What is a V5C log book, and what does it show?

What the V5C shows

DVLA sends a V5C when a vehicle is registered in a keeper’s name. It shows the vehicle’s registration number, the keeper’s name and address, and other information including the make, the vehicle identification number (VIN) and the number of previous keepers.

It also carries the green new-keeper slip that the seller hands to the buyer, which you need to tax the car straight away. The 11-digit number on the V5C is used for online services such as taxing the car, declaring it off the road with a SORN and checking its tax rate.

What is the V5C/2 reference number?

The green new-keeper slip is the V5C/2. GOV.UK’s tax service accepts the reference number from that slip when you have just bought a car, which lets you tax it before DVLA sends your own V5C. If you have none of the documents the service accepts, GOV.UK says you apply for a new log book, and you can tax the vehicle at the same time.

What to check when you see one

GOV.UK’s advice on checking a used vehicle before you buy has three steps at the viewing:

• ask to see the V5C, and check it carries a DVL watermark;
• check that its serial number is not between BG8229501 and BG9999030, or BI2305501 and BI2800000, which GOV.UK says might mean the V5C is stolen (if it is, call the police when it is safe to);
• check the details match what you have been told, and that the vehicle identification number and engine number match those on the V5C.

If a car has no V5C

DVLA advises that you should not buy a vehicle that does not have a V5C. If you buy one anyway, you have to register it yourself on form V62, which costs £25.

Keeping it up to date

The keeper must update the V5C when their address changes, and can be fined up to £1,000 for not telling DVLA. When you receive a V5C, it is your responsibility to check the details are right.