V5C Logbook
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V5C Logbook
Thankfully, car ownership isn’t complicated. However, there are a few things about which you should be particularly cautious.
One of the most important documents involved in owning a car is your V5C. This document tells you everything you need to know about your vehicle, and lets the government know who’s responsible for the car.
You must make sure you have a V5C on hand! This guide will run you through everything you need to know about this vital document, and will give you advice on how to find a replacement if you’ve lost yours!
What is the DVLA V5C logbook?
The V5C is a way for the government to keep track of all of the cars in the UK.
Every single car has a unique V5C certificate, and without one, you cant buy or sell a car.
Known as a logbook. It’ll contain all the essential details about the car, and the keeper, such as:
- Vehicle registration number
- Date of first registration
- Manufacturer and Model
- VIN Vehicle Identification Number
- Body details including colour
- Engine Specification
- Exhaust Emissions
- The Registered Keeper
Who is the registered keeper?
Simply put, the registered keeper is the person who is responsible for communicating with official authorities (i.e. the police or DVLA).
It’s not necessarily the owner! For instance, if you take out a PCP deal, the finance provider is the legal owner of the car – but you are the registered keeper.
I’ve lost my V5C!
You must keep your V5C safe and secure. However, sometimes things happen, and you might have misplaced or damaged your document. Don’t worry! You can apply for a new V5C online.
Of course, its the DVLA and nothing is free, so you’ll need to pay a fee of £25 for a new V5C to be sent out to you.
What happens to the V5C when buying a car?
While you might be in the early stages of owning your car, there will come a time when you decide to move on to another vehicle. Whether you’re buying or selling a car, it’s crucial that you properly transfer ownership of a vehicle this is done using the V5C.
You can read the full details of how to use the V5C when buying a car.
