V5C (Logbook)

The V5C is the DVLA-issued registration document ('logbook') that records the registered keeper of a vehicle in the UK, along with its VIN, engine number, colour, and technical details. No legitimate vehicle sale happens without it.

The V5C proves who DVLA regards as the registered keeper. Transferring a vehicle's keeper on sale is done by completing the relevant section of the V5C and submitting it to DVLA (online or by post). The buyer receives a new V5C in their name within a couple of weeks. Trade buyers usually hold the V5C until retail sale and transfer directly from the original keeper to the retail buyer to minimise keeper count.

V5C sections that matter to dealers

Section 9 (green slip) — 'new keeper supplement' handed to buyer at point of sale, lets them tax the car immediately.
Section 4 — 'sell, transfer, or part-exchange to motor trade' — used when a dealer takes the car in without becoming the registered keeper.
Section 6 — notification of change of keeper to DVLA when the car is retailed on.

Red flags on a V5C

Mismatch between the V5C VIN and the vehicle's VIN plate or chassis stamping. Watermark missing or printed on non-DVLA paper (cloned logbook). Serial number listed on DVLA's known-stolen-logbooks list — check before handing over money. An HPI check cross-references the logbook serial and will flag a stolen blank.

Related terms

HPI Check

An HPI Check is a vehicle-history report that tells a dealer whether a car has outstanding finance, has been written off by an insurer, is recorded as stolen, or has had mileage discrepancies — the standard provenance check in UK trade.

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