Glossary
EEA CO2 Registration
The European Environment Agency's central dataset of CO2 emissions for every new car registered in the EU.
Definition
Each EU member state reports to the European Environment Agency, for every new car registered, the model, mass, fuel type, and certified CO2 emissions figure. The agency consolidates the national feeds into a single annual dataset published openly under EU open-data terms. The dataset is the basis for the EU's fleet-average CO2 targets, which manufacturers must meet across all cars sold in a given year or face significant fines. For a vehicle history buyer, the EEA CO2 record is useful as a cross-check: a car claimed to be a particular trim should match the registered CO2 emissions for that trim. Mismatches indicate either misadvertisement or an aftermarket modification (chip tune, DPF removal) that voids type approval.
Why it matters when buying a used car
A car whose listed CO2 figure does not match the EEA-registered figure for its declared model and year was either re-trimmed, modified, or misadvertised — all three matter for resale value and low-emission-zone access.
Often confused with
Type approval
The certification process that authorises a new vehicle type for sale in a given market. EU type approval (WVTA) is recognised across all EU member states.
OBFCM
EU-mandated on-board device that records real-world fuel consumption on every new car. Data is collected by the European Environment Agency.
CoP
The regulator's ongoing audit that verifies every car coming off the line still matches the approved type, not just the test sample.