Advice
What paperwork do I need to buy a car in the UK? 2024 update
There's very little paperwork needed to buy a used car. Everything you do need is included in our checklist of all the documents you need to buy a car.
Words by: Nimisha Jain
Additional words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Last updated on 24 September 2024 | 0 min read
The final step to buying a used car is sorting out all the documents needed. The good news is you don’t need to provide much paperwork when buying a used car, but the papers you do need are all vital as you won’t be allowed to drive your car home without them.
These essential documents are: • Driving licence • Insurance Policy • Road tax • Payment documents Once you’re ready to purchase your car, make sure you’ve got all the information you need from the seller as well.
These essential documents are: • Driving licence • Insurance Policy • Road tax • Payment documents Once you’re ready to purchase your car, make sure you’ve got all the information you need from the seller as well.
Paperwork you'll need to bring
Driving Licence
Make sure you have your driving licence. This will help prove you can legally drive the car and help prove your identity to the seller.
Active insurance policy
You don't need an insurance policy in place to buy a car, but you do need one to drive it back home and you’ll only be legally allowed to drive the car when you’ve insured it.
If you have a fixed date for picking your car up, you could set up an annual insurance policy to start on that day. If you don't have the time, some dealers offer a driveaway insurance which will cover you for the first few days, usually at an extra cost. You can learn more about car insurance here.
If you have a fixed date for picking your car up, you could set up an annual insurance policy to start on that day. If you don't have the time, some dealers offer a driveaway insurance which will cover you for the first few days, usually at an extra cost. You can learn more about car insurance here.
Vehicle tax
When buying a new or used car, the vehicle tax is not transferable from the previous owner to you, even if the seller says the car is taxed.
This means you’ll need to tax the car before you can start driving it. You can do this online on Gov.uk, by post or using the DVLA’s 24/7 phone service by calling 0300 123 4321. When you buy a car, the seller will provide you with a ‘new keeper’ slip (V5C/2). To tax the car, you’ll need the 12-digit reference number from this green slip.
This means you’ll need to tax the car before you can start driving it. You can do this online on Gov.uk, by post or using the DVLA’s 24/7 phone service by calling 0300 123 4321. When you buy a car, the seller will provide you with a ‘new keeper’ slip (V5C/2). To tax the car, you’ll need the 12-digit reference number from this green slip.
Payment documents
Make sure you’ve got all the necessary paperwork with you when making the payment, especially if you’ve taken a loan or bought the car on finance.
What paperwork should I ask the seller for?
1. The vehicle's logbook
You’ll need reference numbers from the car’s registration document - the logbook (V5C).
The V5C proves that you’re the registered keeper of the vehicle, and it can come in handy if there is any problem or dispute further down the line - so make sure the owner hands this over to you. If the seller has lost the V5C form, you can apply for a replacement using the V62 form. Make sure that the V5C form provided to you by the seller has a ‘DVL’ watermark. Also, check the serial number provided on the logbook – if it falls between BG8229501 to BG9999030, or BI2305501 to BI2800000, the logbook might be stolen.
The V5C proves that you’re the registered keeper of the vehicle, and it can come in handy if there is any problem or dispute further down the line - so make sure the owner hands this over to you. If the seller has lost the V5C form, you can apply for a replacement using the V62 form. Make sure that the V5C form provided to you by the seller has a ‘DVL’ watermark. Also, check the serial number provided on the logbook – if it falls between BG8229501 to BG9999030, or BI2305501 to BI2800000, the logbook might be stolen.
2. Seller’s details
If you’re buying a car from a private seller and their name and address don't match the one on the car's V5C form, you should start asking questions.
Likewise, if any of the other details on the V5C don’t match the car in front of you such as the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and engine number, ask some more questions. Also, make sure you see the original, watermarked documents, and not the copies.
Likewise, if any of the other details on the V5C don’t match the car in front of you such as the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and engine number, ask some more questions. Also, make sure you see the original, watermarked documents, and not the copies.
3. Service history
Ask to see the car’s service history, including records of any work done and the vehicle’s handbook.
Check that the service book contains all the information related to the date, name and address of the garages, miles covered when the car was serviced, and the work done and its cost. It should also be duly stamped – exemption being if the service record has been maintained digitally. Not only will this reassure you that the car has been looked after, but it will also indicate that the mileage is genuine and that there are no recurring problems. Related:Do I need a vehicle history check?
Check that the service book contains all the information related to the date, name and address of the garages, miles covered when the car was serviced, and the work done and its cost. It should also be duly stamped – exemption being if the service record has been maintained digitally. Not only will this reassure you that the car has been looked after, but it will also indicate that the mileage is genuine and that there are no recurring problems. Related:Do I need a vehicle history check?
4. Proof of MOT status
All cars require a mandatory MOT test after they’ve become three years old, to ensure they’re still roadworthy.
You should ask the seller for the most recent, as well as the older MOT certificates of the vehicle. If you notice that the vehicle has failed any MOT tests in the past or if it has been recalled for any major safety issues, you should start questioning the seller. You should also check for any advisory notes written in the MOT certificate as the mentioned problems would need fixing soon. The car's MOT status can also be checked online – match the information given to you by the seller such the registration number, vehicle make and model and MOT test number with the information available online with the DVLA.
You should ask the seller for the most recent, as well as the older MOT certificates of the vehicle. If you notice that the vehicle has failed any MOT tests in the past or if it has been recalled for any major safety issues, you should start questioning the seller. You should also check for any advisory notes written in the MOT certificate as the mentioned problems would need fixing soon. The car's MOT status can also be checked online – match the information given to you by the seller such the registration number, vehicle make and model and MOT test number with the information available online with the DVLA.
5. Proof of purchase
When the deal has been done, it’s also important to get a receipt and ensure there are copies for both buyer and seller.
The receipt should include full details of the buyer and seller such as name and address, date of purchase, the vehicle’s specifications (including its registration number and mileage, as well as the basics such as vehicle make and model), and confirmation that the seller has received the agreed amount of money for the car. This receipt should be signed by both and kept as proof of purchase and payment.
The receipt should include full details of the buyer and seller such as name and address, date of purchase, the vehicle’s specifications (including its registration number and mileage, as well as the basics such as vehicle make and model), and confirmation that the seller has received the agreed amount of money for the car. This receipt should be signed by both and kept as proof of purchase and payment.
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