How to Request a European Certificate of Conformity (COC) in Madrid: Free Template

If you have imported a vehicle into Spain or are planning to register a foreign car in Madrid, you will likely be asked for the European Certificate of Conformity (COC). This document is the official manufacturer's declaration that your vehicle meets the technical standards required by the European Union. Without it, the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) may refuse your registration. This article provides a practical guide and a ready-to-use template to help you request this document from the manufacturer or their authorized representative.

Instructions on how and where to submit it in Madrid

To obtain your COC, you must contact the official brand representative for your vehicle make in Spain. In Madrid, many major manufacturers have their headquarters or authorized dealerships that handle these requests. You generally do not submit this to the DGT directly, but rather to the manufacturer to receive the document, which you then present during the vehicle inspection (ITV) or registration process.

• Step 1: Identify the official importer or brand representative in Spain.
• Step 2: Fill out the template below with your vehicle's specific details, which can be found on the vehicle's chassis plate.
• Step 3: Send the request via email or registered post (Burofax is recommended for official proof of delivery) to the manufacturer's customer service department.
• Step 4: Once you receive the document, keep the original safe, as it will be required at the ITV station in Madrid to obtain your Spanish technical card (Ficha Técnica).

A LA ATENCIÓN DEL DEPARTAMENTO DE HOMOLOGACIONES / SERVICIO AL CLIENTE

ASUNTO: Solicitud de Certificado de Conformidad (COC)

Yo, [Nombre y Apellidos], con DNI/NIE [Número de identificación], con domicilio a efectos de notificaciones en [Dirección completa en Madrid], en calidad de propietario del vehículo que se detalla a continuación:

DATOS DEL VEHÍCULO:
Marca: [Marca]
Modelo: [Modelo]
Número de Bastidor (VIN): [Número de 17 dígitos]
Matrícula actual: [Matrícula]

Por medio de la presente, SOLICITO formalmente la emisión y envío del Certificado de Conformidad Europeo (COC) correspondiente a este vehículo, necesario para el proceso de matriculación/inspección técnica en España.

Adjunto a este escrito envío copia de mi documento de identidad y copia de la documentación técnica del vehículo en mi poder.

Quedo a la espera de sus instrucciones para realizar el pago de las tasas correspondientes, si las hubiera, y recibir el documento en la dirección arriba indicada.

En Madrid, a [Día] de [Mes] de [Año].

Fdo: [Firma]

Additional documentation required

When you send your request to the manufacturer, ensure you have the following scanned documents ready, as they are mandatory for the request to be processed:

• A clear copy of your DNI, NIE, or Passport.
• The original registration document from the country of origin (Permiso de Circulación).
• A photo or rubbing of the VIN (chassis number) plate located on the vehicle.
• Proof of ownership (Purchase contract or invoice if the vehicle is not yet registered in your name).

Expert Tip: Always verify if your car was originally manufactured for the EU market. If your vehicle is a non-EU import (e.g., from the USA or Japan), a standard COC might not be available. In that specific scenario, you will need a "Ficha Reducida" issued by a qualified engineer in Madrid instead of a COC. Always check with a local ITV station in Madrid (such as those in Leganés, Getafe, or Las Rozas) before paying any fees to the manufacturer to ensure you are requesting the correct paperwork for your specific case.