For years, the Certificate of Authenticity was the standard way to prove how a Porsche left the factory: its original color, options and engine number. Porsche has since replaced it with two documents. If a buyer asks for a "COA" today, one of these is what you can provide.
Key numbers
- Status
- Discontinued. Porsche says the Production Specification replaces it.
- Production Specification
- Shows the car's factory configuration at delivery. No inspection needed.
- Classic Technical Certificate
- Adds a technician's inspection and confirms whether the engine matches. For cars out of production 10 years or more.
- Reported prices
- About $150 and $500, according to owners. Porsche asks you to confirm with a dealer.
What replaced the Certificate of Authenticity
Porsche states that the Porsche Production Specification replaces the previous Porsche Certificate of Authenticity. Alongside it, Porsche Classic offers a more detailed document, the Classic Technical Certificate.
| Document | What it shows | Inspection? |
|---|---|---|
| Production Specification | Factory configuration at delivery: VIN, model year and type, production date and original specification | No |
| Classic Technical Certificate | Original vehicle data, plus the engine number now in the car and whether it matches, with photos and a technician's assessment | Yes, by a certified Porsche Classic technician |
As described by Porsche Cars North America, checked October 2026.
Which one do you need?
- For most modern Porsches, the Production Specification is enough. It confirms options and original colors when the window sticker is missing.
- For classic and collector cars, the Classic Technical Certificate carries more weight, because it confirms whether the engine matches the factory record. Porsche offers it for vehicles that have been out of standard production for at least 10 years.
Old Certificates of Authenticity that came with a car are still useful history. Keep them with the records.
How to get one and what it costs
The Classic Technical Certificate is arranged through a certified Porsche Classic Partner or an eligible Porsche dealer, where the car is inspected. The Production Specification is ordered through Porsche without an inspection.
Porsche doesn't publish prices and asks owners to check with a Classic service consultant. Owners on the Rennlist forum reported paying about $150 for the Production Specification and $500 for the Classic Technical Certificate in 2024.
Why it matters when you sell
Buyers of Porsches pay for configuration: the right options, an original color, a matching engine. A factory document turns those claims into facts, which matters most for Paint to Sample cars, GT models and air-cooled 911s.
Order it before you list, since it can take time to arrive. The 911 seller's guide lists the other documents buyers expect.
Common questions
Can you still get a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity?
No. Porsche says the Porsche Production Specification replaces the previous Certificate of Authenticity.
What is a Porsche Production Specification?
A document from Porsche showing a car's factory configuration at delivery, including the VIN, model year and type, production date and original specification.
What is a Porsche Classic Technical Certificate?
A more detailed document for older Porsches that includes an inspection by a certified Porsche Classic technician and confirms whether the engine matches factory records.
How much does a Porsche Production Specification cost?
Porsche doesn't publish a price. Owners reported paying about $150 in 2024, so confirm the current price with a Porsche dealer.
Sources
- Porsche Cars North America: Porsche Classic Technical Certificate
- Rennlist: COA no longer available, replaced with other documents from Porsche (2024)
Figures were checked against these sources in October 2026. Prices change, so confirm before relying on them.