The V5C is the piece of paper most of us shove in a drawer and forget about until we sell the car. But this document, often just called the logbook, does more work than you might think. It links your vehicle to you in DVLA's records, and if it is wrong or missing, things like reminders, fines and selling up can all get complicated.
Here is what your V5C actually shows, how to keep it up to date, and what happens to it if you take out a logbook loan with us.
What your V5C shows
The V5C vehicle registration certificate is issued by the DVLA. It records details about your vehicle and the person responsible for it, including:
- The registration number and vehicle identification number (VIN).
- Make, model, colour, engine size and fuel type.
- The date the vehicle was first registered.
- The number of previous keepers.
- The name and address of the current registered keeper.
If you are buying a used car, comparing these details with the vehicle in front of you is one of the simplest checks you can do. The VIN on the V5C should match the one on the car itself.
Keeping your V5C up to date
The DVLA uses the details on your V5C to send vehicle tax reminders, and the police and other organisations use them to contact the keeper. If they are out of date, letters about fines or recalls can go to the wrong place. You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell the DVLA when your address changes.
Let the DVLA know if:
- You move house.
- You change your name.
- You change the vehicle in a way that affects its details, such as the colour or engine.
- You sell, scrap or transfer the vehicle.
Updating your name or address is free, and you can find out how on GOV.UK. If you have lost your V5C, you can apply for a replacement, though a fee applies.
What happens to your V5C with a logbook loan?
Despite the name, Logbook Money never takes your V5C logbook. You keep it, along with your keys and spare key, and you carry on driving as normal. The loan is secured with a separate legal document called a Bill of Sale. In Scotland, it is a Hire Purchase agreement signed online.
When you apply, we do check that you own the vehicle and that there is no outstanding finance on it. Having up-to-date V5C details makes that part quicker, so it is worth checking your address is correct before you start. You can read about all the requirements on our eligibility page, and more about how you keep your car while you repay.
Once the loan is paid off, ownership comes back to you. If you want to understand how vehicle ownership works more generally, our article on owning your car outright is a good place to start.
A quick V5C checklist
- Find your V5C and keep it somewhere safe at home, not in the car.
- Check your name, address and vehicle details are right.
- Tell the DVLA straight away if anything changes.
- When you sell, follow the DVLA steps and give the new keeper the slip they need.
Remember that any loan secured on your vehicle is a costly way to borrow. This article is general information, not financial advice. If you are struggling with money, free, impartial help is available from MoneyHelper.
Your car may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a loan secured against it.
