The DVLA issues a V5C logbook (the vehicle registration certificate) at three main points: when a vehicle is first registered, when the registered keeper changes, and when details on the record are updated or a replacement is requested. If you have just bought a car, the new V5C normally arrives with you within about 5 working days when the seller or dealer tells the DVLA online, or up to around 4 weeks if it is done by post.
This guide explains each situation, what to do if yours has not turned up, and how the V5C fits into checking a used car. We are an independent vehicle check service and are not affiliated with the DVLA or the government, so always use gov.uk for official transactions.
When is a V5C issued?
- First registration: when a new or newly imported vehicle is registered for road use in the UK, the DVLA sends the first V5C to the registered keeper. A dealer usually handles this, so allow a few weeks.
- Change of keeper: when a vehicle is sold, the DVLA issues a new V5C in the new keeper's name once it has been told about the sale.
- Change of details: if you update your name, address or vehicle details such as colour or engine, the DVLA can send out an updated V5C.
- Replacement: if your V5C is lost, stolen, damaged or never arrived, you can apply for a replacement. A fee currently applies, so check gov.uk for the up-to-date amount.
When you buy a used car
At the point of sale, the seller should fill in the new keeper section of the V5C. They should either tell the DVLA online or post the form to the DVLA. You should be given the green new keeper slip (V5C/2). This slip is not the full logbook, but it shows that the change has been started.
The DVLA then sends the new V5C to the address you provided. Typical timings are:
- Online notification: usually within about 5 working days.
- Postal notification: it can take up to around 4 weeks.
If nothing has arrived after 4 weeks, contact the DVLA. Do not wait indefinitely, because the record needs to show you as the keeper for tax, fines and insurance purposes.
When you buy a new car
A franchised dealer usually registers a new car for you. The V5C is then posted to the address you gave. It can take a couple of weeks, and sometimes longer at busy times. Ask the dealer for confirmation that registration has been completed if you are worried about the delay.
When you sell a car
If you are selling, you can update the DVLA online, or fill in the relevant section of the V5C and post it. The buyer gets the green slip. You should receive written confirmation from the DVLA that you are no longer the registered keeper. Keep it in case of later disputes about parking or speeding penalties.
What if the V5C is missing or late?
A missing V5C is one of the most common red flags in used car sales. There can be innocent explanations, such as a recent change of keeper, a recent address change or a lost document. But it can also point to a vehicle with something to hide.
If a seller says the V5C is on its way, be cautious. You may wish to ask:
- When did you last receive a V5C, and is the issue date shown on it?
- Why do you not have it with you?
- Can we update the DVLA together before I pay?
Many buyers choose not to pay until they have seen the V5C in person, or at least until they have been given the green slip and the keeper change has been started.
How to check a V5C properly
When a seller does have the V5C, look at it carefully before you hand over any money.
- Check that the registration number, make, model, colour, VIN and engine number match the car.
- Check that the seller's name and address match their ID and where the car is kept.
- Look at the date of issue and the number of previous keepers. A very recent issue date can simply mean a keeper change, but it is worth asking why.
- Be wary of documents that look altered, badly printed, or are missing security features.
Remember that the V5C shows who is the registered keeper. It is not proof of legal ownership. A car can have a clean-looking V5C and still have outstanding finance or other problems.
Why a history check still matters
The logbook is only one piece of the puzzle. A used car may also have a mixed history that does not appear on the paperwork the seller hands you. A vehicle history check can help you spot issues such as:
- Outstanding finance linked to the vehicle
- An insurance write-off record under the MIAFTR categories (Cat A, B, S or N)
- A stolen marker on the Police National Computer (PNC)
- MOT history from DVSA records, including mileage readings that may suggest clocking
- The number of previous keepers and plate changes
Before you commit to a purchase, you can enter the registration on motorpeek.com to see what a check reveals. No check can guarantee a car is problem-free, so combine it with a proper inspection, a test drive and careful paperwork checks.
Quick summary
The V5C is issued at first registration, on change of keeper, on changes to details, and as a replacement. After a sale, expect the new V5C within about 5 working days for online changes, or up to around 4 weeks by post. If it has not arrived by then, contact the DVLA, and think twice about buying any car where the seller cannot produce a V5C.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a V5C after buying a car?
If the seller or dealer updates the DVLA online, the new V5C usually arrives within about 5 working days. If the change is made by post, it can take up to around 4 weeks. If it has not arrived after that, contact the DVLA.
Can I buy a car without seeing the V5C?
It is risky and many buyers avoid it. Without the V5C you cannot easily check the keeper details, and a missing logbook can be a warning sign. If the seller cannot show it, think carefully before paying and consider walking away.
Is the V5C proof that the seller owns the car?
No. The V5C shows the registered keeper, not necessarily the legal owner. A car with a V5C can still have outstanding finance, so a separate vehicle history check is worthwhile.