Datenblatt: the manufacturer's technical data sheet

TÜV/DEKRA cannot conduct the § 21 StVZO inspection without the Datenblatt — a VIN-specific technical document from the manufacturer. Request it early: delivery takes 1–6 weeks.

✓ Verified: 15/08/2026

WHAT TO DO

Find the VIN (17 characters — windscreen, door frame or documents)

Contact the official German importer or manufacturer — state '§ 21 StVZO Einzelabnahme'
Receive the Datenblatt — verify the VIN matches your vehicle

DOCUMENTS 1

Datenblatt des Fahrzeugherstellers (VIN-specific technical data sheet)

COSTS

€

Datenblatt from manufacturer €50–300

Japanese manufacturers (Toyota, Honda) tend to be more expensive; VW, BMW, Mercedes usually €50–100
€

Datenblatt sourced by TÜV/DEKRA €150–400 extra

If the manufacturer doesn't respond directly, some inspection bodies will source it themselves

Start this in parallel with customs

The Datenblatt has the longest lead time of anything in this process — 1 to 6 weeks. Request it at the same time as your customs declaration, not after.

How to make the request

Locate your VIN (17 characters — bottom corner of the windscreen, driver’s door frame, or vehicle documents). Then write to the official German importer:

Subject: Datenblatt für § 21 StVZO Einzelabnahme — VIN: [...]

Include: VIN, make, model, year, purpose (individual approval § 21 StVZO).

If the manufacturer goes quiet

TÜV↗/DEKRA↗ can often source the Datenblatt through their own industry channels, for an additional fee. This is the path of least resistance when direct requests fail.

› Details and tips

👨🏻‍💻

Max recommends:

I emailed Toyota Deutschland — reply within three days, €95 bank transfer, PDF in German one week later. No unnecessary phone calls.

👩🏼‍💼

Lea recommends:

My car was from Japan. The Japanese Mitsubishi contact never replied. The TÜV inspector offered to source the Datenblatt himself for an extra €180. I agreed — saved my sanity.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Datenblatt and why does the TÜV inspector need it? ▾

The Datenblatt is a VIN-specific document listing all of the manufacturer's defined technical parameters for your exact vehicle: engine, transmission, axle loads, braking values, lighting requirements, emissions. The inspector compares your actual car against these specs. Without the Datenblatt there's no benchmark — and no inspection.

How do I request the Datenblatt? ▾

In writing to the official German importer of the brand. Subject line: 'Datenblatt für § 21 StVZO Einzelabnahme, VIN: [...]'. Include: VIN, make, model, year, purpose. Response time: 2–10 working days.

What if the manufacturer doesn't respond? ▾

Options: (1) Ask TÜV/DEKRA to source the Datenblatt through their own channels (for an extra fee); (2) Query the KBA (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt) if the vehicle was ever approved in Europe; (3) Commission an independent expert's report as a substitute. Discuss with TÜV before filing the formal request.