Short answer: to check a V5C logbook is genuine, look for the “DVL” watermark, make sure the serial number is not in the ranges GOV.UK lists as stolen, and check that the details on the V5C match both the car and DVLA’s own record. Then check the VIN and engine number on the car itself. If anything doesn’t match, don’t buy the car.

Last reviewed: 22 October 2026. General guidance for private buyers in the UK, based on GOV.UK and DVLA information. If you think a V5C or vehicle may be stolen, contact the police.

What the V5C shows, and what it doesn’t prove

The V5C, also called the vehicle registration certificate or log book, is DVLA’s record of a vehicle and its registered keeper. It includes details such as the registration number, make, model, colour, VIN (vehicle identification number), engine details and the keeper’s name and address.

It is not proof of ownership. The Department for Transport has said that buyers often wrongly believe the V5C proves who owns a vehicle, and that this is not the case. The registered keeper and the legal owner can be different people, for example where a car is on finance or is a company car. Ask for proof that the seller owns the car, such as a bill of sale or purchase invoice, and consider checking for outstanding finance too.

Check the watermark and serial number

GOV.UK’s checks when buying a used vehicle say that when you see the car you should:

  • Look for a “DVL” watermark on the V5C. Hold it up to the light.
  • Check the serial number is not between BG8229501 and BG9999030, or between BI2305501 and BI2800000. GOV.UK says that if it is, the V5C might be stolen and you should call the police as soon as it is safe to do so.

These are the only serial ranges GOV.UK publishes. A serial number outside them does not prove the document is genuine. It only means it is not in one of the known stolen batches, so carry on with the checks below.

Match the V5C to the car

Next, compare the document with the car and with DVLA’s record:

  1. Registration number: the same as the number plates.
  2. VIN: the same as the VIN on the car. It is usually stamped on the chassis and shown on a plate or label, often at the base of the windscreen, in the engine bay or on a door pillar. If it looks tampered with, scratched or has been replaced, stop.
  3. Engine number: the same as the engine. GOV.UK specifically advises checking both the VIN and engine number against the log book.
  4. Make, model and colour: the same as the car. A colour change should have been reported to DVLA.
  5. DVLA’s record: put the registration into the free DVLA vehicle enquiry service and check the make, colour and other details agree with the V5C and the car.
  6. Date the V5C was issued: GOV.UK says you can check the date on the new keeper slip against the last V5C issue date on the vehicle enquiry service. If the V5C you are shown is not the latest one, ask why.

GOV.UK also says owners must update the V5C for changes such as colour, engine, fuel type and some structural changes. Details that don’t match could be an innocent admin gap, but you should get a clear explanation before you go any further.

Keeper and address checks at the viewing

  • View the car at the address on the V5C where you can, and be wary if the seller wants to meet in a car park or lay-by.
  • Ask whether the seller is the registered keeper. If the name on the V5C isn’t theirs, ask why, and ask for proof they are allowed to sell it.
  • Ask for ID and check the name and address match the V5C.
  • Look at the service history and MOT records. Check the MOT history and see whether the mileage and dates make sense alongside the V5C.

Red flags

  • A serial number in the GOV.UK stolen ranges, or no DVL watermark.
  • A V5C issued very recently with no clear reason. A recent change of keeper or address is common, but it can also be a sign of a quick resale or a car that has been “cleaned up”. Ask why.
  • Details that don’t match the car, DVLA’s record or the advert: VIN, engine number, colour, model.
  • No V5C at all, or “it’s in the post”. GOV.UK’s advice is to see the V5C at the viewing.
  • A seller who isn’t the registered keeper and can’t explain why.
  • Pressure to pay quickly, in cash, or before you’ve finished your checks.

What to do if something doesn’t match

  1. Don’t hand over money, including a deposit.
  2. If the serial number is in a stolen range, GOV.UK says to call the police as soon as it is safe to do so.
  3. If you suspect the car is stolen or cloned, walk away and report it to the police. Our stolen car check guide explains the warning signs.
  4. If it looks like an honest paperwork error, ask the seller to sort it out with DVLA first. You can come back once the V5C is correct.

V5 vs V5C

People often say “V5” when they mean the V5C. The document DVLA issues today is the V5C vehicle registration certificate, and GOV.UK calls it the V5C or log book. A redesigned, more secure V5C was introduced in 2010 after blank certificates were stolen in 2006. Older-style certificates stayed valid until they were replaced, so you may still see more than one design. Whatever it looks like, the checks above apply. What matters is that it is the latest V5C for the car and that it matches.

Frequently asked questions

Is a V5C proof of ownership?

No. It shows the registered keeper, who is responsible for things like tax and notices, not necessarily the owner. Ask for a bill of sale or invoice as proof of ownership.

Can I buy a car without a V5C?

You can, but it is riskier and it makes the checks above impossible. If you do, GOV.UK says you will need to apply for a V5C using form V62, and you need a V5C reference or the green new keeper slip to tax the car online. Many buyers simply walk away.

What if the V5C was issued recently?

Ask why. A recent change of address or keeper can be innocent. Check the issue date against the vehicle enquiry service and make sure everything else matches.

Is a V5 the same as a V5C?

In everyday use, yes: “V5” usually means the V5C log book. The current document is the V5C.

Where is the serial number on a V5C?

It is printed on the document itself. Compare it with the ranges on GOV.UK’s used vehicle checks page, and contact DVLA if you can’t find it.

For the other checks to make before you buy, see our used car buying checklist, our vehicle registration check guide and our car history check guide.

Sources checked 22 October 2026: GOV.UK, Check a used vehicle you’re buying; GOV.UK, Get a vehicle log book (V5C); GOV.UK, Change vehicle details on a V5C registration certificate; GOV.UK, Tell DVLA you’ve sold, transferred or bought a vehicle and Tax your vehicle; Department for Transport, The re-designed vehicle registration certificate and “buyer beware” initiative (21 July 2010).