Is a technical inspection required for registration in the ... · Is a technical inspection required for registration in the consumer’s country of residence? No. Yes, the consumer

During purchase

81 // Back to contents Cross-border car purchase within the EU

Is a technical inspection required for registration in the consumer’s country

of residence?

No.

Yes, the consumer has to provide a technical inspection certi�cate

technical inspection required

A BelgianconsumerpurchasedacarintheNetherlandsbutthecardidn’tpasstheBelgiantechnicalinspectioneventhoughthetraderclaimedthatithadpassedtheDutchinspection.Theconsumerhasn’tbeenabletousethecarsince.

During purchase


To register a car, a consumer has to show that a technical inspection has been perfor-med in 19 Member States.

Austria Yes,theconsumerhastohavea“§57aKFG”confirmation,whichprovesthatthecarisroadworthy.

Belgium Yes,theconsumerhastoprovideatechnicalinspectioncertificateforsecond-handcars.

Bulgaria

WhenregisteringacarinBulgariaforthefirsttime,ifitisnotanewcar,theTrafficPolicewillcarryoutatechnicalinspectionwhichisvalidforoneyear.Theinspectionispartoftheregistrationprocessandisperformedatthesameplace.

Croatia Yes

Cyprus

Yes.Oncethevehiclepassesthetechnicalinspection,anumberofdocumentsplusaDepartmentofRoadTransport(DoRT)certificateandaninsurancecertificateshouldbetakentotheDoRTVehicleExaminationCentreforregistration.

Czech Republic Yes

Denmark No.However,ifyoucannotprovideproofthatthecarhaspassedatechnicalinspection,itwillbenecessarytoperformone.

Estonia No

Finland Yes

FranceYes,astheconsumerhastopresentacertificateofroadworthinessissuedwithintheprevious6monthswhenregisteringacarolderthan4yearsofage.Thiscertificateisissuedafteratechnicalinspection(“contrôletechnique”).

Germany Yes,theconsumerhastoshowavalidroadworthinesscertificateifthecarisolderthan3years.

Greece Yes.Forsecond-handcarsonly,theconsumerneedstoshowproofthatthecarhaspassedaroadworthinesstest.

During purchase


Hungary Thecarshouldbecheckedbythenationalinspectionservice.

Ireland

Since2002,allcarsover4yearsofage,withafewexceptions,mustpasstheNationalCarTest(NCT)toensurethattheyaresafeandroadworthy.AftertheinitialNCT,whichtakesplacewhenthevehiclereaches4yearsofage,theyneedtobetestedevery2years.Carsover10yearsofagemustbetestedannually.ConsumersshouldensurethatanyusedcarthattheybuyhaspassedtheNCTandhasavalidcertificatetoproveit.Atthetestcentre,thevehicleisexaminedtoensureithasthevariouscharacteristicsdescribedintheaccompanyingdocumentation,forexample,vehicleidentificationnumber(VIN),registrationnumber(inthecaseofausedvehicle),make,modelandvariant,enginesize,numberofdoors,etc..Iftherequisitedocumentationisnotavailableatthetimeoftheexaminationorthevehicle’scharacteristicsdonotmatchwiththosegiveninthedocumentation,thevehiclewillnotberegisteredandare-testfeewillbepayableonreturnwithrelevantdocumentation.

Italy Yes

Latvia

FornewvehicleswhichwerenotpreviouslyregisteredinLatviaorabroad,thefirsttechnicalinspectionhastobeperformednolaterthan24monthsaftertheyarefirstregisteredinLatvia.Furtherperiodictechnicalinspectionsshallbeperformedeachyearinaccordancewiththetimeperiodindicatedinthepermitforparticipationinroadtraffic.

Lithuania Yes

Luxem-burg Yes,forsecond-handcars.

Malta Yes

Nether-lands

Yes.Theconsumerneedstoprovethattherequiredperiodicvehicleinspectionhasbeencarriedout.

Norway No,aslongasaEuropeanCertificateofConformity(COC)isprovided.

Poland No,butunderPolishlaw,passengercarsmustbeinspectedonceayear.

Portugal Yes,unlessitisanewcarwithaCOC.

Romania Yes

Slovakia Yes

Slovenia Yes

During purchase


Spain Yes,ifthecarisolderthan4yearsofage.

SwedenAtechnicalinspectionisperformedaspartoftheregistrationprocess(https://www.transportstyrelsen.se/sv/vagtrafik/Fordon/Fordonsimport-och-ursprungskontroll/Fordonsimport-fran-borjan-till-slut/).

United Kingdom Yes

https://www.transportstyrelsen.se/sv/vagtrafik/Fordon/Fordonsimport-och-ursprungskontroll/Fordonsimport-fran-borjan-till-slut/https://www.transportstyrelsen.se/sv/vagtrafik/Fordon/Fordonsimport-och-ursprungskontroll/Fordonsimport-fran-borjan-till-slut/https://www.transportstyrelsen.se/sv/vagtrafik/Fordon/Fordonsimport-och-ursprungskontroll/Fordonsimport-fran-borjan-till-slut/

During purchase


Is a technical inspection carried out in the country of purchase recognised in the

country of registration?

No.

Yes, the valid technical inspection of the country of purchase is recognised

foreign valid technical inspection recognised

Unknown

During purchase


Whereasin19MemberStatesatechnicalinspectioncertificateismandatoryforregisteringacarpurchasedabroad,only10acceptinspectionsperformedabroad.Consumersshouldcheckinadvancewiththeirnationalauthoritytoavoidunnecessarycosts.Forfurtherinformation,seealsothecountry fact sheets on registration.

Itneedstobementionedthatinitsextensivecaselaw(e.g.C-297/05,C-170/07,C-150/11),theEuropeanCourtofJusticehasconcludedthatgeneralandsystematictestingcarriedoutinadditiontoroadworthinesstestsrecentlycarriedoutinotherMemberStates,theresultsofwhicharenotrecognised,constitutesarestrictiononthefreemovementofgoods.

AustriaAvalidforeignvehicleinspectioncertificateisrecognisedinAustriaifthecarhasaCOC.IfitisnotinGermanorEnglish,theconsumerhastoprovideatranslation.IfthecardoesnothaveaCOC,anationalinspectionisobligatoryinordertoregisterit.

Belgium

AvalidforeignvehicleinspectioncertificateisrecognisedinBelgiumiftheforeigntechnicalinspectionhasbeenperformedintheEUwithinthe2monthspriortoregistration.However,asimplifiedinspection(“controlevisuel/visuelekeuring”)isrequired.Iftheforeigninspectiontookplacemorethan2monthsbeforeregistration,acompletetechnicalinspectionisrequired.Formoreinformation,visithttp://www.goca.be/fr/p/ct-vp-controle-occasion(see“Etape/Stap2”).

Bulgaria Informationisnotavailableonthispoint.

Croatia ForeigntechnicalinspectioncertificatesarenotrecognizedinCroatia.

Cyprus

AvalidforeignvehicleinspectioncertificateisrecognisedinCyprusifthecarhasavalidCOC.Nationalauthoritiescannotrequestanyadditionaltechnicaldocumentationunlessthecarhasbeenmodifiedsinceleavingthefactory,inwhichcasetheycanorderthatitundergoafreshapprovalprocedure.

Czech Republic

Foreigntechnicalinspectioncertificatesarenotrecognised.Theconsumerneedstohaveanationalinspectioncarriedout.

Denmark Informationisnotavailableonthispoint.

Estonia Informationisnotavailableonthispoint.

http://www.europe-consommateurs.eu/en/consumer-topics/on-the-road/buying-a-car/cross-border-car-purchase-and-registration/http://www.goca.be/fr/p/ct-vp-controle-occasion

During purchase


Finland

Foreigntechnicalinspectioncertificatesarenotrecognised.AFinnishinspectionisrequired.Iftheforeigninspectiontakesplacewithinthe6monthsbeforethevehicleisimported,theinspectionmightnothavesuchastrongfocusontechnicalissues.

France

AsofMay12014,atechnicalinspectionundertakeninanotherMemberStateisacceptedforregistrationinFrance*.Inpractice,ECCFrancehasreceivedinformationrequestsfromconsumerswhohavehadinspectioncertificatesfromotherMemberStatesrefusedbytheFrenchauthorities.ECCFrancewasinformedthattheMinistryoftheInteriorhasestablishedanon-exhaustivelistoftypesoftechnicalinspectionperformedinotherEUcountries.Ifindoubt,thelocaladministration(Prefecture)sendsarequesttoaspecificservicewithintheMinistrytovalidateanewtypenotyetonthelist.

* arrêtédu19décembre2013modifiantl‘arrêtédu9février2009

Germany

AvalidforeignvehicleinspectioncertificateshouldberecognisedinGermany,butatranslationmaybenecessary.Also,aforeigninspectioncertificateisonlyrecognisedifitwouldstillbevalidifitwereaGermancertificate.InGermany,atechnicalinspectionisobligatoryevery24months.Aforeigntechnicalinspectioncertificatecan’tbeolderthanthat*

* § 7 Abs. 1 FZV.

Greece Informationisnotavailableonthispoint.

Hungary

AvalidforeignvehicleinspectioncertificateisrecognisedinHungary,butatechnicalsurveyisperformedduringwhichtheHungarianauthoritiesrecordthedetailsintheforeigndocuments.Aninspectionisonlynecessaryifthebuyerwantsthevalidityoftheforeigncertificatetobeextended.ItshouldbenotedthatthedurationofthisvaliditycannotexceedthetimeframeforperiodicinspectionsinHungary.

Ireland Foreigntechnicalinspectioncertificatesarenotrecognised.ThevehicleneedstopasstheNCTinordertoberegisteredinIreland.

Italy AvalidforeigninspectioncertificateisrecognisedinItaly.

Latvia Informationisnotavailableonthispoint.

Lithuania Foreigntechnicalinspectioncertificatesarenotrecognised.Anationalinspectionmustbeperformed.

https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000028379806&dateTexte=&categorieLien=id

During purchase


Luxem-burg

Foreigntechnicalinspectioncertificatesarenotrecognised.ThecarmustundergoaLuxembourginspectionbeforeregistrationattheNationalSocietyofAutomotiveTraffic(SNCA).

Malta Foreigntechnicalinspectioncertificatesarenotrecognised.Anationalinspectionisnecessaryforregistration.

Nether-lands AvalidforeignvehicleinspectioncertificateisrecognisedintheNetherlands.

Norway AvalidforeignvehicleinspectioncertificateisrecognisedinNorway.

Poland Informationisnotavailableonthispoint.

PortugalInthecaseofanewcar,onlytheCOCisrequired.Forsecond-handcarswithnoCOC,theconsumerneedstohaveanationalinspectionperformedbeforeregisteringthecar.

Romania Foreigntechnicalinspectioncertificatesarenotrecognised.

Slovakia Foreigntechnicalinspectioncertificatesarenotrecognised.

Slovenia Avalidforeignvehicleinspectioncertificateisrecognised.

Spain Foreigntechnicalinspectioncertificatesarenotrecognised.Theconsumerneedstohaveanationalinspectionperformedbeforeregisteringthecar.

Sweden

Foreigntechnicalinspectioncertificatesarenotrecognised.Iftheconsumerhasavalidforeignregistrationcertificateandvalidforeigninsurance,he/shemaydrivethevehicleforamaximumof7daysfromthedateonwhichthevehicleentersthecountry.

