Archive Website of the UK government

New red registration certificate (V5C) roll-out

DVLA is replacing all existing blue registration certificates (V5C) and will issue a new red V5C for all vehicles by November 2012. Your new V5C must be used for all future dealings with DVLA or at Post Office ® branches when taxing your vehicle.

• Download 'Information about the new red Vehicle registration certificate (V5C)' (PDF, 148K)

• Help with PDF files

Buyer beware

Make sure you know what questions to ask about the:

• seller and their background
• registration certificate (V5C) and its authenticity
• identity and origin of the vehicle

If in doubt, trust your instincts. Don’t be pressured to buy, if it seems too good to be true it probably is.

Here are some top tips to help you decide. You can print the checklist below and take it with you as a useful reminder of what to look for when buying a vehicle.

Step 1: Before seeing the vehicle

Here are some things to consider before you see the vehicle:

• ask if the seller is the registered keeper and arrange to view the vehicle at the registered keeper’s address
• ask the seller for the registration number, make and model of the vehicle
• ask the seller for the expiry date of the tax disc, and the MOT test number
• check whether the vehicle has outstanding finance or has been stolen or written off

For details of companies who will check this information for you follow the link below.

• Vehicle check services

• Check a vehicle's MOT status and history online

Step 2: Checking the vehicle’s registration certificate (V5C)

Thieves can alter the appearance of a stolen vehicle and its paperwork to make it look genuine (this is known as ‘cloning’). They can also forge documents.

Hold the V5C up to the light – there should be a ‘DVL’ watermark.

Remember, the V5C is not proof of ownership. Make sure the seller has the right to sell the vehicle and the V5C matches the vehicle’s details and all other documentation provided.

Look out for stolen V5Cs. If the seller has a blue V5C with a serial number in the following ranges, don’t go ahead with the sale. Contact the police when it’s safe to do so:

• BG8229501 to BG9999030
• BI2305501 to BI2800000

The serial number is in a white circle in the top right hand corner of the V5C.

Don’t buy the vehicle if you think the serial number has been altered, or if part of the V5C is missing.

There have been changes to the V5C. Follow the link below for further information.

• The Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C)

Step 3: Checking the vehicle

Before buying a vehicle, check that the VIN and engine number match those on the V5C. The links at the bottom of this page provide advice on what other important checks to carry out. Don’t make your decision until you have carried out all the relevant checks.

Checklist for buying a used vehicle

Print the checklist below and take it with you as a useful reminder of what to look for when buying a vehicle.

• Download the DVLA checklist (PDF, 247K)

• Help with PDF files

Remember if you have any doubts, don’t buy. Buying a cloned vehicle could result in you losing the vehicle and the money you pay for it.

For more advice on protecting yourself from motoring related scams follow the links below:

• Scams relating to Cross & Stitch and government departments

• Report a fraud - Action Fraud Opens new window

• Are your details up to date with DVLA?

For advice on what to do if you think your current vehicle’s details have been used to clone another vehicle follow the link below:

• What to do if your vehicle has been cloned

More car buying guides

• RAC motoring services Opens new window

• AA Opens new window

• Auto trader Opens new window

• CDL Vehicle Information Services Ltd Opens new window

• Consumer Direct car pages Opens new window

• Vehicle safe trading advisory group Opens new window

• Experian AutoCheck Opens new window

• Honest John Opens new window

• Exchange and Mart Opens new window

• HPI Ltd Opens new window

• Autonet Van Insurance Opens new window

DVLA and Cross & Stitch do not accept responsibility for any issues arising from association with the following syndicated links or the contents of the third party web sites. Neither DVLA nor Cross & Stitch endorse any of these organisations.