The single most important document is the V5C registration certificate (logbook) — you must notify the DVLA of the change of keeper on the day you sell, either online at gov.uk or by post using the yellow "sell, transfer or part-exchange" section, and give the buyer the green "new keeper" slip. Fail to do this and you can remain legally liable for speeding tickets, congestion charges and even the vehicle's tax until DVLA records catch up, and failing to notify DVLA at all can bring a fine of up to £1,000.
At a glance
| Document | What to do with it |
|---|---|
| V5C logbook | Complete the sale section, send yellow slip to DVLA (or notify online), give green slip to buyer |
| MOT certificate | Hand over the current certificate; it stays with the car, not the seller |
| Service history/handbook | Hand over to support the sale and the buyer's future maintenance |
| Sale receipt | Write and both sign; state price, mileage, date, and sale terms |
| Outstanding finance | Must be settled/disclosed before transferring ownership |
The V5C: the document that actually matters most
The V5C (log book) proves who is registered as the keeper — not necessarily the legal owner — of a vehicle. When you sell, you must complete the relevant section and notify DVLA the same day, either online at gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle (fastest, and DVLA recommends this route) or by posting the yellow section of the V5C. Give the buyer the green "new keeper" slip (V5C/2) so they have proof of the transaction while the new full logbook is issued in their name.
Until DVLA processes the change of keeper, you remain the registered keeper on record — meaning speeding and parking fines, congestion or clean air zone charges, and even a claim you still owe vehicle tax can land on you for a car you no longer drive. Don't rely on a buyer's promise to "sort it"; notify DVLA yourself the same day.
Other documents to hand over
- The current MOT certificate — it belongs with the car, not the seller, and remains valid for the new keeper until it expires.
- Service history, handbook and any spare keys — not legally required, but expected and affects the price a buyer will pay.
- Any receipts for recent significant work (tyres, brakes, timing belt), which support your asking price and reassure the buyer.
Writing a proper sale receipt
A simple, signed receipt protects both parties. Include the date, both parties' full names and addresses, the registration number, make/model, mileage at sale, the agreed price, and how it was paid. If you're selling without offering any warranty, state clearly that the car is "sold as seen, sold as tested, no warranty given or implied" — this is standard private-sale wording and helps manage later disputes, though it doesn't excuse a seller who deliberately misrepresented the car.
Outstanding finance
If there's an outstanding finance agreement (HP or PCP) on the car, you legally cannot sell it without either settling the finance first or being transparent with the buyer and using the sale proceeds to clear it as part of the transaction. Selling a car with undisclosed outstanding finance can expose you to legal claims from both the buyer and the finance company, since the finance company technically owns the car until it's paid off.
Tax and the sale
Vehicle tax is not transferable between keepers — it automatically cancels the moment DVLA processes the change of keeper, and any full remaining months are refunded automatically to the seller. The buyer must tax the car themselves before driving it, even if it shows time left under the previous keeper.
Step-by-step summary
- Agree the price and payment method with the buyer.
- Complete the V5C sale section and notify DVLA the same day (online is fastest).
- Give the buyer the green new-keeper slip, MOT certificate, service history and any spare keys.
- Write and both sign a sale receipt.
- Confirm vehicle tax is cancelled/refunded and that any outstanding finance was settled.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I don't tell DVLA I've sold my car?
Do I get a refund on road tax when I sell my car?
Can I sell a car with outstanding finance on it?
Does the MOT certificate transfer to the new owner?
What should a private car sale receipt include?
Sources & further reading
- GOV.UK — Tell DVLA you've sold, transferred or bought a vehicle
- GOV.UK — Vehicle tax rates and refunds
Figures, prices and policy details were current at the last-updated date above. Automotive pricing, incentives and regulations change frequently — verify time-sensitive details with the linked primary sources. Read our editorial policy and fact-checking standards.
