Before arranging a viewing, put the car’s paperwork in one place. Buyers want to compare the documents with the car and understand which parts of its history you can prove. This checklist covers the documents only; for the full selling process, see our step-by-step guide to selling a car privately.
Last reviewed: 14 October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Follow the current GOV.UK instructions and the instructions printed on your own V5C.
Must-have vs nice-to-have documents
| Document or item | Must-have or nice-to-have? | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| V5C registration certificate (log book) | Must-have | Used to transfer the car to the new keeper and tell DVLA. It shows the registered keeper, not legal ownership. |
| All keys | Must-have | Missing keys put buyers off and should be mentioned in the advert. |
| Signed sale receipt | Strongly recommended | Records what you both agreed (template below). |
| Finance settlement letter (if the car was on finance) | Must-have if relevant | Shows the agreement has been paid off. |
| MOT details | Nice-to-have | Buyers can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, but having the latest test result to hand helps. |
| Service history and repair invoices | Nice-to-have | Supports the car’s condition and value. |
| Handbook, locking wheel nut key, accessory instructions | Nice-to-have | Small items that buyers notice when missing. |
The V5C explained
Check that the vehicle details and the keeper name and address on your V5C are correct before you advertise. The layout and section numbers differ between older and newer versions, so use the instructions printed on your actual document rather than a section number copied from elsewhere.
When you sell, GOV.UK says you can tell DVLA online to change the registered keeper. You give the buyer the green new-keeper slip. If you have already posted the V5C, or do not have one, the online service cannot be used and GOV.UK explains the postal route. See Tell DVLA you’ve sold, transferred or bought a vehicle.
No V5C? What to do
If the log book is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, GOV.UK says you can apply for a replacement online or by phone if the details can stay the same; the service usually costs £25 and the V5C is posted to the address DVLA has on record. If you have already sold the car without a log book, you must write to DVLA with the details GOV.UK lists. Do not promise a buyer that missing paperwork will be simple to sort out. See Get a vehicle log book (V5C).
MOT and service evidence
Keep the latest MOT details, dated service invoices and repair receipts together. Buyers can look up MOT history on the GOV.UK MOT history service, so make sure your records match it. Explain any gaps rather than claiming a “full history” you cannot show. If work was done after an MOT advisory, keep the invoice with it. Our guide to checking MOT history helps you review the record first.
For a car with digital service history, ask your dealer or garage what printout or evidence you can give the buyer. If paper invoices are missing, the garage that did the work may be able to supply duplicates.
Finance and HP paperwork
If the car was bought on hire purchase, PCP or conditional sale, the finance company usually owns it until the agreement is settled. Keep the settlement letter or confirmation that the agreement has been paid off, as buyers may run a finance check. Our outstanding finance explainer covers what this means.
Sale receipt template (text)
Write out two copies and both sign each one. Include:
- Seller’s and buyer’s names, addresses and phone numbers.
- Registration number, make, model and VIN.
- The agreed price and how it was paid.
- Date and time of handover.
- Odometer reading, and any uncertainty about the mileage.
- Known faults, and what is included (keys, spare wheel, accessories).
- A line stating the car was inspected and test driven by the buyer, if it was.
A receipt records the agreement. It does not replace telling DVLA, and it does not make an inaccurate advert acceptable.
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need to sell my car?
At minimum, the V5C log book and all the keys. MOT details, service records and a signed receipt make the sale smoother.
What part of the V5C do I give the buyer?
The green new-keeper slip. Follow the instructions on your V5C and tell DVLA yourself, online or by post.
Can I sell a car without a V5C?
It is possible, but harder. Apply for a replacement first if you can; if you sell without one, you must write to DVLA as GOV.UK describes.
Do I need to give the buyer the MOT certificate?
MOT results are held online and buyers can check them on GOV.UK, so a paper certificate is not essential, but having the latest result to hand is helpful.
Sources checked 14 October 2026: GOV.UK, Get a vehicle log book (V5C); GOV.UK, Tell DVLA you’ve sold, transferred or bought a vehicle; GOV.UK, Check the MOT history of a vehicle.
Before advertising, see our car preparation checklist.