United Kingdom

Foreigntechnicalinspectioncertificatesarenotrecognised.ThecarwillneedtoundergoatechnicalinspectionbyanapprovedMOTtesterbeforeitcanberegisteredandinsured.

During purchase


Checks on the seller’s premises

Astechnicalinspectionsonlygiveanoverallindicationofroadworthiness,ECCsgenerallyadviseconsumers,atleastforsecond-handcars,tocarefullycheckthecar’scondition.Withtheseller’sagreement,acheckbyanexternal inspectormaybeorganised,attheconsumer’sexpense.However,thistypeofcheckcanaffecttheliabilityoftheparties;theseller’sdutyofdisclosuremaybereducediftheconsumerisaccompaniedbyaprofessionalandtheconsumer’sdutytoinspectmaybeincreased.

Also,itmaynotalwaysbeeasytofindatrustworthyexpertinanothercountryasnotallcountrieshaveofficiallists.

A MalteseconsumeraskedaUKcompany to inspectacar fromaUKdealerpriortopurchasingit.Theconsumerwasinformedbythecompanythattheinspectionwasdoneandthatallwasfineexceptfor one scratch,multiple chips and a dent. The consumer acceptedtheseminordefectsandpurchasedthecar.Upondeliveryofthecar,theconsumernoticedthatthefrontbumper,theheadlightsandthebonnetlookedasthoughtheyhadbeensandblastedwithsmallstones.Theconsumerarguedthattheinspectordidnotinformhimofallofthedefects.Thecompanyrejectedtheconsumer’sclaimastheymentionedin the report that thedamagewas thereand the carwouldbenefitfromrepairstoimproveitsappearance.

During purchase


On-siteinspectionsmaybeprovidedbyindependentexpertsortechnicalinspectionservices,butconsumerswillusuallyhavetofindamechanic,technicianorcarrepairservice.Thefollowingoptionsareavailabletoconsumers:

Consumerorganisation:Denmark(FDM) Automobileclubs:Denmark,Germany,Netherlands(151),Austria,Slovenia Independentexperts:CzechRepublic(152),Germany,Greece,France(153),Croatia,Cyprus,Latvia(154),

Lithuania,Luxembourg(155),Austria,Romania,Slovakia(156),Sweden(157)

Mechanics and repair centres: Belgium, Bulgaria(158), Cyprus(159), France,Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,Malta,Norway,Portugal,Slovakia,Spain,Sweden

Specialvehicleservicingexperts(privateinspectioncentres):Hungary(160) Officialrepresentationofthecarbrand:Estonia Technicalinspectionservice:Germany,Estonia(161),Lithuania,Poland,Portugal,Sweden Privateinspectioncentresorintermediaries:Ireland,Lithuania,Romania,Finland,UK

InRomania,aconsumercancheckthehistoryofrepairedcarsatthewebsiteof theFinancialSurveillanceAuthoritywhichprovidesdetailsofpreviousinsurancepolicies.

(151) Iftheselleragreesandusuallyattheconsumer’sexpense,acheckatthepremisescanbeperformedbyaRoyalDutchTouringClub(ANWB)inspector(152) Howevernolistisavailable.(153) http://www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/connaitre-les-regles/le-vehicule/la-liste-nationale-des-experts-automobile(154) TherearenoofficialorganisationsforthisinLatvia.(155) Alistofexpertsisavailableatthe“ChambredesExperts”.(156) Nolistofexpertsisavailable.(157) FromalistcompiledbytheSwedishChamberofCommerce.(158) However,thereisnoofficialorganisationnorspecificlistofcontacts.(159) AlistofcarmechanicsisavailableinCyprus.(160) Howeverthereisnoofficialwebsiteorlist.(161) AlistisavailableattheEstonianRoadAdministrationwebsite.

http://www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/connaitre-les-regles/le-vehicule/la-liste-nationale-des-experts-automobile

During purchase


Average prices of checks

Thepricesofchecksofthistypedependontheservicesprovidedbutaverage:

Austria EUR60-70

Bulgaria EUR25-50

Croatia EUR20+VAT

Cyprus EUR50-80

CzechRepublic EUR20-40

Denmark FDM,aconsumerorganisation,offersusedcartestsintheirgaragesforapproximatelyEUR400

France EUR69-249**BasedonExperveowhichprovidesindependentchecks.Otherindependentexpertsmaycostmore:http://www.experveo.fr/sas

Germany EUR100

Greece EUR80

Lithuania EUR15

Malta nohigherthanEUR50

Netherlands EUR160-350

Norway EUR60-170

Poland EUR50,orEUR250foramoredetailedreport

Portugal EUR50

Romania EUR4-50perhourorEUR10-25percar

Slovakia fromEUR20

Slovenia EUR100.65,EUR182foramoredetailedinspection

Sweden ThepriceforcardiagnostictestsisapproximatelyEUR170(SEK1600)

UnitedKingdom

foranMOTcertificate(provingroadworthiness),themaximumpriceisGBP54.85forcarsandGBP29.65formotorbikes.Thecarhastobetakentoatestcentreforthis.Foratechnicalreportfromacommercialtrader,pricesstartfromGBP99,andmaydependonfactorssuchasenginesize.Thiscanbedonewhereverthecaris.ForaHirePurchaseInvestigationcheck(orsimilar),whichisaimedatfindingoutifanyfinanceisoutstandingonthecar,theindicatedguidepriceisGBP10percheck

http://www.experveo.fr/sas

During purchase


What should consumers look out for in the contract of sale?

Formal requirements and mandatory provisions

Consumers should be particularly vigilant in checking that the contract of sale respects the formal requirements of the country of sale and the legal provisions so as to ensure that the contract is valid.

Forexample, inBulgaria, it isnotpossible tobuya caronlineas,by law, the contractmustbe inwriting,containbothparties’details,thepriceandadescriptionofthevehicle.Thesignaturesofbothpartiesmustbewitnessedbyanotary.

Awrittencontractisnotnecessaryinallcountries,butisusuallyneededforregisteringthecar(162).Differencesmayalsoexistbetweenrequirementsfornewandusedcars.

A Polish consumer purchased a car in the UK. When registeringit in Poland, it turned out that the seller had not provided akeydocument–theproofofpurchase–sotheconsumercouldnotregister thecar.Thecasewas transferredbyECCPoland toECCUK,whichenabledtheconsumertogetthemissingdocumentandfinaliseregistration.

(162) Seepage188

During purchase


Inseveralcountries,thecontract–writtenorverbal–onlyneedstospecifythebasicterms(163)(whichusuallyincludetheparties,price,descriptionofthevehicle,quantityanddate).Somecountriesgofurtherbyincludingspecificcarpurchaseinformation.

Good to know

Forcontractsconcludedwithconsumers,consumerprotectionrulesand,whereapplicable,distancesellingoroff-premisescontractrulesneedtoberespected.

Asaminimum,consumersshouldlookforthefollowinginformationincontractssignedincountrieswithnospecificlegislation:

Identificationoftheseller,includingtheirname,addressandregistrationnumber; Characteristicsofthevehicleasshownontheregistrationcertificate(brand,model/type,identification

number,yearoffirstregistration,mileage);

Optionsandaccessoriesagreedupon; Price,notincludingVATfornewcars,includingVATforusedcars; Dateofdelivery; Paymentmethod,especiallyifthepaymentisfinancedbyconsumercredit.

(163) Theminimumcontentrequiredforacontracttobelegallybinding

During purchase


CountryAustria The basic terms. Contracts do not have to be in writing.

Belgium

Therearespecificlegalrequirementsfornewcars*:• Name,address,registrationnumber,VATnumberoftheseller,• Nameandaddressofthebuyer,• Dateandreferencenumberoftheorder,• Descriptionofthevehicle(model,type,colourandcolourcodeasaminimum),• Descriptionoftheoptionschosen,ifany,• Underasectionentitled“caractéristiquesspécifiquesessentielles”,specific

requirementsrequestedbytheconsumerwhichareessentialtohim/her,• Theprice,withpricesfororiginalequipment,accessoriesandanychosenoptions

statedseparately,• VATandanyothertaxes,• Thepriceofallsupplementaryservices,• Thetotalprice,• Iftheconsumertradesintheiroldvehicle,adescriptionmustbegivenofthis

vehicleinanannex(brand,model,yearoffirstregistration,chassis/identificationnumber,mileage,etc.)andthepricenotincludingVAT,

• Amountofdepositpaymentandbalancepayable,• Indicationofanon-negotiableprice.Ifthepriceisnegotiable,theconsumermust

beclearlyinformedthathe/shecanwithdrawfromthecontractbyregisteredletterwithin10daysofreceivingtherevisedprice,

• Dateandtimeframefordelivery,• Thewithdrawalrightifthecontractisconcludedawayfromtheseller’sbusiness

premises,• Placeanddateofcontractconclusion,• Confirmationthattheconsumerhasreadalltheinformationandreceivedacopy,• Signatureofthesellerandbuyerwithdate.*Article3,„Arrêtéroyalrelatifauxinformationsessentiellesetauxconditionsgénéralesdeventedevantfigurersurlebondecommandedesvéhiculesautomobilesneufs”,http://www.

ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/loi_a.pl?language=fr&caller=list&cn=2000070941&la=f&fromtab=loi&sql=dt=%27arrete%20royal%27&tri=dd+as+rank&rech=1&numero=1

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria a car purchase contract should, by law, be in a specific form – in writing with signatures witnessed by a notary.

Thecontractmustcontainbothparties’details,thepriceandadescriptionofthevehicle.

Croatia The basic terms.

Cyprus ThecontracthastoshowalllegallymandatoryinformationrequiredforanyvalidcontractinaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheCyprusContractsLaw,Chapter149.

http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/loi_a.pl?language=fr&caller=list&cn=2000070941&la=f&fromtab=loi&sql=dt=%27arrete%20royal%27&tri=dd+as+rank&rech=1&numero=1http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/loi_a.pl?language=fr&caller=list&cn=2000070941&la=f&fromtab=loi&sql=dt=%27arrete%20royal%27&tri=dd+as+rank&rech=1&numero=1

During purchase


Czech Republic The basic terms.

Denmark Requirementsareassessedonacase-by-casebasisandinaccordancewithcontractlaw.

Estonia

An example of a recommended contract format is published on the Estonian Road Administration website. Therearealsorecommendationsastowhatthecontractshouldcontain(detailsofthecarseller,price,detailsofthecar,conditionofthevehicle,odometerreading,etc.).Thesearenotlegallymandatory.

Finland

A second-hand car can be bought without formalities. To register the vehicle, however, a document is needed.

Acontractofsaleisusuallyonlyusedifavehicleistobepaidforininstalments.Ifpaymentisincash,theconsumerwillreceiveadeedofsale.

France

Thetraderhastoprovidepre-contractual information beforetheconsumersignsthecontract(trader’sdetails/address,fullpriceoftheproduct+VAT,deliverydate).The contract/invoicemustinclude(articleL441-3codedecommerce):• Cardetailsincludingmileage/brand/model/vehicleidentificationnumber,• Dateoftheinvoice,invoicereference,• Deliveryaddressanddate,• Fulldetailsofthetraderandthebuyer,• Thetrader’sVATnumber,• FullpriceincludingVAT,• VATdetailsforeachitemincludedinthecontract,• Eventualdeliveryfees,• Dateandconditionsofpayment,ifcreditoraloanisused,aspecificclausewhich

allowsthebuyertocancelthecontractifcreditisdeclined,• Informationabouttherightofwithdrawal,• Informationaboutlegalwarrantiesinthetermsandconditions,• Fordistancesales,informationaboutcoolingoffrightsortheirexclusion(noright

ofwithdrawalforcustomisedcars),• Thesellershouldalsoprovidetherightofwithdrawalform(ANNEXA-ARTICLE

R121-1ofthe“codedelaconsommation”*).* http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCode.do?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006069565&idSectionTA=LEGISCTA000029472300&dateTexte

do?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006069565&idSectionTA=LEGISCTA000029472300&dateTexte

Germany The basic terms. Contracts do not have to be in writing, buttoregisterthevehicle,adocumentisneeded.

