Why do you need a certificate of conformity for your BMW?
If you bought your BMW in another European Union country, the BMW certificate of conformity is required to register it. It proves the vehicle conforms to the type approved by BMW at European level.
We obtain it from BMW and deliver it as a digital copy by e-mail, with the paper original by post on request.
BMW COC price and turnaround
| Price incl. VAT | 199 € |
|---|---|
| Average turnaround | 10 working days |
| Formats | Digital copy (PDF) by email & paper original by post |
| Vehicles | EU type-approved BMW cars and vans |
Indicative price confirmed after checking the chassis number (VIN).
BMW centralises its type-approval data and answers consistently, which makes the files predictable. The difficulty lies elsewhere: the brand splits every model into a very large number of power, drivetrain and trim variants.
Between a 3 Series sold in Austria and the same 3 Series sold in Belgium the commercial name is identical, but the type code may differ, and with it the values on the certificate. M models and M Performance packs add another layer: brakes, wheels and exhaust all change the approved figures. Rely on field D.2 of the foreign registration document and on the VIN, never on the model name alone.
The common case is a 3 Series or X3 bought in Germany or Austria, where the buyer sends us the model name but not the registration document. On a range this finely split, the name alone does not identify an approval file. We therefore always ask for the type code (field D.2) or, failing that, the full VIN. On M versions and cars fitted with M Performance packs we also check the tyre sizes and weights, often different from the base version bearing the same commercial name. One last point: a few BMWs on European roads were sold new in the United States. The VIN flags it, and we check before committing to anything.
A BMW certificate is usually issued by the manufacturer’s type-approval department, centrally for the whole of Europe.
Where to find the chassis number (VIN) on a BMW
A certificate covers one vehicle only, identified by its chassis number (VIN). The safest place to read it is field E of the foreign registration document. On a BMW, it also appears:
- at the base of the windscreen, driver’s side, readable from outside
- on the manufacturer’s plate on the driver’s door pillar
- on the suspension turret, in the engine bay
A VIN never contains the letters I, O or Q: mistaking one for a 1 or a 0 is enough to send the search astray.
Most frequently imported BMW models
The BMW vehicles we handle most often come from Germany, from Austria and from Belgium.
The requests we receive mostly concern:
- BMW Série 1
- BMW Série 3
- BMW Série 5
- BMW X1
- BMW X3
- BMW X5
- BMW i3
- BMW i4
The rest of the EU-approved BMW range is handled the same way.
What to watch out for on an imported BMW
Equipment specific to the country of sale
A BMW sold from Germany and from Austria does not always carry the same equipment or the same tyre sizes as elsewhere. The certificate reflects the vehicle’s actual configuration, not your local brochure.
Vehicle modified after leaving the factory
The certificate describes the BMW as it left the production line. Non-approved wheels, lowered suspension, tow bar, aftermarket exhaust: none of it appears on the document. The certificate stays valid, but it does not cover the modification — a common point on Série 1 and Série 3.
US-specification vehicle
A BMW sold new in the United States differs from the European version — lighting, indicators, emissions, instrumentation. It has no European certificate: the route is individual vehicle approval, not a COC.
BMW and the eCOC: what changes in 2026
Since 5 July 2026, BMW has been sending conformity data for its new vehicles to the approval authorities in eCOC format. Your used BMW is not affected: you need the ordinary COC, issued exactly as before. Paper and printouts of the eCOC remain accepted until 29 November 2026 at the latest. Understand the eCOC.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a BMW certificate of conformity cost?
The indicative price is 199 € for a BMW, confirmed after checking the VIN.
How long does it take for a BMW?
The average turnaround is 10 working days for a BMW.
Where is the chassis number on a BMW?
On a BMW, the VIN is usually readable at the base of the windscreen, driver’s side, readable from outside, on the manufacturer’s plate on the driver’s door pillar and on the suspension turret, in the engine bay. It is 17 characters long and never contains the letters I, O or Q.
Which BMW models do you handle?
The whole EU-approved BMW range. Most requests concern Série 1, Série 3, Série 5, X1 and X3; discontinued models are handled too, subject to the 10-year rule.
My BMW comes from Germany — does that change anything?
No. The certificate of conformity is a European document, valid in every Member State, and the procedure is the same whatever the country of origin.
Other brands in the group
BMW belongs to BMW Group, whose brands often share the same approval channel:
How to order?
- 1
You fill in the request
Brand, model and chassis number (VIN). A few minutes is enough, all online.
- 2
We check and quote
We confirm the required format (paper or eCOC), the exact price and the turnaround. You approve.
- 3
We obtain the certificate
We retrieve the COC from the manufacturer and check every detail.
- 4
You receive your COC
Delivery of the certificate, ready for your registration. A contact remains reachable.