Selling a car privately in the UK involves more paperwork than most people realise. Get it wrong and you remain legally linked to a vehicle you no longer own — exposed to liability for fines, tolls, and any offences committed in it. Here's the complete process.
The V5C: Your Most Important Document
The V5C (Vehicle Registration Certificate, informally called the "logbook") is the central document for any car sale. It's not proof of ownership — ownership is determined by who paid for the car — but it records who is responsible for the vehicle.
Critical: Never buy a car without a V5C in the seller's name. A missing V5C is a significant red flag. It may indicate the car is stolen, on finance, or has undisclosed history.
What the V5C Contains
| Field | Why Buyers Check This |
|---|---|
| Registered keeper name | Should match the seller you're meeting |
| Vehicle make, model, colour | Should match the actual car |
| Date of first registration | Confirms the age of the vehicle |
| Engine number and VIN | Can be cross-checked with the car physically |
| Previous keeper count | High number of keepers in a short time can be a flag |
Notifying the DVLA When You Sell
This is the step most private sellers miss or delay — and it matters.
You must notify the DVLA on the day of the sale that you've transferred the vehicle to a new keeper. Until you do, you remain listed as the registered keeper. That means:
- Penalty Charge Notices (parking fines, bus lane fines) sent to your address
- Any toll charges (Dartford crossing, etc.) linked to the vehicle
- Potential complications if the vehicle is involved in an incident
How to Notify the DVLA
Online (fastest): gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle You'll need:
- The V5C document
- The new keeper's name and address
- The date of sale
By post: The yellow "sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle" section (Section 6) of the V5C. Complete it and post it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD. Keep the green "new keeper supplement" and give it to the buyer until their new V5C arrives.
After notification: The DVLA will cancel your vehicle tax. Any remaining full months of tax are automatically refunded — you don't need to apply separately.
What the Buyer Receives
When you hand over the car, the buyer should receive:
- The V5C (logbook) with Section 6 completed, dated, and signed — or the green new keeper supplement if you've already posted the main document
- MOT certificate (if applicable)
- Service history — stamped book, receipts, or printouts
- Any spare keys
- Any extras: handbook, parcel shelf, locking wheel nut key
Road Tax: What Changes at the Point of Sale
Vehicle tax (road tax) is not transferred when a car is sold. The seller's tax ends at the point of sale and is refunded by the DVLA automatically (for any remaining full months).
The buyer must immediately tax the vehicle in their own name before driving it. This is done at gov.uk/vehicle-tax using the new keeper supplement or V5C.
Do not assume the tax carries over. Driving an untaxed vehicle is an offence. Buyers should tax the car before the journey home — this can be done on a mobile phone before leaving the seller's property.
SORN: If the Car Won't Be Driven
If the buyer plans to keep the car off the road (storing, restoring, or waiting for insurance), they need to declare a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) at gov.uk/make-a-sorn.
As the seller, once you've notified the DVLA of the sale and cancelled your tax, your responsibility ends. But if the car was previously SORNed by you, be clear with the buyer about its status.
What If You've Lost the V5C?
You can apply for a replacement V5C online at gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla for £25. Allow 5–7 working days.
If the V5C is genuinely lost and you're trying to sell: apply for the replacement before listing. A car sold without a V5C will attract lower offers and more suspicious buyers — and legitimately so.
Quick Summary Checklist
Before the sale:
- Locate the V5C and confirm it's in your name
- Gather service history, MOT certificate, and spare keys
On the day of sale:
- Complete Section 6 of the V5C (or use the online service)
- Hand over the vehicle, documents, and keys
- Keep a record of the buyer's name, address, and contact details
After the sale:
- Post the completed V5C to DVLA (if not done online)
- Confirm your road tax refund has been processed
Frequently Asked Questions
What paperwork do I need when selling a car privately? The V5C logbook is the essential document — it must be in your name and match the vehicle. Complete Section 6 ("sell, transfer, or part-exchange your vehicle") and give it to the buyer — or post it to the DVLA and give the buyer the green new keeper supplement in the meantime. Also provide: the current MOT certificate (or confirmation it's exempt); any service history (stamps, receipts, or dealer records); spare keys (one minimum, two is preferable); and any extras such as the handbook, parcel shelf, or locking wheel nut key. Gather these before listing — a complete documentation package makes a car easier to sell and more credible to buyers.
How do I notify the DVLA when I sell my car? Online (fastest): gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle. You'll need the V5C, the buyer's name and address, and the sale date. The system is straightforward and takes five minutes. By post: complete Section 6 of the V5C and send it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD — keep the green new keeper supplement for the buyer. Notify on the day of the sale, not later — until the DVLA is notified, you remain the registered keeper and are legally linked to any parking fines, toll charges, or incidents involving the car.
Does road tax transfer when I sell my car? No — road tax is not transferred. Your tax ends at the point of sale and DVLA automatically refunds any remaining full months. The buyer must immediately tax the vehicle in their own name before driving it — using the new keeper supplement (green section of the V5C) or the V5C itself at gov.uk/vehicle-tax. This can be done on a mobile phone before leaving your property. Driving an untaxed vehicle is an offence, so both seller and buyer should understand this point explicitly at the handover.
What happens if I don't tell the DVLA I've sold my car? You remain legally the registered keeper — which means Penalty Charge Notices (parking fines, bus lane fines, toll charges) come to you. If the buyer is involved in an incident and the car is identified by plate, your name is linked to it. If the buyer doesn't re-tax the car or insures it in their own name, complications can follow. Practically: notify online the same day, save the DVLA confirmation, and keep a record of the buyer's contact details. The notification takes five minutes and removes your legal exposure immediately.
What should the buyer receive when I sell them my car? At minimum: the V5C (or the green new keeper supplement if you've posted the main document); the current MOT certificate; any service history available; and all keys. It's good practice to also include the manufacturer's handbook, locking wheel nut key if the car has alloys, and any extras that came with the car (parcel shelf, boot mat, tow bar electrics). Write a simple receipt with the sale price, date, and both parties' names and signatures — this protects both buyer and seller if any dispute arises later.
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