Greece Nospecialprovisionsapplytocarpurchasecontracts.

http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCode.do?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006069565&idSectionTA=LEGISCTA000029472300&dateTexte do?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006069565&idSectionTA=LEGISCTA000029472300&dateTextehttp://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCode.do?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006069565&idSectionTA=LEGISCTA000029472300&dateTexte do?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006069565&idSectionTA=LEGISCTA000029472300&dateTexte

During purchase


Hungary

• Whethertransferofownershipisforfreeornot,• Identificationdetailsofthecar(plateandchassisnumber,brand),• Detailsoftheparties(name,dateandplaceofbirth,mother’sname,nationality,

detailsofidentitydocumentation,address),• Serialnumberonthevehicledocuments(certificateofregistration,registration

book),• Dateoftransferofthevehicledocuments,• Dateofcollectionofthecar,• Odometerreading,• Dateofentryintoforceofthechangeoftheownership,• Statementfrombothpartiesthattheywillnotifythecompetentauthoritiesabout

thecontractwithinthedeadlineprescribedbylawandthattheyacknowledgetheeffectsofthatnotificationandoftheregistrationandtheeffectsofanyfailuretoprovidesuchnotification.

Ireland Generalconsumerlawrequirementsapplytomotorvehiclesalecontractsinbusiness-to-consumertransactions.

Italy

Carsareconsideredas‘registeredmovablegoods’(“benimobiliregistrati”).

Thismeansthatapurchasecanbeconsideredlegallyvalidevenifacontracthasnotbeensigned.However,toregisterthecarthebuyermustpresentaninvoiceoracontract.

Latvia

• Thepartiestothecontract,• Theircontactdetails,• Price,• Objectofthecontract(vehicle,descriptionofit),• Termsofpayment,• VAT,• Signatures,• Coolingoffrightsfordistancesales.

Lithuania

• Thepartiestothecontract,• Price,• Buyer’saddress,• VAT,• Descriptionofthevehicle(plate,engineandidentificationnumbers),• Signatures,• Coolingoffrightsfordistancesales.

During purchase


Luxem-burg

Contracts do not have to be in writingtobebindingbutawrittencopyofthecontractwillprovethecommitmentoftheparties.Contractsmustmeettheconditionsofcommoncontractuallaw.Inconsumer-to-businesscontracts,thepartieshavetorespectconsumerlaw.An invoice (document-facture) is needed to register the car. Details: http://www.snca.lu/content/view/115/187/lang,french/

Thecontractandinvoiceshouldalsofollowaspecificformatandcontaincertainmandatoryprovisions.

Malta Informationisnotavailable.

Nether-lands

Acontractisbindingwhenaverbalorwrittenagreementhasbeenreached.Thesellerandconsumerhavetoagreeonprice,typeofcar,colour,additionaloptions,etc..Itneedstobeclearwhichcartheconsumerwantstobuysothishastobespecifiedinthecontract.

Norway A written contract is not necessary, but preferable.

Poland The basic terms.

Portugal

• Thebuyer’sandtheseller’sname,• Theiraddresses,• Fiscalidentification,• Thecar’sidentification,• Additionalelementsdependonthecontract.Forbusiness-to-consumercontracts,

consumerandtaxlegislationisapplicable(whetherforpurchaseonthepremises,atdistanceorwithconsumercredit).Suchcontractsmustbeinwritingandsignedbytheconsumerandthetrader;

• Contractsbetweenindividualscantaketheformofaverbalagreementoranofficialformsignedbybothparties.

Romania

Therearenospecificprovisionsforcarpurchasecontracts.ThegeneralvalidityconditionsoftheCivilCodeapply(art.1178-1245):capacitytocontract,parties’consent,adeterminateandlicitobject,andalicitandmoralcause.A written contract is not required for validity, but it is required for registration.Otherthanthis,itiscompulsoryforconsumercontractstocontainallinformationrequiredbyArt.5ofDirective2011/83/EU(Art.4ofGO34/2014,transposingtheDirective)ortheinformationrequiredunderrulesfordistancecontracts.Thesanctionforthebreachoftheseprovisionsispecuniaryanddoesnotaffectthevalidityofthecontract.

Slovakia The basic terms.

Slovenia The basic terms.

http://www.snca.lu/content/view/115/187/lang,french/

During purchase


Spain

Thereisnospecificcontractforthiskindofsale.Althoughrecommendationsofdetailstobeincluded(basedonthemostcommonformsofcontract)shouldinclude:• Personaldetailsofbothparties(name,identificationno.,addresses,VATno.),• Cardetails(brand,model,chassisno.,numberplates),• Price(includingVAT),• Specialfeaturesofthecar(ifitunderwentatechnicalinspection,odometer

reading,extras,accessories,etc.),• Detailsofthecompetentjurisdiction(specificcourtthatwouldruleintheevent

ofadispute).

Sweden

Therearenoformalrequirementsintermsofcontractvalidity.As a rule, an agreement can be made verbally, but this is a problem as regards registration. Ifaconsumerwishestoregisteranimportedcar,he/shewillhavetoprovideacopyofawrittencontract.Ifanewcarisboughtabroad,acontractincludingthepriceneedstobeprovidedtotheSwedishtaxagency.

United Kingdom

Standardinformationrequirementsapply.Insomecases,thesellercanarguethatdistancesellinglawsmaynotapplyiftheyarenotsetuptosellcarsinthismanneronaregularbasis,i.e.iftheyagreetoadistancesaleasaone-off,butnormallyconducttheirsalesontheirpremises.

In addition to the formal requirements explained above, consumers should carefully read through the contract and only sign contracts they understand.

Consumers should avoid contracts containing a clause stating that there is no legal guarantee for the buyer. Some traders try to exclude legal guarantee rights by claiming that the contract is a business-to-businesscontractorthatthecarissold“withoutwarranties”.Suchaclauseisconsiderednullandvoid(164) in business-to-consumercontracts,butitmaygiveanindicationastotherealconditionofthecar.Also,ECCsoftenseecasesinwhichbothpartiesarenamedaseitherindividualsorprofessionalsinordertoexcludethelegalguaranteeofconformityorlimitthescopeforitsapplication.

(164) For further information on guarantees and warranties, see page 214.

During purchase


A Dutchconsumerboughtasecond-handcarfromaGermantraderforEUR6000.OnthewaybacktotheNetherlands(100kmfromtheseller’spremises)thegearboxstartedmakingalotofnoise.Theconsumercalledthetradertotellthemaboutthis.Thetradertoldtheconsumer todriveback to theNetherlandsandget thecarcheckedthere.TheconsumerdidsoandcontactedaDutchgaragewhosaidthatarepairofthegearboxwouldcostEUR1000.Theconsumerinformedthetrader,butthetraderonlyofferedtopayEUR200.TheconsumercontactedECC-Netforassistanceingettingahigherrefund.However,thecontractstatedthat theconsumerclosedthedealasabusinessandbusiness-to-business ruleswouldapply.ECCGermanycontactedthetraderwhoreferredtothephrasesinthecontractandwouldnotoffermorethanEUR200.

Usedcarsarealsooftensoldwithan“asis”clause.Thebuyershouldcarefullychecktheconditionofthecarasscopeformakingaclaimforanydefectsmightbelimited.

Carsmayalsobesoldviagaragesonbehalfofindividuals.Insuchcases,thecontractofsaleisconcludeddirectlybetweentheownerofthecarandthebuyerandconsumer-to-consumerrulesapply.Consumers should check the registration certificate and title of ownership carefully to make sure that the name of the seller is the same as the name given in the registration document, or that the seller has power of attorney to sell the car in the registered owner’s name. Otherwise, registration will be difficult or even impossible. Consumers should also check that there is an indication regarding VAT(165)in the contract.

(165) Seealsopage172.

During purchase


A French consumer bought a second-hand carfromaGermantraderforEUR7500,payingthe full price inadvancebybank transfer.At thetrader’spremises,theconsumerfoundthatthecarhadaliquefiedpetroleumgas(LPG)systeminsteadofaclassicfuelsystembutdecidedtotakethecaranyway(asthecarwasanLPGcar,othertestswouldbeneededbeforetheconsumercouldregisteritinFrance).Onthewaybackhome,thecarwasnotworkingproperlyandcouldn’tgoabove80km/h.Theconsumerreturnedthecartothesellerwhowasnotthere(onlya“friend”wasonsite).Whentheconsumeranalysedthedocuments,itappearedthat the contract was a consumer-to-consumercontract. The seller first proposed a refund ofEUR6000whichtheconsumerrefused.Finally,thetraderagreedtotaketheLPGsystemoutsothattheconsumercouldpickupthecarandregisteritinFrance.

A Belgian consumer bought a second-handpick-up truck from a Dutch car dealer forEUR14 950.A fewmonths later, several defectsshowed up so the consumer asked a Belgiangaragetomakeanestimateoftherepaircost.Theassessment revealed that the repairswould costEUR8617.95.Theconsumercontactedthesellertoaskhimtohavetherepairsdoneonthebasisof the legalguarantee.Theseller refused, sayingthat the contract included a clause excludingwarranties.AfterbeingcontactedbytheDutchECC,thesellersaidthatthevehiclecouldbereturnedforinspectioninaDutchgaragespecialisinginoldAmericanpick-ups, but the consumer refused asthepartiescouldnotagreeaboutwhowouldcoverthetransportcosts.

During purchase


What documentation should be provided by the seller?

Thedocuments listedbelow formanonexhaustive list. Consumers should check if other documents are needed in the country where they intend to register the car.

The contract of sale or an invoice

AcontractofsaleorinvoiceshouldbeprovidedbythesellerinallEUMemberStatesandNorway.Concerningformalrequirementscontractsmayneedtorespectinordertobelegallyvalid(166).

Registration certificate

Thesellermustprovidetheconsumerwiththeregistrationcertificate.Consumers should check the identity of the indicated owner carefully(167).

Good to know: in some countries, such as Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Luxemburg, Slovakia and Sweden, the registration certificate is composed of two parts. If one part is not delivered by the seller, registration might be refused in the consumer’s home country. Itcouldalsomeanthatthecarispawned(168).The consumer should always make sure that they receive all parts of the registration certificate.

(166) Seepage92.(167) Seealsopage98.(168) Seealsopage113.

http://www.europe-consommateurs.eu/en/consumer-topics/on-the-road/buying-a-car/cross-border-car-purchase-and-registration/

During purchase


Austria

Theregistrationcertificateiscomposedoftwoparts(“ZulassungsbescheingungTeilI(Fahrzeugschein)”and“ZulassungsbescheingungTeilII(Fahrzeugbrief)”or“Typenschein” and “Zulassungschein”):The“ZulassungsbescheingungTeilI(Fahrzeugschein)”containstrafficconditions.The“ZulassungsbescheingungTeilII(Fahrzeugbrief)”containsinformationabouttheownerofthecar.

