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    What is a Certificate of Conformity (CoC)?

    Last updated: 28th September 2023

    Do you need to prove that your car is compliant with London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) regulations? If so, the answer could be obtaining a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from your vehicle manufacturer. 

    With a CoC, you’ll be able to verify that your vehicle meets the requirements of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) – and the UK’s growing number of other Low Emission Zones (LEZs).

    You can check if your car is compliant with our ULEZ checker. Just enter your reg to find out if your vehicle meets the emissions standards regulated in London’s ULEZ. However, even if your car is compliant, in some cases, Transport for London, and other regulatory bodies, may issue a fine in error for your car or van – and, to have the fine overturned, you will need to provide proof that it meets the exemption rules. 

    One way to do this is by applying for a Certificate of Conformity. To learn more about what this document means for your vehicle, read on.

    Need to check your car’s ULEZ status?
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    What is a Certificate of Conformity?

    A Certificate of Conformity is a paper document issued by your vehicle manufacturer providing evidence that it complies with European regulations including environmental and safety standards. In Clean Air Zones and Low Emission Zones, ­Euro 4 is normally the petrol standard and Euro 6 the diesel standard. 

    When you obtain a CoC for your vehicle, you can use it to provide documentary evidence that it complies with all relevant regulations and is legally allowed to drive in the ULEZ – and any other LEZs or CAZs.  

    Having an up-to-date Certificate of Conformity offers a number of benefits to drivers. Not only will it give you peace of mind knowing that your car is meeting current standards for clean air transportation, but you’ll also avoid potentially hefty fines for driving within ULEZ or other CAZs and LEZs without the necessary certification.

    Why do you need a Certificate of Conformity?

    As well as helping you prove that your vehicle is ULEZ compliant, there are a number of other reasons why requesting a Certificate of Conformity might be important. Circumstances where a CoC is required include:

    • You want to register a vehicle for a Congestion Charge discount or residential permit
    • You’re exporting your vehicle
    • You’re returning to the UK from abroad with a vehicle that was previously registered in the UK
    • You want to import your vehicle from the Channel Islands or Northern Ireland
    • You want to apply for a taxi or private hire driving licence

    If you are applying to use your car or van as a taxi, or you’re applying for a private-hire driving licence, it will be your own responsibility to confirm what documentation is required with the Public Carriage Office (PCO) department of Transport for London. This could be either a CoC or a letter from the manufacturer confirming the Euro emissions standard of the vehicle, if the standard is not listed in your V5C logbook.

    We advise owners not to book an inspection with the PCO until the necessary documents have been obtained.

    Your car’s emissions standard stated on your CoC will be accepted by ULEZ, and any other CAZ or LEZ.

    Applying for a Certificate of Conformity

    A Certificate of Conformity is normally provided for free when you purchase a new vehicle. You will find the documentation in the glove compartment of your new vehicle.

    However, if you’ve purchased a used vehicle and want to request a copy of a CoC that was not passed on by the previous owner, you will usually have to pay for this.

    Applying for a Certificate of Conformity should be relatively straightforward. You can either apply online via an accredited registrar or contact the manufacturer directly if they offer this service.

    In most cases, you’ll need to provide your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), engine type/size, details about any modifications since its manufacture date, and proof of ownership.

    How do you get a Certificate of Conformity?

    The following car manufacturers provide Certificates of Conformity:

    Citroën:

    To get a duplicate CoC for any Stellantis vehicle, including Citroën, you will need to fill out the form on their website. After entering details about your car or van, you will need to make a payment of £195 (inclusive of VAT). 

    Ford:

    For passenger vehicles, Ford can supply a Certificate of Conformity for all cars built after 1997. You will simply need to contact them via their dedicated email address and supply them with your car’s 17-digit VIN, a copy of your V5C document, and an image of the vehicle’s VIN plate showing the number. Unusually, there is no charge for this.

    For commercial vehicles, Ford only supplies a Certificate of Conformity for vehicles built after September 2011.

    Ford Certificate of Conformity
    Ford are one of the only car brands to not charge for supplying a CoC.

    Fiat:

    With Fiat, you need to go to their commercial website and request the Certificate of Conformity. You will need to provide your name, a full postal address, and your daytime contact number. A scanned copy of the registration documentation – or other proof of ownership – will also need to be submitted, along with a photograph of the VIN plate.

    Once you have provided this info, Fiat will provide you with payment details. The company does not accept credit/debit cards or cheques. A Certificate of Conformity for a Fiat costs £120.00 (inclusive of VAT).

