General Terms & Conditions
Homologation Service

Provider Identity

These General Terms and Conditions ("GTC") govern the homologation mandate service provided by:

These GTC apply to any natural or legal person ("Client") who entrusts Toprank Europe with the management of a vehicle homologation procedure in France or Germany. By signing or accepting a mandate, the Client acknowledges having read and accepted these terms in their entirety.

Scope of Services

Toprank Europe offers a vehicle homologation mandate service covering the administrative and technical steps required to obtain French or German road registration for vehicles originally type-approved outside the EU (primarily Japan-spec vehicles) or for EU-type vehicles re-imported from Japan.

Covered procedures include: DREAL RTI (Réception à Titre Isolé), UTAC emission equivalence tests, German TÜV Einzelabnahme, EU Certificate of Conformity (COC) procurement, FFVE collection attestation (France only), AVDT (Attestation de Vérification des Données Techniques), and all associated administrative formalities with registration authorities (préfecture, Zulassungsstelle).

German registration (Zulassungsstelle) is carried out by an approved third-party registration service upon approval by the competent German authority. Toprank Europe coordinates and instructs this process on the Client's behalf but does not perform the registration directly. Final German registration is subject to the approval of the Zulassungsstelle and the availability of the third-party service. Toprank Europe cannot be held liable for any refusal, delay, or unavailability of German registration services, which are performed by independent third parties outside Toprank Europe's direct control.

Obligation of Means

Toprank Europe commits to an obligation of means, not an obligation of results. The granting of homologation approval is the exclusive prerogative of the competent authorities (DREAL, UTAC, TÜV, Zulassungsstelle). Toprank Europe cannot guarantee that homologation will be obtained, regardless of the effort deployed.

Toprank Europe undertakes to carry out the mandate diligently, professionally, and in the best interests of the Client, keeping the Client regularly informed of progress and any obstacles encountered.

In particular, Toprank Europe assumes no liability for the refusal, delay, or unavailability of German registration (Zulassungsstelle) services, which are performed by independent third parties outside Toprank Europe's direct control.

Packages and Management Fees

All prices are inclusive of French VAT (TTC). The packages and fees below are standard rates published for information purposes. Toprank Europe reserves the right to adjust the scope of services and/or the management fee in the quote issued to the Client, based on the specific characteristics of the vehicle, the complexity of the procedure, or any other factor identified during the feasibility assessment. The pricing and scope binding on both parties are exclusively those set out in the signed quote. No adjustment may be made after the quote has been signed.

The "Toprank Client Rate" applies exclusively to Clients who purchased the vehicle through Toprank Europe. All other mandates are invoiced at the Public Rate. The JDM Classic package is available for France only. Management fees cover all Toprank Europe coordination, administrative, and consulting work.

Costs Borne by the Client

The management fee covers all Toprank Europe coordination, administrative, and consulting work. No additional costs apply if the vehicle passes its technical inspection (TÜV, CT, or DREAL) without requiring any intervention.

However, on all packages and routes, if the vehicle requires any of the following to pass inspection, the corresponding costs are invoiced to the Client at actual cost:

• Maintenance work (fluids, brakes, consumables, etc.)
• Tyre replacement
• Lighting modifications
• Removal or replacement of aftermarket parts
• Any other technical modification required by the inspecting authority

For the European from Japan — RTI route specifically: the Certificate of Conformity (COC) is paid directly by the Client. If UTAC testing is required, transport and test costs are also invoiced to the Client at actual cost.

All costs borne by the Client are communicated in advance with supporting documentation before any work is committed.

Post-2006 Vehicles — Warning

For vehicles first registered after 1 January 2006, EU emission standards (Euro 4 and subsequent) apply. Most JDM vehicles in this category do not have validated emission reference data recognized by French authorities. UTAC equivalence tests are typically required and several sessions may be necessary.

The Client acknowledges this uncertainty and accepts that management fees remain due even if the vehicle ultimately cannot be homologated due to emission non-compliance.

GVWR and Seat Count

Japanese road vehicles use a GVWR calculation based on 55 kg per passenger. French regulations use 75 kg per passenger. When DREAL recalculates the maximum permitted occupancy against the vehicle's original GVWR, the number of authorized seats may be reduced. A Japanese 5-seat vehicle may be re-classified as 3 or 4 seats in France.

This consequence is regulatory and cannot be avoided or waived. By accepting these GTC, the Client acknowledges this risk.

Vehicles with Increased Complexity

Certain vehicle types or configurations present increased complexity and/or higher probability of refusal. These include, without limitation:

• Vehicles with rare or low-volume powertrains with no UTAC reference data
• Left-hand-drive variants of models sold right-hand-drive in the EU
• High-performance or turbocharged vehicles with emissions significantly above Euro 4 standards
• Vehicles with extensive factory options differing from EU-market variants

Toprank Europe will identify these cases during the feasibility assessment and advise accordingly.