Belgium Bulgaria

French:Certificatd’immatriculation

Dutch:Inschrijvingsbewijs

Theregistrationcertificate(“СВИДЕТЕЛСТВОЗАРЕГИСТРАЦИЯ”)iscomposedoftwopartsandthesellershouldprovideboth.PartIistheproofofownership.PartIIshouldbecarriedbythedriverandpresentedtothepoliceintheeventofchecks.

During purchase


Croatia Cyprus

Prometnadozvola ΠιστοποιητικόΕγγραφήςΜηχανοκίνητουΟχήματοςor‘logbook’

Czech Republic Denmark

Osvědčeníoregistracivozidla(Technickýprůkaz) Registreringsattest(vehicleregistrationcertificate)

During purchase


Estonia

Sõidukiregistreerimistunnistus(vehicleregistrationcertificate)

https://www.riigiteataja.ee/aktilisa/1220/4201/5007/MKM_m83_lisa1_m19.pdf

Finland France

Rekisteröintitodistus(registrationcertificate) Cartegrise(greycard)

https://www.riigiteataja.ee/aktilisa/1220/4201/5007/MKM_m83_lisa1_m19.pdf

During purchase


Germany Greece

TheFahrzeugscheinhastwoparts(“ZulassungsbescheinigungTeil1andTeil2“).andtheconsumershouldmakesurethattheygetbothofthem.TheZulasungsbescheinigungTeilII/Fahrzeugbriefindicatestheownerofthecarandprovesthatthecarisnotpawned**SeeabovepageXX

Άδειακυκλοφορίαςαυτοκινήτου–adiakikloforiasaftokinitou

During purchase


Hungary Ireland

forgalmiengedély VehicleRegistrationCertificate

Italy Latvia

Cartadicircolazione(circulationcard) Transportlīdzekļareģistrācijasapliecība(Vehicleregistrationcertificate)

During purchase


Lithuania Luxembourg

RegistracijosLiudijimasTheregistrationcertificateiscomposedoftwoparts:„Certificatd‘immatriculation-PartieI“(cartegrise),„Certificatd‘immatriculation-PartieII“

Malta Netherlands

LogBook Kentekenbewijs(vehicleregistrationcertificate/licenseplateprove)

During purchase


Norway Poland

Vognkort Idowódrejestracyjny(proofofregistration)

Portugal Romania

Certificadodematrícula Certificatdeînmatriculare

During purchase


Slovakia

Theregistrationcertificatehastwoparts.

The Osvedčenie o evidencii časť 1

and Osvedčenie o evidencii časť 2

During purchase


Slovenia Spain

prometnodovoljenje PermisodeCirculación(CirculationPermissionCard)

Sweden United Kingdom

Registreringsbevis(Registrationcertificate)Theregistrationcertificatehascomprisedtwoparts.Part1oftheregistrationcertificateandPart2oftheregistrationcertificate.Itneedstobetheoriginal.Ifseveralpartsareissued,allneedtobesent.

ItisofficiallycalledtheV5RegistrationDocument,but iscommonlyreferredtoaslogbook.

During purchase


If the car has been registered before the sale, the consumer should make sure that they receive proof that it is no longer registered(169).Aseparatede-registrationcertificatemightbeissuedorde-registrationcouldbeindicatedontheregistrationcertificate.InGermany,theadministrationnotesthedateofde-registrationintheZulassungsscheinTeilI/Fahrzeugschein.Thefiscalauthoritiesandthecarinsuranceproviderareautomaticallyinformed.Thecaristhennolongerauthorisedtobedrivenonpublicroads.

A French consumer purchased a second-hand car from a Frenchdealer.ThisFrenchcompanyhadboughtthecarinGermanybuttheconsumerdidnothaveanycontractwithordetailsoftheGermanseller.TheFrenchdealerneversentthetwo-partGermanregistrationcertificate(thecarwasstillregisteredinGermanywithGermanplates)andsubsequentlyceasedtrading.TheconsumercouldnotregisterthecarinFrancewithouttheGermanregistrationcertificate.ECCGermanygotintouchwiththeGermanauthoritiesbuttonoavailastherequestforaduplicateoftheregistrationcertificateshouldhavebeenmadebythepreviousowner(unknowninthiscase).

TheconsumerreceivedinformationthattheFrenchauthoritiescouldrequestanyinformationaboutthecar(registrationdetails,whetherithadbeenstolen,etc.)bycommunicatingthevehicle identificationand registration number to theGerman authorities. This is becauseEUMemberStatesnowgivecontactpointsfromotherMemberStatesaccesstocertainnationalvehicleregistrationdataandthepowertoconductsearcheswithavehicleidentificationorregistrationnumber*1

France has set up a contact point*2 and the consumerwas advisedtocontacthis localprefectureandtheGerman*3contactpoint. Ifnosolution could be found, hewas advised to contact SOLVIT and theFrenchoutofcourtdisputesettlementbody.

*1 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:210:0001:0011:EN:PDF

*2 http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000 020 915300

*3https://www.eucaris.net/countries/federal-republic-of-germany

→

(169) AccordingtoArticle5(2)ofDirective1999/37/EUMemberStaeshaveanobligationtoinformtheMemberStateoforiginwithin2monthsoftheregistrationandthewithdrawaloftheregistrationcertificate.

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:210:0001:0011:EN:PDFhttp://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000020915300https://www.eucaris.net/countries/federal-republic-of-germany

During purchase


A DanishconsumerboughtacaronsitefromaGermantrader.Thetraderdidnothavetheoriginalregistrationcertificatewhentheconsumerboughtthecar,soitwasagreedthatitwouldbeforwardedlater.Eventhoughtheconsumeraskedforitseveraltimes,hedidn’treceiveitandcouldn’tregisterthecarinDenmark.

Whenhandlingthecase,theECC-NetdiscoveredthatthecarhadbeensoldeventhoughafinancingcompanyhadaretentionoftitletotheamountofEUR18000onthecar.Thetraderhadsoldthecarwithoutpayingtheoutstandingdebt.Sincethen,thetraderhasbeendeclaredinsolvent.Theconsumerthereforehadtoturntothefinancingcompanyandwasabletocometoanagreement.TheconsumerpaidthefinancingcompanyEUR6000fortheregistrationcertificateandifthefinancingcompanycanobtainmorethanEUR13000oftheEUR18000claimagainstthetrader,theexcessamountwillbepaidtotheconsumer.

ThecaseisnowalmostclosedandtheECC’sinvolvementhasmostlybeen in the form of instruction, since the consumer contacted thefinancingcompanyhimself

ThecaseisnowalmostclosedandtheinvolvementfromECChasmostlybeeninstruction

During purchase


Proof that a car is not pawned

Itisquiteeasyforsomeoneinneedofmoneytopawnthetitletohis/hercar.Itmaybeeasierthanapplyingforaloanandallowsthepersontokeepusingthecar.Also,ifaconsumerleasesacar,thedealershipretainsownership. Sohowcana consumerbe sure thatno thirdpartyhasa claimon thecarhe/she isabout topurchase?

Only in France (“certificat de non gage”) and Malta does the seller have to provide proof that the car is not pawned. InFrance,theserviceisavailableonlineandtakesonlyafewminutes:https://siv.interieur.gouv.fr/map-usg-ui/do/accueil_certificat.

A Frenchconsumerboughtasecond-handcarfromaGermantraderinMarch2015.TheconsumerreceivedapurchaseagreementaswellasbothpartsoftheGermanregistrationcertificate(seebelow).ThecarwasdeliveredwithGermanregistrationplates.Whenhewantedtoregisterthecarwiththeprefecture,theconsumerwasinformedthatthecarwaspawnedinFrancewithoutanyfurtherdetails.Theconsumertriedtocancelthesalebuttonoavail.HecontactedECCFrancewhogotintouchwiththeStrasbourgPrefectureandwasinformedthatthecarinitiallycamefromFrancebeforebeingsoldtosomeoneinGermanyand that ithadbeenpawned inParis in2013.TheconsumerfinallyobtainedmoreinformationfromtheParisPrefecture,andadefinitiveregistrationcertificateoncethebankconfirmedtotheParisPrefecturethatthecarwasnolongerpawned(abankloanhadbeenfullyrepaidbythepreviousownerwhichwasaFrenchcompany).

https://siv.interieur.gouv.fr/map-usg-ui/do/accueil_certificathttps://siv.interieur.gouv.fr/map-usg-ui/do/accueil_certificat

During purchase


InAustriaandGermany,proofisusuallygiveninformoftheregistrationcertificate(ZulassungsbescheinigungTeilII/Fahrzeugbrief).

However,ECCshavereportedcasesinwhichcarsundercarleasingcontractshavebeensoldfromGermanyacrossborderswithouttheFahrzeugbrief.Incaseswherealeasingcontractisinforce,consumersneedtobeawarethat:

ThesellerwillonlyhavetheFahrzeugschein,whichidentifiestheregistrationholder. ThebankwillkeeptheZulassungsbescheinigungTeilII/Fahrzeugbrief,onwhichtheywillbenamedas

ownerofthecar,assecurity.WhenpurchasingacarinGermanyorAustria,consumersshouldmakesuretheyhavebothpartsoftheregistrationcertificate.UnderGermanlaw,purchaseisonlypossiblewiththeFahrzeugbrief.Registrationisusuallyonlypossiblewithbothpartsoftheregistrationcertificate,seealsopage105.

Ifaconsumerdecidestoterminateacontractforleaseofacarfromacompany,he/sheshouldinformthebankwhichhasfinancedtheleasing.

A SlovenianconsumerboughtadamagedcarfromaGermantrader.Theconsumer receivedapurchaseagreementandPart Iof theregistration certificate togetherwith the car, but itwas agreed thatPartIIoftheregistrationcertificatewouldbesentbypostafterwards.Oncethecarhadbeenrepaired,theconsumerneededthedocumenttoregisterit.Hecontactedthetraderseveraltimesbye-mailandalsobytelephone.Thecallswerenotansweredandhereceivednoreplytothemessagesheleft.TheconsumeraskedECCSloveniaforhelpinobtaining themissing document. After ECC Germany contacted thetrader,thedocumentwasdeliveredinjustafewdays.

Inothercountries,consumersmayrequestconfirmationthatacarisnotpawnedinthecontract.Otherwise,theywillhavetocheckthisthemselves.

Insomecountries,suchasDenmark,Norway(170)andRomania,itispossibletodosoontheInternet.

InIreland,norequirementexists inconsumerlegislation,butaconsumerpurchasingfromaprofessional isentitledtoassumethatthecarisfreeofanythirdpartyclaims.

(170) InNorway,thecontractnormallyincludesaclauseunderwhichthesellerconfirmsthatthecarisnotpawned.Thebuyercancheckwhetherthecarispawnedbyenteringtheregistrationnumberforfreeatthefollowinglink:http://w2.brreg.no/motorvogn/.

http://w2.brreg.no/motorvogn/http://w2.brreg.no/motorvogn/

During purchase


Technical inspection certificate

Atechnical inspectioncertificate isnotmandatory inall countries,butmaybeneeded to registeracar inanothercountry.

Service book

ThesellermustprovidetheservicebookinBelgium.