    Hyundai:

    To get a Certificate of Conformity for a Hyundai vehicle, you will need to fill out a form on the company’s corporate website, adding in your car’s model type and chassis number.

    It is expensive, however. To get a Hyundai CoC, it will cost you £238.00 (inclusive of VAT).

    Mercedes:

    To request a CoC with Mercedes-Benz, you will need to go to their website and complete an online request form.  The cost of a Certificate of Conformity is £144 (inclusive of VAT). 

    Mercedes-Benz aims to process all CoC requests within 21 working days.

    Mercedes certificate of conformity
    Like most brands, Mercedes require you to complete a request form before providing a CoC.

    MINI:

    A Certificate of Conformity is available to customers free of charge for MINI vehicles registered in the UK. For vehicles not registered in the UK, a certificate can be applied for via MINI’s UK website – at a cost of £100 (inclusive of VAT).

    Nissan:

    A Certificate of Conformity for a Nissan vehicle can be applied for via their website, you will need to fill out a form on the company’s corporate website, adding in your car’s model type and chassis number.

    It is pricey, though. To get a Nissan CoC, it will set you back £265.50 (inclusive of VAT).

    Peugeot:

    To get a Certificate of Conformity for any Stellantis vehicle, including Peugeot, you will need to fill out the form on their website. After entering details about your car or van, you will need to make a payment of £195 (inclusive of VAT). 

    Peugeot certificate of conformity
    All Stellantis owned brands use the same website for the issuing of compliance documents.

    Renault:

    For UK-spec vehicles, a Certificate of Conformity is typically provided free of charge from Renault – within seven working days. For non-UK vehicles, the COC will take six weeks to process – and will cost £100/€125 (the latter cost may be dependent on the exchange rate on the date of processing.)

    To request a CoC for a Renault vehicle, you can do so via their online application form. As part of your application, you will need to provide a copy of your V5C document, proof of ownership for your vehicle, a copy of your driving licence, a recent utility bill, the Bill of Sale for the vehicle, and a clear photo of the VIN plate showing the vehicle weights.

    Toyota:

    If you purchased a new or used vehicle from an official Toyota Centre, you can request a copy of the CoC for free. Otherwise, you will be charged £75.00 (inclusive of VAT, administration costs, and postage) for the certificate.

    Vauxhall:

    To get a Certificate of Conformity for any Stellantis vehicle, including a Vauxhall, you will need to fill out the form on their website. After entering details about your car or van, you will need to make a payment of £195 (inclusive of VAT). 

    Volvo:

    A Certificate of Conformity for a Volvo can be applied for via their website. You can fill out the form on the company’s corporate website, adding in your car’s model type and chassis number.

    To get a Volvo CoC, it will set you back £185 (inclusive of VAT).

    Other car manufacturers

    If you don’t see your vehicle manufacturer listed above, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they don’t offer a Certificate of Conformity – so, it is worth contacting them directly and enquiring.

    If they are unable to provide you with a CoC, you can request that they provide you with the details of an accredited registrar to provide the certificate instead.

    Sell your car the Motorway way

    If purchasing a potentially costly Certificate of Conformity doesn’t sound appealing, to avoid uncertainty around ULEZ/LEZ compliance, it might be quicker and easier to sell your vehicle and purchase a newer model. To do this quickly and easily, do it the Motorway way.

    Motorway offers a simple – and completely free – method of getting the best price when selling your car, whatever the model.

    Just enter your reg on the homepage and you will be provided with an instant estimated sale price based on up-to-the-minute market data. We’ll then ask you a few easy questions about your car and guide you through the photos you need to take to complete your vehicle profile. It can be done right from your phone – in a matter of minutes.

    Get your car in front of 5,000+ verified car dealers when you sell with Motorway

    If you choose to enter your car into a daily sale, it will be shown to our nationwide network of more than 5,000 verified dealers looking to add to their stock of used cars. Interested dealers will then compete to buy your car, offering you their best price.

    In as little as 24 hours you will receive your best offer – and, if you choose to go ahead with the sale, your car will be collected for free by the dealer and the money will be quickly and securely transferred to your bank account.

    Selling your car?

    Read about everything you need to know about how to sell your car with more guides here. There’s a lot to learn as Clean Air Zones and emissions standards in the UK change in the run-up to 2035.

    Sell your car the Motorway way

    Find your best offer from 5,000+ dealers