Published November 2026.
A V5C logbook is the first thing to ask for when you look at a used car, and fake or stolen logbooks are one of the oldest tricks in the book. A genuine V5C doesn’t prove the seller owns the car, but a fake one is a near certainty that something is wrong. Here’s how to check it.
Five checks for a genuine V5C
- The watermark: hold the V5C up to the light. A genuine one has a “DVL” watermark.
- The serial number: it must not be between BG8229501 and BG9999030, or BI2305501 and BI2800000. Those blank logbooks were stolen in 2006. If it is in either range, the V5C may be stolen: leave, and call the police when it’s safe to.
- The colour: current V5Cs are red. If a seller has an old blue one, the DVLA advises asking them to replace it before you pay.
- The latest issue date: the DVLA’s free vehicle enquiry service shows the date the last V5C was issued. If the date on the seller’s logbook is older, a newer V5C exists, and the one you’re holding is out of date.
- The details: the make, model, colour, engine size, VIN and engine number must all match the car.
Our V5C logbook check confirms the last issue date and the car’s details, and our DVLA check shows what the DVLA holds.
A V5C isn’t proof of ownership
The V5C shows the registered keeper, the person responsible for taxing and registering the car, not necessarily the owner. A car on finance, for example, belongs to the lender until it’s paid off, even though the logbook is in the driver’s name. That’s why a car finance check matters as much as the logbook.
Check the name and address on the V5C match the seller’s ID, and see the car at that address. Be wary if the seller wants to meet somewhere else, or says they’re selling for a friend.
What if the seller doesn’t have a V5C?
The DVLA advises you not to buy a vehicle without a logbook. Only the registered keeper can apply for a replacement, which costs £25 and takes five to seven working days, so ask the seller to get one first. Never apply for a replacement on the seller’s behalf: it’s a known tactic for getting genuine paperwork for a stolen car. If you have already bought a car without one, you can apply on form V62; our V62 guide explains how.
The new keeper slip
When you buy, the seller tells the DVLA online using the 11-digit reference number from the latest V5C, or by post, and gives you the green new keeper slip (V5C/2). The slip must come from the most recent V5C. You need it to tax the car straight away, and your own V5C should arrive within five to seven working days.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a V5C is fake?
Hold it up to the light for the DVL watermark, check the serial number isn’t in the stolen ranges, and compare its issue date with the date the DVLA’s vehicle enquiry service shows.
What are the stolen V5C serial numbers?
BG8229501 to BG9999030 and BI2305501 to BI2800000. A V5C with a serial number in either range may be stolen.
Is a V5C proof of ownership?
No. It shows the registered keeper, who isn’t always the owner, for example when a car is on finance.
Can I buy a car without a V5C?
The DVLA advises against it. Ask the registered keeper to apply for a replacement first.
Sources
- GOV.UK: checks to make when buying a used car
- DVLA: get a red vehicle registration certificate (2014)
- GOV.UK: get a vehicle log book (V5C)
- GOV.UK: selling or buying a vehicle
- GOV.UK: get vehicle information from DVLA
Check a car’s logbook details and latest issue date with our V5C logbook check.
One thought on “How to Check a V5C Logbook Is Genuine”