No such obligation exists in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,France,Germany,Greece,Hungary,Ireland,Italy,Latvia,Lithuania,Luxembourg,Malta,Netherlands,Norway,Poland,Portugal,Romania,Slovakia,Slovenia,Spain,SwedenandUK.Nevertheless,itisgenerallyconsideredgoodpracticetoprovidetheservicebookandconsumersareadvisedtoaskforit.

Traditionalservicebooksareoftennotproducedfornewcars.Electronicservicebooksnowallowconsumerstocheckifacarhasbeenserviced,forexampleinGermany,CroatiaandSlovakia.

Good to know

Since1June2010andtheentryintoforceofRegulation461/2010*,amanufacturercannotrequirethatabuyerusesaspecificrepairserviceforrepairsormaintenanceofavehicle.

*http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:129:0052:0057:EN:PDF

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:129:0052:0057:EN:PDF

During purchase


History of the car

Checkingthehistoryofacarmaygiveanindicationasto itscondition,mileageandrealvalue. Itmayalsouncoveranyfinancialclaimsonitorpastroadaccidents.

In Belgium, the seller has to provide a Car-Pass showing the mileage at every service/control(171). The Dutch NAP document can be provided by the seller, or the buyer can find it online(172).

Intermsofhistoryofthecar,dealers inFrance(173)areobligedtogivetheconsumerinformationaboutthehistoryofthecarintermsofthedatethatitwasputinservice.

Noobligationexistsinothercountriestoprovideahistoryofacarintermsofdatesandmileageoranyotherdetailsunlessthedescriptionofthecaroradvertisingstatesotherwise.Insuchcases,failuretoprovidesuchdetailscouldbeconsideredasbreachofcontract.InEstonia,thehistorycanbecheckedusingthecar’svehicleidentificationnumberinthenationalreselleroffice.InRomania,theconsumercanverifythehistoryofdamageandrepairstoacarwhichwerecoveredbyinsuranceonthewebsiteoftheFinancialSurveillanceAuthority(174).

InHungary,whenregisteringthecarthereisanobligationtoperformacheckoftheidentityofthevehicle.

However,ifthecarispurchasedinanotherEUMemberStateandthebuyerhasthecar’spreviousregistrationcertificate,thischeckisnotdone.Whenthecheckhastobeperformed,theregistrationauthoritychecksthatthishasbeendoneandtheresultofthecheck.Thesellerorthebuyerisresponsibleforgettingthisdone(itisnotspecifiedbylawwhichpartyisresponsible,generallyitisthesellerbutthepartiescanagreeotherwise).In thiscase, it isalsomandatorytocheckthehistory/originof thevehicle.This isdonebytheregistrationauthorityaftertheapplicanthaspaidthefeefortheprocedure.

InSlovakia,consumersalsohavetoperformthesecheckswhenregisteringacar(“Kontrolaoriginality”).CostsforthischeckarearoundEUR60-120.

(171) Seepage35.(172) http://www.rdwcheck.nl/nap-check/(173) Article2ter,Décretn°78-993du4octobre1978prispourl’applicationdelaloidu1eraoûtsurlesfraudesetfalsificationsenmatièredeproduitsoudeservicesencequiconcernelesvéhiculesautomobiles.(174) http://www.asfromania.ro/consumatori/baza-de-date-cedam/interogare-istoric-daunalitate

http://www.rdwcheck.nl/nap-check/http://www.asfromania.ro/consumatori/baza-de-date-cedam/interogare-istoric-daunalitate

During purchase


European Certificate of Conformity

Cars with a European Certificate of Conformity

Directive2007/46/ECestablishingaframeworkfortheapprovalofmotorvehiclesandtheirtrailers,andofsystems,componentsandseparatetechnicalunitsintendedforsuchvehicles(175)foreseesanEUtypeapprovalproceduretoensurethatatypeofvehicleisinlinewithtechnicalprescriptionsandsecuritynormsestablishedatEU-level.UnderEUrules,“Beforeavehicleisallowedtobeputonthemarket,ithastofulfilalltherelevanttypeorindividualapprovalrequirementsguaranteeinganoptimallevelofsafetyandenvironmentalstandards.”(176) ThetechnicalcharacteristicsofacararethenindicatedinadocumentdrawnupbythemanufacturercalledtheCertificateofConformity(COC).

Subsequently,“EveryMemberStatehastheobligationtoregisterforthefirsttimeanyvehiclethatreceivedtheEuropeantype-approvalonthebasisofthe“CertificateofConformity”issuedbythevehiclemanufacturer.Thisregistrationistheofficialauthorisationforuseonpublicroadsandenforcesthedifferentintroductiondatesofdifferentvehicles’requirements.”(177)

TheCOCisvalidinallEUcountries,Iceland,LiechtensteinandNorway.

Whenacarhastobere-registeredinanotherMemberState,theconsumermayberequiredtopresentaCOC.He/she should check with the seller whether a COC can be provided.

(175) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2007:263:0001:0160:en:PDF(176) http://epthinktank.eu/2014/10/07/eu-rules-on-vehicle-registration-and-inspections/(177) http://epthinktank.eu/2014/10/07/eu-rules-on-vehicle-registration-and-inspections/

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2007:263:0001:0160:en:PDFhttp://epthinktank.eu/2014/10/07/eu-rules-on-vehicle-registration-and-inspections/http://epthinktank.eu/2014/10/07/eu-rules-on-vehicle-registration-and-inspections/

During purchase


A COC is required for registering a car in 23 European countries: Austria,Croatia,Cyprus(forusedcars),CzechRepublic,Estonia,France,Germany(178),Greece(fornewcars),Hungary(fornewcars),Ireland(fornewcars)(179),Italy(180),Latvia (butseveralexceptionsareforeseen,seebelow),Luxembourg,Malta,Netherlands,Norway,Poland(181),Portugal,Romania(fornewcars),Slovakia(182),Slovenia(fornewcars),Spain(183)andUK(184).

NosuchobligationexistsinBelgium,Bulgaria,Denmark,Lithuania,FinlandandSweden(185).

WherenoCOCisprovided,theconsumermightbeabletogethelpfromtheauthorisedrepresentativeofthemanufacturer.

(178) TheCOCisrequiredinGermany.Ifnoneexists,registrationisstillpossiblebutthecarwillhavetoundergoatechnicalinspection.(179) NewvehiclespresentedforregistrationmusthaveaEuropeanCommunityWholeVehicleType-Approval(ECWVTA),aCOC,anIndividualVehicleApproval(IVA)orNationalSmallSeriesType-Approval(NSSTA).(180) Forsecond-handcars,aTechnicalDataSheetcansuffice.(181) Ifitexists.(182) FornewcarsfromanotherEUMemberState.(183) IfthecarhasbeenboughtinanotherEUMemberState.(184) ACOCisneededifthevehicleisright-handdrive.Itcanbeobtainedfromthemanufacturer.ACOCandaMutualRecognitionisnecessaryifthevehicleisleft-handdrive.AnIndividualVehicleApproval(IVA)certificateisnecessaryifthevehiclehasno

Europeanapproval.(185) ACOCisonlymandatoryinSwedenifthevehiclehasn’tpreviouslybeenregisteredintheEU,orifitsoriginor“originalstate”isuncertain,forinstanceifanimportedcarshowssignsofillegalmodifications.

During purchase


Situation in the Member States

Austria TheCOCismandatory.

Ifthesellerdoesn’tprovideaCOC,theconsumercancontactthegeneralimporterofthecarbrandandaskforanequivalent(approvalinthegeneralimporter’sdatabaseandanextractofthisapproval“AuszugausderGenehmigungsdatenbank”).

If no COC is available from the manufacturer, the consumer should contact thegovernorofthefederalstateinwhichthecarisregistered.

Testingcentres(“technischeLandesprüfstellen”)arethenresponsibleforregisteringthe car in the COC database, see http://versa.bmvit.gv.at/index.php?id=301&L=0andhttp://www.wien.gv.at/amtshelfer/verkehr/organisation/fahrzeugaenderung/einzelgenehmigung.html.

Belgium It isnotmandatory for the seller toprovide theCOCbut itmaybe requested forregistrationintheconsumer’scountryofresidence,soconsumersshouldalwayscheckifthesellercanprovideit.Ifnot,aduplicatecanberequestedfromthemanufacturerforafee.

IfnoCOCisavailablefromthemanufacturer,theconsumerhastocontacttheBelgianimporter tocheck if themodelof carhasundergonea specialprocedure togetanationalequivalenttoaCOC.Ifnot,thecarhastopassaspecialtechnicalinspection.Thiscantakeafewmonthsaccordingtosomeconsumers.

Bulgaria TheCOCisnotmandatory,butconsumersshouldobtainitasitwillmakeregistrationofthecareasiershouldtheCOCbeneededinthecountryofregistration.IftheCOCisnotavailablefromtheseller,theconsumercanpaythemanufactureroraprivatecompanytocheckthatthecarconformstoEUstandardsandissueacertificate.

Croatia TheCOCismandatoryifavailable.IfnoCOCisavailablefromtheseller,theconsumercancontact themanufacturer inhis/hercountryof residence. If themanufacturercannotprovideaCOC,theconsumershouldaskatechnicalserviceinhis/herhomecountry.

Cyprus ACOCfornewcarsismandatory.IfnoCOCisavailablefromtheseller,theconsumershouldcontactthemanufacturerinCyprus,evenifthecarwaspurchasedabroad.

IfnoCOCisavailableforanewcar,itisnotpossibletoimportittoCyprus.UsedcarsmustbetestedbytheDepartmentofRoadTransport.

CzechRepublic ThesellerisnotobligedtoprovidetheCOCbuttheconsumermayneedittoregisterthecarinhis/hercountryofresidence.

IfnoCOCisavailablefromtheseller,theconsumercancontactthemanufacturertoobtainaduplicateforafee.

http://www.wien.gv.at/amtshelfer/verkehr/organisation/fahrzeugaenderung/einzelgenehmigung.htmlhttp://www.wien.gv.at/amtshelfer/verkehr/organisation/fahrzeugaenderung/einzelgenehmigung.html

During purchase


Denmark ACOCisnotmandatory.Ifacarhasan“EF-approval”,it ispossibletoregisterit inDenmark.Ifitdoesnothavean“EF-approval”,theconsumershouldtrytoobtainadeclaration/certificatethatprovesthatthecarconformstoDanishrequirements.Itshouldbecompletedbythecarmanufacturer,arepresentativeofthecarmanufacturer(theimporter)oranapprovedtestinglaboratory.

Estonia ACOCisneededfornewcars.Ifthesellerdoesn’tprovideone,theconsumercanaskthemanufacturerforaduplicateforafee.

Finland ACOCisnotmandatory.

France SpecificcartypesmaynotbelistedinFrance(campingcars,importedcarsfromothercontinents,etc.(186)).Theconsumerwillthenneedan“attestationd’identificationàuntypeCE”whichalsocertifiesconformitywithEUstandards.

Ifaconsumerwantstobuyanyofthesetypesofcar,ECCFrancestronglyrecommendsthattheycheckbeforehandifregistrationwillbepossible.

TheCOCismandatoryifthecarwasfirstregisteredafter1997andisnormallyneededforregisteringthecar intheconsumer’shomecountry.TheconsumershouldthuscheckwiththesellerifaCOCcanbeprovided.Ifnot,aduplicatecanberequestedfrom themanufacturer for a fee. If themanufacturer cannot provide a COC, theconsumercanaskoneofthetechnicalservicesinFranceorinhis/herhomecountryforan“attestationidentificationàuntypeCE”.CertainmanufacturerscanchargeuptoEUR160forthisdocument.

