat CoC

How to apply: Apply through the Fiat UK website: https://www.fiat.co.uk/owners/import-export

Documents required: Your name, a full postal address, your daytime contact number, a scanned copy of the V5C or other proof of ownership, and a photograph of the VIN plate.

Fee: £120 (inclusive of VAT)

How long does it take to arrive: Up to 15 business days.

Application Link: No application is required

15. Audi Certificate of Conformity

How to apply: Simply request a duplicate CoC by emailing cocrequests@vwg.co.uk.

Documents required: VIN number, full name, Address (CoC will be posted to this address), Make, and Registration Number

Fee: Not specified

How long does it take to arrive: A few days to a couple of weeks.

Application Link: https://www.audi.co.uk/en/assistance/imports-and-exports/

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16. Lexus CoC

How to apply: Fill out the COC application form and send it to coc@toyota.co.uk.

Documents required: Full V5C log book or proof that you are the vehicle’s registered keeper

Fee: £75 (including VAT, administration costs and postage)

How long does it take to arrive: 5-7 days

Application Link: https://www.toyota.co.uk/content/dam/toyota/nmsc/united-kingdom/owners/vehicle-information/importing/toyota-coc-form-new-2023.pdf

17. Jaguar Certificate of Conformity

How to apply: Contact Jaguar UK Customer Relations.

Documents required: Vehicle registration number and personal details.

Fee: £195 (inclusive of VAT)

How long does it take to arrive: Up to 8 business days

Application Link: Not specified

18. Peugeot CoC

How to apply: To get a CoC for a Peugeot car, Apply through the PSA Group website. Fill in an online form, pay the required fees, and receive the duplicate CoC.

Documents required: Personal details like name and address and vehicle details like REG.

Fee: £195 (inclusive of VAT)

How long does it take to arrive: Not specified

Application Link: https://coc.psa-peugeot-citroen.com/en/form-customer/

19. Volvo Certificate of Conformity

How to apply: Contact Volvo UK via their official website and make a request: https://www.volvocars.com/uk/

Documents required: REG number, personal details, car’s model type, and chassis number.

Fee: £185 (inclusive of VAT)

How long does it take to arrive: Up to 7 working days

Application Link: No application is required

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20. Honda CoC

How to apply: Contact Honda UK via their official website: https://www.honda.co.uk/

Documents required: Vehicle registration number, chassis number, and personal details.

Fee: £150 (inclusive of VAT)

How long does it take to arrive: Up to 6 business days

Application Link: No application is required

Wrapping Up: How to Obtain a Vehicle’s Certificate of Conformity (CoC) in the UK?

While you typically receive a Certificate of Conformity for free with a new car, you might need a duplicate for selling a car if you lose the original or buy a used vehicle. Luckily, most manufacturers offer replacements for a fee, typically within 10 years of the vehicle’s production.

The process and fees vary by brand. So, we’ve compiled a list of popular car brands and how to request a duplicate CoC. With a CoC in hand, you can navigate LEZs with confidence. Now you know what a CoC is, when you might need it, and how to get one.