What Is a V5C Log Book? What It Shows and How to Replace It

The V5C, or log book, is the DVLA's vehicle registration certificate. It records who the registered keeper is, meaning the person responsible for taxing and registering the vehicle. It is not proof of who owns it.

What does a V5C show?

• The registered keeper's name and address.

• The registration number and the date of first registration, listed with the vehicle details.

• The make, model, colour, engine size and fuel type.

• The vehicle identification number (VIN) and engine number.

• The number of previous registered keepers.

The date of first registration is the reliable way to confirm a car's age, especially if it wears a private plate. Our guide to number plates explains why.

Does the V5C prove I own the car?

No. The keeper and the owner are often the same person, but not always. A company car is one example. A car on hire purchase or PCP is another: you are the keeper, but the finance company owns the car until the agreement is settled.

Proof of ownership is the purchase invoice or receipt. Keep it with the car's paperwork.

What should I check on the V5C when buying a used car?

1. The registration number, make, model and colour match the car in front of you.

2. The VIN on the document matches the VIN on the car, usually at the base of the windscreen and on a plate in a door opening or under the bonnet.

3. In a private sale, the seller's name and the address you are viewing at match the keeper details.

4. The number of previous keepers is what you were told.

The V5C tells you nothing about outstanding finance, write-off history or servicing. Those need separate checks. See our guide to checking a used vehicle's service history.

What do I do with the V5C when I sell or buy?

The seller tells DVLA that the vehicle has changed hands. The quickest way is the online service on GOV.UK, and DVLA then sends a new log book to the new keeper.

Two things catch people out. Vehicle tax does not transfer with the car: the seller gets a refund for any full months left, and the buyer has to tax the vehicle before driving it. And the service cannot be used if there is no log book. In that case the buyer applies for one using form V62.

How do I replace a lost or damaged V5C?

The registered keeper can apply to DVLA online or by phone if none of the details have changed. It costs £25 and the new one usually arrives within 5 to 7 working days. You need the registration number, the VIN or chassis number, and your name and postcode.

If vehicle details need changing, you apply by post instead. Start at Get a vehicle log book on GOV.UK.

Common questions

Can I sell a car without a V5C?

It is possible, but it makes the sale harder and buyers are right to be cautious. Getting a replacement first is usually the better route. We cover it in selling a car without a V5.

Is a missing V5C a warning sign when buying?

It can be. Log books do get lost, but a replacement costs the keeper £25 and takes about a week. Be careful with a seller who has no log book and no interest in getting one.

Is MOT history the same as service history?

No. MOT history is a public record of test results and mileage, free to view on GOV.UK. Service history is the record of maintenance, kept in a stamped book, on invoices or on the manufacturer's digital system. Neither is part of the V5C.

Selling or changing your car in Barnsley?

Have your V5C to hand and get a price for your car from anycolourcar.com, or browse the cars we have in stock. The sales team is on 01226 574410.

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Updated October 2026.