If the car is older or if themanufacturer is unable to provide a COC duplicate oran “attestation”,dependingon theprefecture (somedonot recognise registrationcertificatedetailseveniftheEUtypeapprovalnumberappears),theconsumerwillhave to contact the “directions régionales de l’environnement, de l’aménagementetdulogement”(DREAL)(187),whichistheauthorityresponsiblefortestingimportedcars,andfileforaspecificnationalapproval(188).ThecostoffilingthisdemandisaboutEUR90.TheDREALmayrequirefurthertests(189).ConsumerswillthenberedirectedtoUTAC-OTCnearParis(theonlyFrenchtechnicalserviceontheEuropeanCommissionlistofapprovedservices).

Germany TheCOCisnormallyneededforregisteringthecarintheconsumer’shomecountry,sotheconsumershouldcheckwiththesellerifaCOCcanbeprovided.Ifnot,aduplicatecanberequestedfromthemanufacturerforafee.

TheCOCisrecommendedbutisnolongermandatory,andatechnicalinspectionissufficient.

TheconsumercanaskanyofthetechnicalservicesontheEuropeanCommissionlistfor this:http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/automotive/approval-authorities-technical-services/technical-services/index_en.htm.

(186) Seealsopage125oncarswithoutaCOC(187) http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/Liste-des-21-DREAL(188) http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/La-reception-individuelle-ou.html(189) Seepage125forcarswithoutaCOC

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/automotive/approval-authorities-technical-services/technical-services/index_en.htmhttp://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/automotive/approval-authorities-technical-services/technical-services/index_en.htmhttp://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/Liste-des-21-DREALhttp://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/La-reception-individuelle-ou.html

During purchase


Greece TheCOCismandatoryfornewcarsonly.Ifthesellercan’tprovideit,theconsumershouldcontactthemanufacturerinhis/hercountrytoobtainaduplicateforafee.

IfnoCOCisavailableforanewcar,thenitisimpossibletoimportitintoGreece.UsedcarsmustbetestedbytheDepartmentofRoadTransport.

Hungary TheCOC isnotmandatorybut recommended for registering thecarabroad. IfnoCOCisavailableandthecarisbeingputintocirculationforthefirsttimeinHungary,designatedbodiesperformachecktoverifytheidentityofthecar.Suchcheckscanbecarriedoutattheservicecentreslistedathttp://nyilvantarto.hu/hu/gepjarmu_eredetisegvizsgaloallomasok.

Ireland AllnewpassengercarsofEUvehiclecategoryM1(carswithnomorethannineseatsand excluding special purpose vehicles) now require EuropeanCommunityWholeVehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA), a COC or national type approval in order to beregisteredinIreland.

The National Small Series Type Approval (NSSTA) scheme is administratively lessonerous than ECWVTA andwhere appropriate, alternative technical requirementsapply.TherearealsoreducedConformityofProductionrequirements.OnceNSSTAhasbeengranted,amanufacturermayissueaCOCforeachvehicleproducedofthesametype,butthenumberofvehiclespertypethatcanbemanufacturedislimited.IrelandhasintroducedtheIndividualVehicleApproval(IVA)schemefortheapprovalofnewvehiclesandtrailersimportedormanufacturedinverysmallnumbersorasindividual vehicles.Under theapproval scheme,eachvehicle isphysically checkedinorder toensure that itmeetsmodern safetyandenvironmental standards.ThetechnicalandadministrativerequirementsassociatedwithIVAarelessonerousthanthoseofNSSTAorECWVTA.OnceavehiclepassesanIVAinspection,anIVAcertificateisissuedwhichallowsthevehicletoberegisteredinIreland.Ifanindividualimportsanewpassengercarthatdoesnothavetypeapproval,e.g.onefromoutsidetheEU,thecarmustbepresentedtotheNationalStandardsAuthorityofIreland(NSAI)forcertificationbeforeregistrationcantakeplace.

IfnoCOCisavailable,theNSAIisresponsibleforissuingNSSTAandIVA.NSAIhasanetworkoftestcentreswhichphysicallyexamineandissuetestreportsforsomeorallofthetechnicalrequirements.ThesetestreportsarethenusedbyNSAItograntthevehicleortrailerapprovals.

http://nyilvantarto.hu/hu/gepjarmu_eredetisegvizsgaloallomasokhttp://nyilvantarto.hu/hu/gepjarmu_eredetisegvizsgaloallomasok

During purchase


Italy TheCOC ismandatory fornewcars. Forusedcars,a technicaldata sheet (schedatecnica)issuedbyanauthoriseddepartmentcanbesufficient,butisnotacceptedbyallItalianauthorities.

IfnoCOCisavailable,theconsumercancontactthemanufacturerinhis/herhomecountrytoobtainaduplicateforafee.IfthemanufacturercannotprovideaCOC,theconsumershouldcontacttheauthoritywhichinitiallyregisteredthecar.

An Italian consumer purchased a second-hand car from a Germanseller.RegistrationattheItalianmotorvehiclesofficewasnotpossiblebecause therewas no stamp from the local authorities inGermanyonthetechnicaldatasheetissuedbytheauthorisedGermanagency.Althoughthisstampshouldnothavebeenessential,theconsumerwasnotallowedtoregisterthecarwithoutit.WithECCGermany’shelp,theItalianconsumerwasabletofindouthowtogetthisstampinordertofinalisetheregistrationinItaly.

Latvia TheCOCisnotmandatoryinLatviaforallvehiclecategoriesbutusuallynecessaryforregisteringthecarabroad.IfnoCOCisavailablefromtheseller,theconsumercancontactthemanufacturerinhis/herhomecountrytoobtainaduplicateforafee.IfthemanufacturercannotprovideaCOC,theconsumercangetfurtherinformationfromtheTechnicalControlandCertificationInspectionServiceoftheLatvianRoadTrafficSafetyDirectorate(CSDD).

ACOCisnotmandatoryfor:

• Registrationofavehiclewhichwasfirstregisteredbefore1January2001;

• Foravehicleregisteredafter1January2001andwithayearofmanufactureormodelyearindicatedintheforeignregistrationcertificateas2000orearlier;

• Cars,motorcycles, andmotorised tricycles andquadricyclesfirst registeredafter1January 2001, and buses, goods vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers first registeredafter 29April 2009,which have passed a type conformity assessment carried outinaccordancewithEUrequirementsas shownbya typeapprovalmarkingon themanufacturer’splate;

• Cars, mopeds, motorcycles, motorised tricycles and quadricycles, goods vehicles,trailers and semi-trailers first registered after January 1 2001 in Austria, Belgium,Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein,Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland or UKwhichhavenotpassedaconformityassessmentcarriedoutinaccordancewithEUrequirements;

• Cars, mopeds, motorcycles, motorised tricycles and quadricycles, goods vehicles,trailersandsemi-trailersfirstregisteredafterDecember312011inBulgaria,CzechRepublic,Estonia,Cyprus, Lithuania,Hungary,Malta,Poland,Romania,SloveniaorSlovakiawhichhavenotpassedaconformityassessmentcarriedoutinaccordancewithEUrequirements.

During purchase


Lithuania TheCOCisnotmandatoryinLithuania,butisoftennecessaryforregisteringthecarabroad.Ifthesellerdoesn’tprovideone,theconsumercanaskthemanufacturerforaduplicateforafee.

Luxembourg The COC is mandatory. If the seller cannot provide it, the consumer can contactthemanufacturer in his/her home country to obtain a duplicate for a fee. If themanufacturercannotprovideone,theconsumercanaskoneofthetechnicalserviceson theEuropeanCommission list if theycan supplyequivalentdocumentation forthe car (http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/automotive/approval-authorities-technical-services/technical-services/index_en.htm).

Malta TheCOCismandatory.IfnoCOCisavailablefromtheseller,theconsumercancontactthemanufacturertoobtainaduplicateforafee.

TheNetherlands

Good to know

As of 1 January 2016, cars in the Netherlands are registered onthebasisofadigitalCOCinlinewithEUrequirements.ACOCismandatory.

If the seller cannot provide a COC, the consumer can contact themanufacturerortheimporterinhis/hercountrytoobtainaduplicate,buthe/shewillhavetopayafee.IfthemanufacturercannotprovidetheCOC,theconsumercanasktheRDW–theDutchroadtrafficagency.

Norway TheCOCismandatory.WhenimportingnewvehiclesforwhichaCOCissubmitted,consumerscan,inmostcases,paythevehicletaxsimultaneouslywiththeVAT.

IfthereisnoCOCandthemanufacturercannotprovideaduplicate,theconsumermayorderonefromaprivatecompany.

Poland TheCOCismandatoryifitexistsforthevehicle.

IfthesellercannotprovideaCOC,theconsumercancontactthemanufacturerortheimporterinhis/hercountrytoobtainaduplicate,buthe/shewillhavetopayafee.

If themanufacturer cannotprovideaCOC, the consumer should get anexpert toexaminethecar,butthistypeofserviceisnotfreeofchargeandisveryrare.

During purchase


Portugal TheCOC(theoriginalfornewcars,acopyforsecond-handcars)ismandatory.IfnoCOCisavailablefromthesellerandinordertoapplyforregistration,theconsumerwillhavetocontacttheofficialbrandrepresentativeandadesignatedtechnicalservice(“Centrode InspeçãoTécnicadeVeículos”) forcars,detailsofwhichcanbe foundathttp://www.imtt.pt/sites/IMTT/Portugues/Veiculos/PesquisaCentrosInspeccao/Paginas/PesquisaCentrosInspeccao.aspx.

Romania TheCOCismandatoryfornewcarswhichare intheearlystagesoftheRomanianAutomotiveRegister(RAR)approvalprocesstoreceiveacar identitycard. It isnotneededforusedcars.IfnoCOCisavailablefromtheseller,theconsumercancontactthemanufacturerinhis/hercountryofresidence.IfthemanufacturercannotprovideaCOC,theconsumercanaskatechnicalserviceinRomaniaorinhis/herhomecountry.

Slovakia TheCOCismandatoryfornewcars.IfnoCOCisavailablefromtheseller,theconsumercancontactthemanufacturerinhis/hercountryofresidence.Feesmayapply.IfthemanufacturercannotprovideaCOC,theconsumercanaskatechnicalservicebodyinSlovakiaor inhis/hercountryofresidence,seehttp://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/automotive/approval-authorities-technical-services/technical-services/index_en.htm.

Slovenia TheCOCismandatoryifitexistsforthevehicle.Iftheconsumerdoesnothaveoneand it isnotavailable fromtheseller, theconsumercancontactthemanufacturerinhis/hercountryofresidence.Feesmayapply.IfthemanufacturercannotprovideaCOC,theconsumercanaskatechnicalserviceorganisationinSloveniaor inhis/hercountryofresidence,seehttp://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/automotive/approval-authorities-technical-services/technical-services/index_en.htm.

Spain ThesellerisnotlegallyobligedtoprovideaCOC.IfnoCOCisavailablefromtheseller,theconsumercancontactthemanufacturerinhis/hercountryofresidence.Feesmayapply.IfthemanufacturercannotprovideaCOC,theconsumercanaskatechnicalserviceinSpainorinhis/herhomecountry.

AnequivalentcanalsobeobtainedfromIDIADA(InstitutoDeInvestigaciónAplicadaDelAutomóvil)L’Albornar,43710SantaOliva(Tarragona),Spain.

