Selling a car isn't just about agreeing a price and handing over the keys. There's paperwork involved, and if you don't handle it correctly, you could end up legally responsible for a vehicle someone else is driving. That means their parking fines, speeding tickets, congestion charges, and even insurance claims could land on your doorstep.

This guide covers every piece of paperwork you need to complete when selling a car privately in the UK — from the V5C logbook transfer to notifying the DVLA, getting your road tax refund, and keeping proof of sale.

1. The V5C Logbook: Section 6 Transfer

The V5C (also known as the logbook or registration document) is the most important document in the sale. It records who the registered keeper of the vehicle is.

What to do:

  1. Find section 6 of the V5C — it's labelled "New keeper or new name/address"
  2. Fill in the buyer's name and address in section 6
  3. Both you and the buyer should sign and date section 6
  4. Tear off the perforated V5C/2 green slip — this is the "new keeper supplement"
  5. Give the V5C/2 green slip to the buyer. This is their temporary proof of purchase until the DVLA sends them a new V5C in their name (usually within 4–6 weeks)
  6. Keep the rest of the V5C to send to the DVLA, or notify them online instead
⚠️ Important
  • Never hand over the entire V5C to the buyer. They only get the V5C/2 green slip
  • The V5C is not proof of ownership — it shows who the registered keeper is. But it's the key document for transferring the registration

2. Notify the DVLA Online

This is the single most important step. Until you notify the DVLA, you are the registered keeper and legally responsible for the vehicle.

Online (recommended):

  1. Go to gov.uk/sold-sold-vehicle
  2. Enter the 11-digit reference number from the top of the V5C
  3. Enter the new keeper's name and address
  4. Confirm the sale

By post (alternative):

If you can't do it online, fill in the V5C as described above and post the completed V5C (not the green slip — that goes to the buyer) to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD.

Pro Tip: Do this on the same day you sell the car. Every day you delay is a day you could be held responsible for the buyer's actions. The online notification is instant and takes about 2 minutes.

3. Road Tax Refund

When you notify the DVLA that you've sold the vehicle, any remaining full months of road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) are automatically refunded to the payment method you originally used.

  • The refund is calculated from the first day of the month after the DVLA processes the notification
  • If you sell on 15 April, you'll be refunded for May onwards (April is not refunded as it's a partial month)
  • The buyer must tax the car in their own name before driving it — your tax does not transfer to them
  • If you paid by direct debit, the refund goes to that bank account. If you paid at a Post Office, you'll receive a cheque
✓ Do this: Notify the DVLA immediately so your tax refund starts from the earliest possible date
✗ Not this: Wait a week to notify the DVLA and lose a month's tax refund

4. Write a Receipt

A written receipt protects both you and the buyer. It's your proof that the sale happened, when it happened, and for how much. It can be invaluable if any disputes arise later.

Your receipt should include:

  • Full name and address of the seller (you)
  • Full name and address of the buyer
  • Vehicle registration number
  • Make, model, and colour of the vehicle
  • Mileage at point of sale
  • Agreed sale price
  • Date of sale
  • A statement: "Sold as seen, tried and approved" (for private sales, this means the buyer has inspected the car and accepted its condition)
  • Signatures of both seller and buyer

Print two copies — one for you, one for the buyer. If you don't have a printer, handwrite it clearly. Keep your copy somewhere safe.

Pro Tip: You can find free printable car sale receipt templates online. Having one prepared before the buyer arrives shows you're organised and builds confidence in the transaction.

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5. MOT Certificate

Give the buyer the current MOT certificate (if the car has one). While MOT status is checked electronically by insurers and the DVLA, having the physical or digital certificate is useful for the buyer.

  • You can check any vehicle's MOT history for free at gov.uk/check-mot-history
  • If your MOT is about to expire, consider getting a fresh one before selling — it makes the car more attractive and can add value
  • If the car has no MOT, the buyer can only legally drive it to a pre-booked MOT test

6. Service History and Receipts

Hand over any service history, maintenance receipts, and records you have. These add value to the car and give the buyer confidence that it's been well maintained.