Right to Refuse

Toprank Europe reserves the right to refuse any mandate without obligation to justify the refusal, including but not limited to vehicles that:

• Have had an engine swap or replacement with a non-original unit
• Are designated as track-only or competition vehicles not approved for road use
• Have structural modifications affecting safety certification
• Have undergone right-to-left steering conversion
• Have a salvage, total-loss, or equivalent title in any jurisdiction

Client Obligations

The Client undertakes to:

• Provide complete, accurate, and authentic documentation relating to the vehicle
• Disclose any known modifications, damage history, or irregularities
• Make the vehicle available for transport or inspection as required
• Respond promptly to requests for information or documents
• Pay management fees before procedures begin

The Client is responsible for any delay or additional cost resulting from incomplete, inaccurate, or late documentation.

Vehicle Insurance

Client Insurance Obligation: The Client is solely responsible for maintaining valid insurance on the vehicle throughout the entire duration of the mandate, in accordance with Article L. 211-1 of the French Code des assurances. This obligation applies whether the vehicle is in circulation, parked, or temporarily held at Toprank Europe's premises or at a partner workshop. Toprank Europe cannot be held responsible for any loss, damage, or liability arising from the Client's failure to maintain adequate insurance coverage.

Toprank Europe Operational Coverage: Toprank Europe holds a professional civil liability insurance policy covering vehicle movements and test drives carried out by Toprank Europe personnel strictly within the scope of the mandate. This coverage applies solely to actions taken by Toprank Europe in the execution of the mandate.

Insurance Claims — Procedural Agreement: In the event of an incident during the mandate, the Client agrees to declare any claim to their own insurer in the first instance. The Client acknowledges that the determination of liability and the settlement of insurance claims remain governed exclusively by French law (Code des assurances, Loi Badinter, and inter-insurer conventions) and cannot be altered by the terms of this agreement. Toprank Europe's liability remains subject to the limitations set out in Article 16.

Payment Terms

Management fees are due in full before Toprank Europe initiates any procedures with authorities or third parties. An invoice is issued upon mandate acceptance. Any costs borne by the Client (Article 5) are invoiced separately, with prior documentation, before any commitment is made. Payment is by bank transfer to Toprank Europe's account.

Homologation Failure

If the competent authority issues a refusal upon completion of the homologation procedure, management fees already paid are non-refundable, as they remunerate Toprank Europe's work and expertise regardless of the outcome.

Toprank Europe will provide all refusal documentation to the Client and discuss available options (appeal, alternative routes, technical modifications).

Cancellation and Right of Withdrawal

Consumers only (B2C): Pursuant to Article L.221-18 of the French Consumer Code, Clients who are natural persons acting outside of a professional capacity have a 14-day right of withdrawal from the date of mandate acceptance, provided no procedures have been initiated. To exercise this right, notify Toprank Europe by email at info@toprankeurope.com within 14 days.

If services begin before the 14-day period expires at the Client's express request and the Client subsequently withdraws, a flat administrative fee of €150 will be deducted from the refund.

Once administrative or technical procedures have been initiated, management fees are non-refundable. Professional Clients (B2B) have no right of withdrawal.

Timeframes

All timeframes communicated by Toprank Europe are purely indicative and carry no contractual value. They may vary based on authority workload, appointment availability, COC delivery times, and other factors outside Toprank Europe's control. No liability may be sought against Toprank Europe for any delay in obtaining homologation approval.

Limitation of Liability

Toprank Europe's liability is strictly limited to the management fees effectively received for the mandate in question. Toprank Europe cannot be held liable for any direct or indirect damages including loss of use, loss of profit, costs of alternative transport, or any other consequential harm.

Toprank Europe is not liable for errors or delays attributable to third parties (UTAC, TÜV, DREAL, Zulassungsstelle, transport providers, manufacturers) or to the Client's failure to provide timely or accurate documentation.

Personal Data Protection

Toprank Europe processes personal data (name, contact details, vehicle information) for the sole purpose of performing the homologation mandate. Data is retained for the duration of the mandate and for 3 years after completion in accordance with applicable legal obligations.

Clients have the right to access, rectify, delete, or restrict processing of their personal data by contacting info@toprankeurope.com. Complaints may be filed with the CNIL (Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés).

Consumer Mediation

In the event of a dispute, the Client may contact the following approved consumer mediator free of charge:

This option is available to Consumers only, within one year of the initial written complaint to Toprank Europe.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These GTC are governed by French law. Any dispute which cannot be resolved amicably or through mediation will be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of Strasbourg. For B2B Clients, this clause applies without restriction. For B2C Consumers, it applies where permitted by applicable mandatory consumer protection law.

Miscellaneous

If any provision of these GTC is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force. Toprank Europe reserves the right to modify these GTC at any time; the version applicable to a mandate is the one in force at the date of mandate acceptance.

Acceptance