Sweden The seller is not legallyobliged toprovideaCOC.ACOC isonlymandatory if thevehiclehasn’tpreviouslybeenregisteredintheEU,orifitsoriginor“originalstate”isuncertain,forinstancewhenanimportedcarshowssignsofillegalmodifications.IfnoCOCisavailablefromtheseller,theconsumercancontactthemanufacturerinhis/hercountryofresidence.IfthemanufacturercannotprovideaCOC,theconsumercanaskatechnicalserviceinSwedenorinhis/herhomecountry.

UnitedKingdom ThesellerisnotlegallyobligedtoprovideaCOC.ACOCismandatoryifthevehicleisright-handdrive.Ifthevehicleisleft-handdrive,theCOCneedstobeaccompaniedbyaCertificateofMutualRecognition.

IfnoCOCisavailablefromtheseller,theconsumercancontactthemanufacturerinhis/hercountryofresidence.IfthemanufacturercannotprovideaCOC,theconsumercanaskatechnicalserviceintheUKorinhis/herhomecountry.

http://www.imtt.pt/sites/IMTT/Portugues/Veiculos/PesquisaCentrosInspeccao/Paginas/PesquisaCentrosInspeccao.aspxhttp://www.imtt.pt/sites/IMTT/Portugues/Veiculos/PesquisaCentrosInspeccao/Paginas/PesquisaCentrosInspeccao.aspx

During purchase


Cars without a Certificate of Conformity

Article26.1ofDirective2007/46/ECforeseesthatMemberStatesregistercarsonlywhenaCOCisavailable:

“Without prejudice to the provisions of Articles 29 and 30, Member States shall register, and permit the sale or entry

into service of, vehicles only if they are accompanied by a valid certificate of conformity issued in accordance with

Article 18”.

If a car has no COC, a special national procedure needs to be undertaken in the registration country (individual reception). The Member States have provided the European Commission with details of the technical services authorised to carry out these inspections(190). Depending on the country, this procedure can be quite long and costly and consumers encounter many difficulties. Based on ECCs’ experience, simplification of these procedures seems necessary.

A national approval procedure can be launched by the manufacturer or their representative, or by theconsumer(191).

Theprocedureoftenrequiresconsumerstohavetestsperformedattheirownexpensetoestablishcomplianceofthevehicleand itsequipmentwithEuropeanstandards. If thecarhasbeenmodified,registrationoftenbecomesdifficultorevenimpossible.

However,anindividualapprovalprocedurecarriedout inthecountryofsale,mightnotberecognisedinaconsumer’shomecountry.Article24ofDirective2007/46/EC states that, “With regard toa vehiclewhichhasbeengrantedanindividualapprovalbyaMemberStateinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthisArticle,anotherMemberStateshallpermitthatvehicletobesold,registeredortoenter intoserviceunless ithasreasonablegroundstobelievethatthetechnicalprovisionsagainstwhichthevehiclewasapprovedarenotequivalenttoitsown”.

ItneedstobementionedthatcaselawfromtheEuropeanCourtofJusticehasestablishedthatincasesoftransferofregistration,aMemberStatecannotrequestaCOCinordertore-registeravehicle(192).However,presentingaCOCmayoftenfacilitatetheregistrationprocess.

(190) http://ec.europa.eu/DocsRoom/documents?tags=technical-service-auto&pageSize=30&sortCol=title&sortOrder=asc(191) Seealsopage126.(192) http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf;jsessionid=9ea7d2dc30dd247b4265f0b04f83a02ce4d8e8ce2cc2.e34KaxiLc3qMb40Rch0SaxuPbhv0?text=&docid=126425&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=lst&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=430940)

http://ec.europa.eu/DocsRoom/documents?tags=technical-service-auto&pageSize=30&sortCol=title&sortOrder=aschttp://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf;jsessionid=9ea7d2dc30dd247b4265f0b04f83a02ce4d8e8ce2cc2.e34KaxiLc3qMb40Rch0SaxuPbhv0?text=&docid=126425&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=lst&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=430940 )

During purchase


National type approval procedures

In order to collect more information on approval procedures in Europe, 17 ECCs(193) sent a questionnaire to the national approval authority identified by the Member States and listed by the European Commission(194) asthecentralauthorityfortechnicalservices.

Thequestionnairewasfocused on cars without a COCas,fromtheECCsexperience,thisistheonlysituationinwhichaconsumermightneedtogetspecificapprovalofhis/hercar.

13nationalapprovalauthoritiesansweredtheECC-Net’srequest(195). However, two of them(196) informedtheECC-Netthatthecentralauthoritywasnottherightinstitutiontocontactasitdoesnotdirectlyperformchecks(197).

ThequestionnaireconcernedvehiclecategoriesM1(198) and M2(199), as well as vehicles with or without an ECtypeapprovalnumberastheserelateonlytoaspecificcountry(E1=Germany,E2=France,etc.)andarenotnecessarilyrecognisedinotherMemberStates,seeappendixofhttp://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32007L0046&from=EN.

OnlytheapprovalauthorityinCyprusislimitedtoM1andM2vehicles.TheotherrespondentsalsodealwithothercategoriesmentionedinDirective2007/46/EC.

The national authorities intervene only if a COC is unavailable, if information ismissing in the COC or ifdiscrepanciesarefound(forexampletheCOCvaliditydatehasexpired,falseinformationhasbeenprovided,thevehiclehasbeenmodifiedcomparedtothetypeapprovedintheCOC,thecarisright-handdriveinsteadofleft-handdrive,etc.).

MostauthoritieswouldacceptthefindingsoftestsperformedbyanotherEUMemberState.Basedontheanswersprovided,onlyinItalyandtheUK(200) do foreign tests seem not to be recognised by the authorities.

TheDanishTransportAuthority(201) answered that the Directive only covers new cars and COC’s can only beissuedfornewcars.Forsecond-handcarstherefore,theymustacceptchecksconductedinotherMemberStatesandtheymightonlybeabletocheckcompliancewithspecificnationalrules(e.g.inDenmark,indicators

(193) Austria,Croatia,Cyprus,CzechRepublic,Denmark,France,Germany,Greece,Hungary,Italy,Luxemburg,Malta,Norway,Portugal,Slovenia,SwedenandUnitedKingdom.(194) http://ec.europa.eu/DocsRoom/documents/10942(195) Denmark,Germany,Greece,Croatia,Italy,Cyprus,Luxembourg,Hungary,Austria,Portugal,Slovenia,SwedenandUnitedKingdom.(196) DenmarkandGermany(197) TheGermanFederalMotorTransportAuthorityKraftfahrt-Bundesamt”(http://www.kba.de/DE/Home/home_node.html)repliedthattheyareunabletorespondtothisquestionnairesincethetestsareperformeddirectlybythetechnicalservices(81

services in total for Germany).(198) Vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of passengers and comprising no more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat.(199) Vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of passengers, comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat and having a maximummass not exceeding 5 tonnes.(200) Only the tests carried out by the Vehicle Certification Agency’s (VCA) approved technical services are accepted as proof of compliance of components or systems for the UK Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) examination.(201) http://www.trafikstyrelsen.dk/EN.aspx

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32007L0046&from=EN.http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32007L0046&from=EN.http://ec.europa.eu/DocsRoom/documents/10942http://www.kba.de/DE/Home/home_node.htmlhttp://www.trafikstyrelsen.dk/EN.aspx

During purchase


must be placed on the side of the car). The checks are carried out at private vehicle inspection facilities. TheroleoftheDanishTransportAuthorityistosupervisethesefacilities.

WhenitcomestocooperationwithotherEUapprovalauthoritiestoobtaintestresultsforcarsfromotherMemberStates,thesituationbecomesmuchmorecomplicated.

InGreece,Croatia,CyprusandSweden,theauthoritiesdonotcooperatewiththeircounterparts,whichmeanstheownerofthecarwillhavetoorganisetestsortrytoobtaintheresultsdirectlyfromthemanufactureroranotherapprovalauthority.IntheUK,theauthorityindicatedthatcooperationisonacase-by-casebasis.

Usually,theauthoritiesdonotautomaticallyrequestresultsforeverycarbroughtinanotherMemberState.However,inLuxembourg,theauthoritiesgenerallyrequestresultsforthefirstvehicleofacertaintypeandthenreusetheseresultsifothervehiclesofthesametypeareimported.Theotherrespondentsrequestthemonlyonacase-by-casebasis.

Roadworthiness testsperformed inotherMemberStatesare recognised in Luxembourg,Hungary,Austria,SloveniaandSwedenprovidedthattheyarestillvalid.Greece,Croatia,Italy,CyprusandUKdonotrecognisethem.IntheUK,aroadworthinesstest(MOT)doesnothaveanybearingontypeapprovalrequirementssowouldnotbeconsideredwhenlookingatthisaspect(however,anM1vehicleover3yearsoldwouldrequireaUKMOTbeforebeingregisteredasproofofroadworthiness;anM2/3vehiclewouldneedoneafter1year).

Testsperformed for categoriesM1andM2differ. ThedifferencesareestablishedbyEU rulesonapprovalrequirementsinDirective2007/46/EC.

AlmostalltestslistedinAnnex4ofDirective2007/46/ECareperformedunlessfindingsarealreadyavailableoraEuropeantypeapprovalexists.AuthoritiesinCroatiaandCyprusdonotautomaticallyrequestthatallofthetestsbeperformed.Unfortunately,respondentsdidn’tindicatewhichteststheyundertakemostoftenoutofthe58possiblecontrolpoints,except in the case of Croatia where the tests performed most frequently are emissions,braking,noise,seatbelts,lightingandlightsignallingdevices,wheelsandtyres.

During purchase


ECCsalsoenquiredaboutthecostsofsuchtests. InHungary,theminimumcostsareHUF8000HUF(EUR26)fortheapprovalprocessandHUF22800

(EUR73)forthepermitofentryintoservice.

InCroatia,theconformitycheckprocedureisstandardisedwhetherthecarhasaCOCornot(EUR90). InLuxembourg,costs range fromEUR50toEUR470 (forcarswithaCOCbutneedingan individual

approvalprocedure).ForcarswithoutaCOC,costsrangefromEUR85toEUR505.

IntheUK,individualvehicleapprovalinspectionfees(202)dependonthetypeofcar,testsrequired,etc..AveragecostsrangefromGBP100forvehicleswithmutualrecognitionorEC-approvedvehicleswithoutaCOCtoGBP250forM2categoryvehicles.

InPortugal,vehicletypeapprovalcertificationcostsEUR160. InAustria,costsvaryfromEUR180(forcarswithaCOCandforasimpleconsultationofthedatabase)

to EUR 280 (for carswithout a COC). These costs do not necessarily includemore specific tests oradministrativeprocedures.

In Italy,pricesvarydependingonwhetheraCOC isavailableornot.Theprice list isavailableat theMinistryofTransportwebsite(203).

InSlovenia,thetechnicalserviceshavepricelists. InSweden,thepricesaresetbythetechnicalservices(nopricelistisavailable).

Themainconcernofconsumersinthissituationisusuallythepriceofthetests.Unfortunately,pricesareoftennotpubliclyavailableandthosethatarepublisheddonotgenerallytakeaccountofthewholeprocess.

In practice, when a COC is unavailable, the registration service in the consumer’s country may requestsupplementarytestsforoneorseveralofthe58technicalrequirements.

Thesecondconcernisusuallyfindingoutwhentheconsumercanstartusingthecar.Obviously,theconsumerneedstomakeanappointment,butonceonsite,howlongdoessuchatesttakeonaverage?

