How to check a log book (V5C) before you buy a car

Before you pay for a used car, check its log book and check the car against it. Here is what to look for, and where on the car to look.

The document

Check the log book itself

GOV.UK says to ask to see the log book and make sure:1

  • it has a "DVL" watermark;1
  • its serial number is not between BG8229501 and BG9999030, or BI2305501 and BI2800000;1
  • the details in it match the details the seller gave you.1

Look over the log book for its serial number: the ones to watch for start BG or BI. A number starting with other letters is outside both ranges.

If the serial number is in one of those ranges, the log book might be stolen: call the police as soon as it's safe to.1

Before you go, check the details the seller gave you against DVLA's records.1

Roadworthy checks tax, MOT and MOT history from scanning or entering a number plate.

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Blue or red

If the log book is blue

DVLA brought in a red log book in place of its old blue one, and completed its automatic roll-out in 2012. The red one was introduced after a number of defective blank certificates were stolen in 2006.2

In 2014 DVLA said existing log books stay valid until they are replaced, and recommended that a buyer offered a vehicle with a blue log book gets the seller to replace it with a red one before paying.2

The car

Check the car against the log book

Check the vehicle identification number (VIN) and the engine number on the car, and make sure they match the log book.1

Police advice describes the VIN as a 17-digit number, also known as the chassis number.3 It is usually stamped into the chassis.4

Police advice lists typical places to find it:3

  • by the driver's seat: inside the door jamb, or in the footwell;3
  • under the bonnet, including the panel where the bonnet meets the windscreen;3
  • on the engine block;3
  • near the top of a suspension strut;3
  • on the dashboard on the passenger's side, where it can be read through the windscreen;3
  • in the boot.3

Police advice is to check more than one of the VINs on the vehicle, as well as the engine numbers,5 and to check that the VIN matches around the vehicle.3

Tampering

Signs of tampering

Police advice is to look at:3

  • the quality of any VIN stickers: fuzzy, blurred or distorted ones could be a sign something isn't right;3
  • whether the stamped numbers are all lined up: crooked or uneven lines of numbers may indicate tampering;3
  • the quality of the paper documents: look closely, feel the paper, and ask whether it could be false or made up.3

Who owns the car?

A log book is not proof of ownership. In 2014 DVLA said criminals sell stolen or cloned vehicles with a forged or stolen one, and get away with it because many motorists believe it is.2

It recommended asking to see proof of ownership, such as a bill of sale, and checking the vehicle's service records and MOT certificate.2

Police advice is to ask the seller for photo ID and check the name matches the name in the log book.3

Why it matters

Police advice is that a cloned vehicle still belongs to its true owner or their insurance company, and may be returned to them.3

The log book is one of several checks. For the others, see Before you buy a used car.

Sources

  1. GOV.UK, Check a used vehicle you're buying
  2. GOV.UK (DVLA), DVLA encourages motorists to get a red vehicle registration certificate, a news story from 2014
  3. Essex Police, Tips for buying a used car
  4. GOV.UK, Vehicle registration: Vehicle identification number
  5. Metropolitan Police, Preventing car and vehicle theft

First published 13 October 2026. Last updated 13 October 2026. General information, not legal advice.