  • Service book — with stamps from garages or main dealers
  • Receipts for work done — tyres, brakes, timing belt, clutch, etc.
  • Previous MOT certificates — these show the car's history and any advisories that were addressed
  • Spare keys — if you have a second key, hand it over. Missing spare keys can reduce a car's value

7. Cancel Your Insurance

Once the sale is complete and the buyer has driven away, contact your insurance company to cancel or amend your policy.

  • Don't cancel before the sale is complete. The car needs to be insured while it's still in your possession and during any test drives
  • You may get a partial refund for the remaining months of your policy, minus any cancellation fee
  • If you're buying a replacement car, you can often transfer your existing policy rather than cancelling
  • Keep proof of your no-claims bonus. Ask your insurer for a no-claims bonus letter — you'll need it when you insure your next vehicle
Pro Tip: Some insurers charge cancellation fees of £50–£75. Check your policy terms before cancelling. If you're getting a new car soon, it may be cheaper to transfer the policy rather than cancel and start a new one.

8. What to Do If the Buyer Doesn't Register

Occasionally, a buyer fails to register the car in their name with the DVLA. This can cause problems for you if the online notification hasn't been processed yet.

  • If you notified online: You're protected. The DVLA has an instant record of the sale. Any fines or charges after that date will not be attributed to you
  • If you only sent the V5C by post: It can take 4–6 weeks to process. In the meantime, you could receive fines for the new keeper's offences. Keep your copy of the receipt as proof of sale date
  • If you receive fines after selling: Contact the issuing authority (council, police, or TfL) with your proof of sale, including the receipt and DVLA notification confirmation
  • Contact the DVLA directly on 0300 790 6802 if you're concerned the buyer hasn't registered the vehicle. They can check the status and advise you
⚠️ Common Paperwork Mistakes
  • Not notifying the DVLA on the day of sale — you remain responsible for the vehicle until you do
  • Handing over the entire V5C to the buyer — they only get the V5C/2 green slip
  • Not keeping a copy of the receipt — this is your proof of sale
  • Cancelling insurance before the sale completes — you need cover until the car leaves your possession
  • Forgetting about the road tax refund — you're entitled to a refund for remaining full months
  • Not checking if there's outstanding finance — if there's finance on the car, the lender technically owns it and you can't legally sell it until it's settled

Final Thoughts

The paperwork side of selling a car is straightforward once you know what's required. Complete the V5C section 6, give the buyer the green slip, notify the DVLA online the same day, write a receipt, hand over the MOT and service history, and cancel your insurance after the sale.

The most critical step is notifying the DVLA. Do it online, do it immediately, and keep the confirmation. Everything else is important but secondary to that one action.

This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For DVLA-specific queries, visit gov.uk/browse/driving or contact the DVLA directly.

Related reading: How to Sell Your Used Car | Safe Payment Methods

Frequently Asked Questions

Legally yes, but it makes the sale much harder. Most buyers will be suspicious of a car without a V5C, as it could indicate the seller doesn't actually own the vehicle. If you've lost the V5C, apply for a replacement from the DVLA (form V62, costs £25) before listing the car. It typically takes 4–6 weeks to arrive.
The quickest way is online at gov.uk/sold-sold-vehicle. You'll need the 11-digit reference number from the V5C and the new keeper's name and address. Alternatively, fill in the V5C sections, tear off the V5C/2 green slip for the buyer, and post the remaining V5C to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD.
Yes. When you notify the DVLA that you've sold the vehicle, any remaining full months of vehicle tax are automatically refunded to the payment method you used. The refund is calculated from the first day of the month after the DVLA is notified. The buyer must tax the car themselves before driving it.
Include: full names and addresses of both seller and buyer, the car's registration number, make, model, colour, and mileage, the agreed price, the date of sale, a statement that the car is sold as seen, and signatures from both parties. Make two copies — one for each person. This receipt is your proof of sale.
If you've notified the DVLA online, you're protected — the DVLA has a record of the sale. If you only gave the buyer the V5C/2 green slip and posted the V5C but the buyer hasn't registered, contact the DVLA directly. Without proper notification, you could be liable for fines, parking tickets, and speeding charges on a car you no longer own.

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