What Does a Car Logbook Look Like?
If you've never bought or sold a car before, "the logbook" can sound mysterious. In the UK it's simply the V5C registration certificate — a red paper document issued by the DVLA. Here's exactly what it looks like, what each part of it does, and how to tell a genuine one from a fake before you hand over any money.
The Logbook Is the V5C Registration Certificate
"Logbook", "log book", "V5", "V5C" and "registration certificate" all refer to the same document. Its official name is the V5C registration certificate, and the DVLA issues one for every vehicle registered in the UK. Despite the nickname, it isn't a book at all — it's a folded, multi-page A4 paper document. There is no card version and, as of today, no digital version: the DVLA does not let you view your V5C online.
One thing the logbook is not is proof of ownership. The V5C names the registered keeper — the person responsible for taxing the vehicle and receiving correspondence about it — and the document itself says it is not proof of ownership. A car on finance, for example, is typically registered to the driver but legally owned by the finance company. Our guide to the registered keeper vs owner distinction covers this in detail.
What the V5C Looks Like — Page by Page
A genuine, current V5C has these visual features:
- A red front cover. The document is predominantly red, headed "Registration Certificate" with the DVLA logo. Older blue certificates were withdrawn in 2012.
- An 11-digit document reference number. Printed near the top, this number is what you use to tax the car or notify the DVLA of a sale online. Sellers should never publish it in adverts.
- A "DVL" watermark. Hold the paper up to the light and the watermark should be visible throughout — a key anti-forgery feature.
- Vehicle details. Registration number, VIN (chassis number), make and model, body type, colour, engine size, fuel type, CO2 emissions and the date of first registration.
- Registered keeper details. The current keeper's name and address, the date they acquired the vehicle, and the number of previous keepers.
- Numbered change-notification sections. Separate sections for changing your name or address, updating vehicle details, selling or transferring to a new keeper or to the motor trade, and notifying permanent export or scrapping.
- The green V5C/2 "new keeper" slip. A tear-off section the seller gives to the buyer in a private sale, used as temporary evidence of the change of keeper and to tax the car immediately.
Why the Logbook Changed from Blue to Red
Until 2012, V5Cs were blue. The DVLA switched to the red design after a large number of blank blue certificates were stolen and used by criminals to give stolen or cloned cars a convincing paper trail. That's why a blue logbook today is a major red flag: it's either long out of date or potentially one of the stolen blanks. Either way, the details should be verified with the DVLA before any money changes hands.
Checking a Logbook When Buying a Used Car
The logbook check is one of the most important parts of any used-car viewing. Work through this list with the physical document in your hand:
- Confirm the watermark is present and the paper feels like an official document, not a photocopy.
- Match the registration number and VIN on the V5C to the plates and the VIN visible at the base of the windscreen.
- Check the make, model, colour and engine size describe the car in front of you.
- Make sure the seller's name and the address you're viewing at match the keeper details — if they don't, ask why.
- Look at the number of previous keepers and the date of first registration; they should line up with the seller's story and the advert.
For a deeper walkthrough of every field, see our guide on how to read a V5C logbook. And remember the document only tells you what the DVLA has been told — it won't reveal outstanding finance, write-off history or mileage discrepancies. A history check covers those.
What If the Car Has No Logbook?
Be very cautious about buying a car with no V5C at all. A genuine keeper can order a replacement from the DVLA for £25, so "I've lost the logbook" is rarely a good reason for it to be missing at the point of sale. If you already own a car and the logbook is lost, you can still tax it — our guide to taxing a car without the V5 explains the options using the V5C/2 green slip or a V62 application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a car logbook look like in the UK?
A UK car logbook is the V5C registration certificate — a multi-page A4 paper document with a red front cover, issued by the DVLA. It carries the title "Registration Certificate", an 11-digit document reference number, the vehicle's details (registration, VIN, make, colour, engine size), the registered keeper's name and address, and numbered sections for notifying the DVLA of changes.
Is the logbook red or blue?
Current V5C logbooks are red. The DVLA replaced the older blue version in 2012 after a batch of blank blue certificates was stolen and used to disguise stolen cars. If a seller hands you a blue V5C today, treat it as a serious warning sign and walk away or verify with the DVLA before going any further.
Does the logbook prove who owns the car?
No. The V5C names the registered keeper — the person responsible for taxing the vehicle and dealing with the DVLA — not the legal owner. The document itself states it is not proof of ownership. A car can be registered to one person but legally owned by another, for example a finance company.
What is the green slip in the logbook?
The green slip is the V5C/2 "new keeper" section. When a car is sold privately, the seller tears it off and gives it to the buyer as temporary evidence of the change of keeper while the DVLA issues a new V5C. You can also use the green slip to tax the car straight away.
How can I tell if a V5C logbook is genuine?
Hold the document up to the light and check for the "DVL" watermark, make sure the serial number and document reference number are printed clearly, and confirm every vehicle detail — registration, VIN, make, colour and engine size — matches the actual car. If anything looks altered, photocopied or inconsistent, do not buy the vehicle.
Verify the logbook against official DVLA data
Enter any UK reg to confirm the make, colour, engine size and keeper history match what's printed on the V5C — free with every check.
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