V5C logbook vs EU registration certificates for dealers
V5C logbook compared with EU registration certificates Part I and Part II: what each proves, what to collect when buying and what goes abroad.
· 7 min read
The V5C logbook is the UK's vehicle registration certificate: it names the registered keeper, not the legal owner, and DVLA itself says it is not proof of ownership. Most EU countries split registration into Part I, which travels with the car, and Part II, which the owner keeps and must hand over on sale. A cross-border dealer needs to know which document proves what before paying.
What is a V5C logbook?
The V5C, often called the logbook or V5, is the registration certificate DVLA issues for every vehicle registered in Great Britain. It records the registration number, the VIN, technical data such as engine size and CO2, the date of first registration, the number of previous keepers and the name and address of the registered keeper.
It serves three purposes in practice:
- Taxing the car: the reference number on the V5C is used to tax online.
- Notifying changes: the keeper reports a sale, an export, a change of address or a modification using the relevant sections.
- Identifying the car: dealers and buyers compare the VIN and details with the car.
Is a V5C proof of ownership?
No. The V5C shows who is responsible for registering and taxing the vehicle, the registered keeper, and DVLA states that it is not proof of ownership. Keeper and owner are often the same person, but not always:
- A car on finance is owned by the finance company while the customer is the keeper.
- A company car may be kept by an employee and owned by the company or a lessor.
- A car can be sold without the logbook being updated.
For a dealer, the V5C is a necessary document, not a sufficient one. Proof of ownership comes from the purchase invoice chain, a finance settlement letter and a clean finance check; see our guide to the car finance check.
Logbook fees and changes
DVLA charges £25 for a replacement V5C if the original is lost, stolen or damaged; the online and phone service typically delivers within five working days. Changes such as a new address can be made online without a fee. When a car is sold in the UK, the seller gives the new keeper the green "new keeper" slip and notifies DVLA, and DVLA issues a new V5C to the buyer.
For car dealers
Know your margin before you buy
MyCarDealer compares any car from an auction or listing with the market in your country and shows the net margin after VAT, transport and costs – and the maximum bid.
Request accessWhat is Part I and Part II of an EU registration certificate?
EU registration certificates follow Directive 1999/37/EC, which harmonises their content and allows a two-part format:
- Part I is the registration certificate that accompanies the vehicle. It shows the registration number, the holder and the technical data needed on the road.
- Part II is kept separately, outside the car, by the person entitled to dispose of the vehicle. It proves the right to dispose of the car, but is not a title document in the legal sense.
Member states may issue one or two parts, and each implements the format differently:
| Country | Documents | What a buyer must get |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I (formerly Fahrzeugschein) and Teil II (formerly Fahrzeugbrief) | Both parts; Teil II is essential |
| Netherlands | Credit-card kentekencard plus a nine-digit tenaamstellingscode; on export, a paper kentekenbewijs deel II | The card and the code; for export, the card with the export deel II |
| Belgium | Registration certificate in two parts | Both parts; a sale requires both to be presented |
| France | Single certificat d'immatriculation | The certificate crossed through with the sale date and the seller's signature, plus the declaration of sale |
| Italy | Documento Unico (DU), combining registration and ownership data | The DU; ownership transfer runs through the public vehicle register |
| United Kingdom | V5C (single document) | The V5C; the seller notifies DVLA of the sale or export |
A proposal for a new directive on vehicle registration documents, which would replace Directive 1999/37/EC and move towards digital certificates, was under negotiation in 2025. Until it is adopted and transposed, the paper documents above remain the standard.
Which registration documents must a seller hand over on export?
On an export sale, the seller must hand over every part of the registration certificate the destination country needs to register the car, plus the documents proving the sale. In practice:
- From Germany: Teil I and Teil II, plus the invoice and, ideally, the certificate of conformity.
- From the Netherlands: the car must be reported for export at the RDW or a recognised export company. The RDW advises that the buyer exports the car in their own name, so their details appear on the export deel II. The buyer receives the kentekencard with a corner cut off, the export deel II and an indemnity certificate for the seller.
- From Belgium: both parts of the registration certificate and the CoC if available.
- From the UK: the V5C, with the permanent export notified to DVLA. The EU buyer will also need customs documents, as explained in export car from UK to EU.
Your registration authority will usually keep the foreign certificate when it registers the car, so make copies first.
What happens if the Part II certificate is missing?
A car without Part II is a red flag and a delay. In Germany, a missing Teil II can be replaced by the registration office, but only after checks with the federal motor transport authority and usually a sworn statement from the owner; until then you cannot register or properly resell the car. In other countries the procedure is similar: the authority must first be satisfied that the document is not held by a lender, a lessor or a thief.
Common reasons a seller cannot produce Part II:
- The car is still financed or leased and the lender holds the document.
- The car was reported stolen or is subject to a dispute.
- The document was genuinely lost.
Only the third case is harmless, and even then it costs time. Lower your bid or walk away.
A CoC is not a substitute for Part II
Sellers sometimes offer a certificate of conformity, for example "CoC document, Euro 6, without registration certificate part II". The CoC proves the car's type-approval data; it says nothing about ownership or the right to dispose. It helps with registration, as explained in our certificate of conformity guide, but it does not replace Part II.
A buying checklist for cross-border dealers
Before paying for a car from another country:
- Match the VIN on the car with every document.
- Check that the seller's name matches the registration holder, or get a written explanation and proof of title.
- Get every part of the registration certificate the country issues.
- Check for finance and theft before payment.
- Agree in writing who deregisters the car and when.
Getting the paperwork right is half the margin on an import; the other half is the price. MyCarDealer shows what the same car sells for in your country, so you can see before bidding whether a car with incomplete papers is worth the extra effort. Try it on one car with the free valuation.
Frequently asked questions
What is a V5C logbook?
The V5C is the UK vehicle registration certificate issued by DVLA. It shows the registration number, VIN, technical details and the registered keeper, and it is used to tax the car and to tell DVLA about sales, exports and changes.
Is a V5C proof of ownership?
No. It shows the registered keeper, who may not be the legal owner, for example when a car is on finance. Ownership is shown by purchase invoices and, where relevant, a finance settlement letter.
How much does a replacement logbook cost?
DVLA charges £25 for a replacement V5C. Applying online or by phone is the quickest route, usually within five working days.
What is Part I and Part II of an EU registration certificate?
Under Directive 1999/37/EC, Part I accompanies the vehicle and shows registration and technical data, while Part II is kept separately and shows who may dispose of the car. Germany and Belgium issue both parts; France, Italy and the UK use a single document.
What happens if the Part II certificate is missing?
The car cannot easily be registered or resold until the authority issues a replacement after checks for finance, theft or disputes. Treat a missing Part II as a reason to lower your price or walk away.