As a motor vehicle manufacturer, Volkswagen must apply for an EC operating licence for every car. This is valid across the whole of the EU. In addition to the permit, the respective parts are given an E-test mark. A certificate is then generated as a result – the so-called CoC (Certificate of Conformity). This document verifies that the vehicle conforms with the EC operating licence (EC type approval) and can be approved for every country in the EU without the need for individual licences. These vehicles are equipped with an EC type plate in the form of a black sticker in the driver door area or, in older vehicles, in the engine compartment.
The CoC document is equally as important as the registration certificate: Therefore, the original document should not be kept in the car. The CoC document contains the EC type approval number and comprehensive technical information on the vehicle, such as its emissions classification and all permitted wheel/tyre combinations, as long as it refers to Genuine Parts rather than accessories wheels.