Understanding V5C Registration Documents: Complete UK Guide

The V5C certificate (logbook) is one of the most important documents when buying a car in the UK. This guide explains everything you need to know about V5C documents, from checking authenticity to transferring ownership correctly.

What is a V5C?

The Basics

Official Name: V5C Registration Certificate (Vehicle Logbook)

Purpose:

• Proves you're the registered keeper (NOT legal owner)
• Contains vehicle specifications
• Required for road tax, insurance, selling
• Links vehicle to DVLA records

Important: The V5C keeper is not necessarily the legal owner. If you're financing a car, the finance company owns it, but you're the registered keeper.

What's On a V5C Certificate?

Document Sections

Section 1: Vehicle Details

• Registration number
• Make and model
• Colour
• Date of first registration
• Engine size and fuel type
• CO2 emissions
• Vehicle weight

Section 2: Current Keeper Details

• Full name
• Complete address
• Date became keeper

Section 3: Previous Keeper

• Shows if car recently changed hands
• Helps verify seller information

Section 4-11: Various administrative sections for changes (keeper, address, scrapping, etc.)

Security Features

Genuine V5C documents have:

• Watermark - "DVL" visible when held to light
• Multi-coloured background
• Hologram - Steering wheel on newer versions
• Paper quality - Thick, official paper stock
• Serial number - Unique reference number
• Printed barcode
• DVLA blue background

Checking a V5C Document

Before Buying: Essential Checks

1. Verify Document Matches Car

Check these match:

• Registration plate
• VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
• Make and model
• Colour (if changed, should show on V5C)
• Engine size

2. Check Current Keeper

Verify:

• Seller's name matches V5C
• Address matches seller's ID
• Signature will be needed

3. Examine Document Condition

Red flags:

• Torn or damaged
• Water damaged
• Looks altered or tampered with
• Handwriting changes
• Corrections or crossings-out
• Recently issued (check dates)

4. Check Issue Date

Why it matters:

• Old car + recently issued V5C = suspicious
• Might indicate:
  • Clocking (mileage fraud)
  • Imported vehicle
  • Previously scrapped
  • Stolen recovery
  • Cloned vehicle

Example:

• 2015 car
• V5C issued January 2025
• Red flag! Why was new V5C needed?

Legitimate reasons for recent V5C:

• Lost original
• Address change
• Name change
• Imported vehicle
• Damaged original

Always ask why if V5C is recently issued.

Green Slip (V5C/2)

If buying from dealer, they might only have:

• Green slip (new keeper supplement)
• This is acceptable for dealers
• Full V5C sent to you by DVLA within 2 weeks

If private sale:

• Should have full V5C
• Green slip only = suspicious
• Ask why they don't have full document

Transferring Ownership

When Buying From Private Seller

Seller's Responsibilities:

1. Complete Section 6 (transfer to new keeper):

   • New keeper's full name
   • New keeper's address
   • Date of sale
   • Sale price (optional but recommended)

2. Sign Section 8

   • Seller's signature
   • Date

3. Tear off and give you:

   • V5C/2 green slip (new keeper supplement)
   • You keep this as proof

4. Seller posts remaining V5C to DVLA:

   • DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA
   • Within 24 hours of sale

Buyer's Responsibilities:

1. Keep V5C/2 green slip safe

2. Complete V5C/2:

   • Your name
   • Your address
   • Date you became keeper
   • Your signature

3. Send V5C/2 to DVLA:

   • DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA
   • Within 2 weeks is advisable

4. Receive new V5C:

   • DVLA sends within 4-6 weeks
   • In your name
   • Keep safe

When Buying From Dealer

Dealer Process:

1. Dealer completes paperwork

2. You provide:

   • Full name
   • Current address
   • Signature

3. Dealer sends to DVLA

4. You receive V5C in 2-6 weeks

Always confirm:

• Dealer will handle DVLA notification
• Get receipt showing they'll transfer
• Note V5C "in progress"

Online V5C Transfer

DVLA Online Service

Faster, easier option: Online notification

How it works:

1. Seller uses V5C/2 reference number (green slip)

2. Goes to gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle

3. Enters:

   • V5C/2 reference
   • V5C document reference
   • Vehicle registration
   • Your details

4. Confirms sale online

5. You get email confirmation

6. New V5C posted to you

Benefits:

• Instant DVLA notification
• Faster processing
• Proof of transaction
• No risk of lost post

You can also notify online:

• Use gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle
• Enter details from V5C/2
• Confirm you're new keeper

Common V5C Issues

Issue 1: No V5C Available

Seller says:

• "Lost it"
• "It's at home"
• "In the post"
• "Don't have it yet"

Your response: DO NOT BUY until V5C is present.

Why:

• Can't verify keeper
• Might be stolen
• Could have outstanding finance
• May be DVLA flagged

Seller can request replacement:

• Online: gov.uk/vehicle-log-book
• Cost: £25
• Arrives in 4-6 weeks

Wait until they have it before buying.

Issue 2: V5C in Different Name

Seller's name doesn't match V5C:

Acceptable if:

• Recently purchased (has V5C/2 green slip)
• Company car (has company letter)
• Inherited vehicle (has probate documents)
• Family member selling (has V5C keeper permission)

Not acceptable if:

• No explanation
• Evasive answers
• Suspicious circumstances

Always verify why names don't match.