Croatia:approx.40minutes. Luxembourg:+/-45minuteswithanappointment,1to3hourswithout. UK:anIVAtesttakesapproximately2hours. Austria:generally1to4weeks. Greece:approximately2months.However,forimportapprovals,thecompetentservicetriestocomplete

thetaskwithinafewdays.

Slovenia:case-by-case. Howlongdoes ittakefortheconsumertoreceiveanapprovaldocumentsothatthevehiclecanbe

registered?

Croatia,Luxembourg,Austria,SwedenandUK:immediatelyaftertheappointmentifeverythingisfineandthefileiscomplete.

(202) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/individual-vehicle-approval-inspection-fees/individual-vehicle-approval-iva-inspection-fees-from-1-october-2014#iva-passenger-vehicles(203) https://www.ilportaledellautomobilista.it/tariffario/app?service=page&page=Home

https://www.ilportaledellautomobilista.it/tariffario/app?service=page&page=Home

During purchase


Slovenia:itdependsonwhetheralloftherequireddocumentsareprovided. Hungary:noapprovaldocumentisissuedafterthetest.Aftertheapprovalprocessortechnicalcheck,a

technicaldatasheetisissued.TheconsumerhastotakethistotheNationalTaxandCustomsAdministrationtopaytheregistrationtax.Thelaststepistogotoanadministrativeofficetoregisterthevehicle.

Italy:3months.

A Belgianconsumerboughta second-handcar fromaBelgiancardealer.ThecarhadbeenimportedfromFranceandequippedwithatrailer.TheconsumerreceivedaduplicateoftheCOCissuedinFrance.AstheconsumerlivedpartofthetimeinSpain,hehadtoregisterhiscarthere.ToberegisteredinSpain,thecarhadtopassthetechnicalinspection,buttheSpanishauthorityrefusedregistrationbecausethetrailer’sapprovalnumberdidnotmatchwiththatontheCOC.AftertheECCcontactedtheFrenchmanufacturer,itbecameclearthatthetrailerwasnottheoriginal,buthadbeeninstalledafterwardsbythecardealer.Theconsumerwasadvisedtocontactthecardealershiptoaskthemtocoverthereplacementcosts.

During purchase


A Frenchconsumerpurchasedasecond-handcarintheNetherlands.ThiscarhadinitiallyrunonregularfuelbuthadbeenmodifiedtorunonLPGintheNetherlands.TheconsumertriedtoregisterthecarinFrancebutwithoutsuccesseventhoughhehadaCOC.AstheLPGsystemhadbeeninstalledafterthedateonwhichtheCOCwasissued,theFrenchadministrationrequireddocumentationrelatedtotheLPGinstallation. The consumer contacted the seller, the company thatprovidedtheCOCandanofficialrepresentativeofthemanufacturerintheNetherlandsbutnoneofthemcouldhelp.HethencontactedtheECC-NetforassistanceinobtainingtherightdocumentstoregisterthecarinFrance.

TheDutchECCcontactedthetraderwhoinstalledtheLPGsysteminthe car. Theywerewilling to fill in the technical documents for theconsumer,buttheconsumerwouldhavetogototheNetherlandsandpayEUR300.WhentheECCaskedfortestresults,theywereredirectedto themanufacturer of the LPG systemwhogave them the contactdetailsoftheimporteranddistributorofthesystemsinFrance.

TheconsumerwasaskedtopayanotherEUR400forcertificationoftheLPGsystemsothatthecarcouldberegisteredinFrance.HedoesnotwanttopayanythingfurtherandwillsubmitacomplainttotheFrenchadministrationandto theEuropeanCommission.Thecase isstillpending.

During purchase


The national approval procedure to be followed by French consumers

AsstatedinthesectiononCOCs,inFrance,intheabsenceofaCOC,consumersmustcontactDREALtorequestnationalapproval(204),thecostofwhichisaboutEUR90.

DREALmay then require further tests(205) forwhich consumerswill be sent toUTAC(206)-OTC(207). The entireprocedurecanlastupto6months.

InFrance, aministerial decisionof16March2011 requires that carswithout a COC comply with certain standards in at least five areas(braking system, driver rear vision, devices for indirect vision, noiseemissionandelectromagneticcompatibility).

Thedecisionstatesthat, ifdocumentsaremissing,DREALcanrequestthe results of any tests performed from their counterparts in otherMemberStates.Theconsumershouldbeinformedaboutthisrequest.IfthetestresultsarenotavailableortheFrenchauthoritiesconsidertheminsufficient,supplementarytestshavetobeperformedbyUTAC-OTC.

Thetestscanbeparticularlyexpensive(overEUR1500inthecaseofsomeconsumerswhosubmittedcomplaintstoECCFrance.Tothisshouldbeaddedthecostsoftransporttotheinspectioncentre,accommodationandanymodificationstothevehicle.Forsecond-handvehicles,thetotalcostsareoftendisproportionatetothevalueofthecar.ThesetestsarerequiredevenifsafetyandenvironmentalinspectionshavealreadybeencarriedoutinotherMemberStatesandtheresultsareavailabletotheFrenchauthorities.

Insomecases,consumerscomplainedthatthemodificationsweredisproportionatewithsafetyrequirementsandthattheauthoritiesdidnotprovethatthevehiclewasasafetyrisk.MostofthecaseswererelatedtovehiclespurchasedjustovertheborderinGermanyorBelgium,afewkilometresfromwherebuyerslived.ConsumersgenerallydonotagreewiththesafetyrequirementsaspeoplefromotherMemberStatescoulddrivethesamecarsinFrancewithoutanyrestrictionsaslongastheyhadvalidinsuranceanddocumentation.

(204) http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/La-reception-individuelle-ou.html(205) Seepage125forcarswithoutaCOC.(206) Uniontechniquedel‘automobile,dumotocycleetducycle(207) http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/automotive/approval-authorities-technical-services/technical-services/index_en.htm

https://www.ilportaledellautomobilista.it/tariffario/app?service=page&page=Homehttp://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/automotive/approval-authorities-technical-services/technical-services/index_en.htm

During purchase


A Frenchconsumerfoundaninterestingadvertforahigh-valuecar.Aftercorrespondingwiththetrader,hepaidadepositofEUR500bybank transfer. The trader thenprovideda copyof theLithuanianregistration certificate and informed the consumer that the caroriginallycamefromtheUSA.TheconsumertriedtoobtainaCOCfromthemanufacturer’s representative inFrancebut itwasnotavailableforthatkindofcar.WithoutaCOC,thecarwouldneedtoundergoanationalapprovalprocedure.Sotheconsumeraskedforcancellationofthesaleandrefundofthedepositbasedonthecoolingoffrightandthefactthatessentialinformationhadbeenheldback.Unfortunately,nosolutioncouldbefoundwiththeseller.

A French consumerpurchased a second-hand car fromaGermandealer but only received a copy of the purchase contract. TheFrench authorities requested an original contract, otherwise theconsumerwouldbeunabletoregisterthecarinFrance.ECCGermanycontactedthedealership,theconsumerreceivedtheoriginalcontractbypostandwasfinallyabletoregisterthecar.

During purchase


A Frenchconsumerpurchasedasecond-handminivanfromaGermansellerwhodidnotprovideaCOC,onlyapartialattestationofidentificationfromthemanufacturer.

Thismodifiedvehiclewasputontotheroadin2005andregisteredinGermanywithoutanydifficultiesbasedonanindividualapprovalwithavaliditylimitedtoGermany.TheconsumergotintouchwiththeFrenchauthorities(DREAL)whorequestedmuchmoreinformationbecausetheinsideofthevanhadbeenchangedandsubsequentlyrefusedregistrationasonlytheoriginalpartsofthevehiclecompliedwiththestandardsrequiredforapprovalinFrance.DREALrequestedaconformityassessmentofthepartofthevehicletransformedinGermanyandsupportingdocuments.TheyarguedthataGermantechnicalinspectioncentrehadnotcheckedtheconformityassessmentandtheabsenceofdetailsofthetechnical assessment meant that the vehicle could not be approved. DREALcontactedthecompetentauthorityinGermany,buttheycouldnotprovideanyfurther information.Theyalso tried to contact thecompanywhichmade themodificationsinordertoobtainfurtherdocuments,butwereunsuccessful.EvenECCGermanywasunabletoobtainfurtherinformationfromthecompany.AlorryroadworthinesstestwascarriedoutinFranceanddidnotrevealanydefects,butDREALcontinuedto insist thatthecompanywhichmadethetransformationsprovidedetailsofthetests.Theconsumercontactedthecompetentoutofcourtsettlementofdisputesbody forclaimsagainstadministration,which isalsoamemberof theSOLVITnetwork.TheoutofcourtbodyruledthatDREALhadactedinlinewithFrenchlaw.Theonlyoptionnowfortheconsumeristohirealawyer.

According to a partial conformity attestation from the French representativeof themanufacturer, the only differences between the vehicle and amodelwhichiswellknowninFranceconcernthecamberangleandthesteering.TheattestationfromtheGermantechnicalinspectionmakesitclearthattestswerecarriedoutregardingeverysinglesafetyaspectrequiredbyDREAL,butDREALcontinuestoinsistonobtainingthetechnicaltestreports(approvalcertificateanditsannexes).However,basedontheEuropeanCommission interpretativecommunicationonproceduresfortheregistrationofmotorvehiclesoriginatinginanotherMemberState(2007/C68/04),ifthevehiclewasalreadyregisteredinGermanyinaccordancewithGermantechnicalrequirements,registrationmayonlyberefusedifitposesarealsafetyrisk.

After purchase


Driving the car home

Usually, when the car is delivered to the consumer, the registration plates have already been taken off orinvalidated.

Iftheconsumerwishestodrivethecarhome,he/shewillneedplatesonthecar.Temporaryplates,suchastransitplatesorexportplates,areanoption.

Temporary plates

Transit plates are temporary number plates that enable the consumer to drive the car to the country in whichitistoberegisteredinordertogetnationallicenceplates.However,theyarenotavailableinallcountries

Iftheconsumeroptsfortransitplates,theyshouldbeobtainedinthecountrywherethecarhasbeenpurchased.Often,sellersmaybeabletohelporgiveadviceonhowtodothis.

After purchase

After purchase


But where can transit plates be obtained? What documentation needs to be provided? How much do theycost?Howlongdoestheapplicationproceduretake?Forhowlongaretheyvalid?Aretheyonlyvalidinthecountryofpurchaseorcantheconsumercrossborderswiththem?(208)

National provisions for transit plates are detailed below. Whether they are accepted for crossing borders ordrivingthroughthirdcountriesonthewayhomedependsonnationalrules.

According to Commission Communication SEC/2007/0169 final, Member States should recognise temporary registration certificates issued by other Member States for the identification of vehicles in international traffic provided that the driver carries Part I of the registration certificate pursuant to Article 5(1) of Directive 1999/37/EC on the registration documents for vehicles(209), if the temporary registration certificate does not differ, or only slightly differs from the model set out in the Directive.

Ifthetransitplates/registrationcertificatearevalidandissuedbyanEUadministration,itshouldberecognisedby any other EU country (article 4.2 of Interpretative communication on procedures for the registrationof motor vehicles originating in another Member State: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/T

Documents

Is a technical inspection required for registration in the ... · Is a technical inspection required for registration in the consumer’s country of residence? No. Yes, the consumer