Certificate of conformity by make Škoda
Škoda is assembled in the Czech Republic and sold in volume in Germany, which is where most of the Octavia and Superb models we handle come from. These are high-mileage vehicles, often former company cars, and the certificate rarely follows the car as far as the second owner.
Two details come up regularly. First the Combi version: on some markets it was sold in commercial configuration, two seats and a flat floor, and the certificate then shows an N1 category that takes the buyer by surprise. Then age: many third-generation Octavias are now passing the ten-year mark, beyond which the manufacturer is no longer obliged to issue a duplicate. We check that before invoicing you.
The usual scenario is a high-mileage German Octavia Combi, a former company car, bought by a private buyer who discovers at the registration desk that the certificate is missing. The professional seller did not have one either: he bought the batch from a leasing company. On a Škoda our first check concerns the Combi configuration. On some markets it was sold as a two-seat commercial version, with a bulkhead and a flat floor, and the certificate then shows an N1 category that changes both the tax treatment and the number of seats at registration. The second check is the date of manufacture, not to be confused with the date of first registration: it is the former that starts the ten-year clock.
A Škoda certificate is usually issued by the group type-approval department, shared across sister brands.
Where to find the chassis number (VIN) on a Škoda
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 Škoda, 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
- under a floor flap on the front passenger side
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 Škoda models
The Škoda vehicles we handle most often come from Germany, from the Czech Republic and from Poland.
The requests we receive mostly concern:
- Škoda Octavia
- Škoda Fabia
- Škoda Superb
- Škoda Kodiaq
- Škoda Karoq
- Škoda Kamiq
- Škoda Enyaq
The rest of the EU-approved Škoda range is handled the same way.
Škoda and the eCOC: what changes in 2026
Since 5 July 2026, Škoda has been sending conformity data for its new vehicles to the approval authorities in eCOC format. Your used Škoda 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.
Watch-outs for an imported Škoda
“Company” derivative or car-derived van
Some Škoda vehicles were sold as stripped-out commercial versions for local tax reasons, notably from Germany and from the Czech Republic. The certificate then shows category N1 and a reduced number of seats, which cannot be freely converted back.
Vehicle more than 10 years old
Article 36 of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 only requires the manufacturer to supply a duplicate for 10 years after the date of manufacture. Beyond that it is at their discretion. We check availability before invoicing anything, particularly on older Škoda Octavia and Fabia.
Different name depending on the country
Your foreign registration document may name the Škoda under a commercial name you do not recognise, or under a type designation. Rely on the VIN and the type code (field D.2), never on the marketing name.
Škoda models
These models come up most often in our files. The certificate is obtained the same way for the rest of the EU type-approved range.
Frequently asked questions
Other makes in the Volkswagen Group group
Škoda belongs to the Volkswagen Group group. These makes follow similar type-approval procedures, often with comparable lead times.