Issue 3: Handwritten Corrections

Unacceptable:

• Crossed-out details
• Overwriting
• Different handwriting
• Obvious alterations

These indicate:

• Forgery attempt
• Stolen document
• Altered details
• Fraud

Walk away immediately.

Issue 4: Recent Import

V5C shows:

• Recent issue date
• Import marker
• Different country

Check:

• MOT history (should show mileage)
• Service history (verify mileage)
• Import paperwork
• UK approval certificate

Imported cars are fine if properly documented.

What V5C Doesn't Tell You

Critical Limitations

V5C Does NOT show:

• Outstanding finance ❌
• Insurance write-off status ❌
• Mileage accuracy ❌
• Stolen status ❌
• True ownership ❌
• MOT status ❌
• Service history ❌

You still need:

• HPI check (finance, stolen, written-off)
• MOT history check (mileage verification)
• Service history (maintenance proof)
• Vehicle inspection (mechanical condition)

Never rely on V5C alone for complete vehicle history.

Lost or Stolen V5C

If You Lose Your V5C

Immediate actions:

1. Apply for replacement:

   • Online: gov.uk/vehicle-log-book
   • Phone: 0300 790 6802
   • Post: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA

2. Cost: £25

3. Delivery: 4-6 weeks

4. Continue driving: Legal while waiting

If stolen:

• Report to police
• Note crime reference number
• Include in DVLA application

If Seller Claims "Lost V5C"

Be cautious:

Ask:

• When was it lost?
• Have they applied for replacement?
• Can they show application confirmation?
• Why is it suddenly lost before sale?

Genuine loss:

• Should have applied months ago
• Can show DVLA correspondence
• Waiting for delivery

Suspicious "loss":

• Just before sale
• No replacement applied
• Evasive about details
• Pressuring quick sale

V5C and Vehicle Finance

Finance Complications

If car has finance:

• V5C keeper: Buyer
• Legal owner: Finance company
• V5C shows "Name and address of keeper"
• Doesn't show finance owner

Why this matters:

• Seller might owe money
• Finance company can repossess
• You lose car AND money paid
• V5C won't warn you

Solution: Always HPI check

• Shows outstanding finance
• Names finance company
• Amount owed (sometimes)
• Repossession risk

Checking for Finance

Free Check:

• Use MOT history (limited info)

Paid Checks (£10-30):

• HPI Check
• Experian AutoCheck
• mycarcheck.com
• RAC Vehicle History

Worth every penny to avoid £10,000+ loss.

DVLA V5C Services

Useful DVLA Links

Change Address:

• gov.uk/change-address-v5c
• Online update
• Free service
• New V5C posted

Vehicle Tax:

• gov.uk/vehicle-tax
• Need V5C reference number
• Direct Debit or one-off payment

SORN (Off Road):

• gov.uk/make-sorn
• Declare vehicle off-road
• No road tax needed
• Must have V5C

Selling Vehicle:

• gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle
• Online notification
• Instant confirmation

Vehicle Scrapped:

• gov.uk/scrap-your-vehicle
• Get Certificate of Destruction
• DVLA removes from register

Red Flags: Walk Away If

Document Issues:

• No V5C available
• Obvious forgery
• Water damaged
• Recently issued for old car
• Handwritten corrections
• Missing pages

Seller Issues:

• Name doesn't match V5C
• Can't explain discrepancies
• Pressuring quick sale
• Evasive about questions
• Won't let you photograph V5C

Vehicle Issues:

• VIN doesn't match
• Colour doesn't match
• Details incorrect
• Import not mentioned

Trust your instincts - if something feels wrong, it probably is.

V5C Checklist for Buyers

Before buying, verify:

Document Checks:

• V5C present (not just green slip)
• Security features visible
• No obvious damage or alterations
• Issue date makes sense for car age
• All pages present

Detail Verification:

• Registration matches car
• VIN matches car (check dashboard, door pillar)
• Make/model/colour correct
• Engine size matches
• Seller name matches V5C keeper

Transfer Process:

• Seller completes Section 6 correctly
• Seller signs Section 8
• You receive V5C/2 green slip
• Your details entered correctly
• Date of sale recorded

Additional Checks:

• HPI check completed (finance, stolen, write-off)
• MOT history checked (mileage verification)
• Service history reviewed
• Insurance quote obtained

After Purchase

Immediate Actions:

Day 1:

• Keep V5C/2 green slip safe
• Complete your details on V5C/2
• Send V5C/2 to DVLA (or notify online)
• Arrange insurance
• Tax vehicle (if not already taxed)

Week 1:

• Confirm DVLA received notification
• Save copies/photos of all documents
• File V5C/2 in safe place

4-6 Weeks:

• Receive new V5C in your name
• Check all details correct
• Store safely
• Update insurance/finance if needed

Summary

Key Takeaways:

V5C Is Essential:

• Never buy without seeing it
• Check authenticity carefully
• Verify all details match car

Transfer Correctly:

• Complete all sections
• Notify DVLA within 24 hours
• Keep proof of transaction

V5C Limitations:

• Doesn't show finance
• Doesn't prove ownership
• Always HPI check too

Red Flags:

• No V5C = don't buy
• Recent issue on old car = investigate
• Name mismatch = verify
• Damage/alterations = walk away

Your Protection:

• Thorough checks
• Proper transfer
• Keep documentation
• Trust instincts

The V5C is crucial but not sufficient on its own. Combine V5C verification with HPI checks, MOT history review, and physical inspection for complete protection when buying a car in the UK.