Bought a Car Without a Logbook: What Should You Do First?

If you have recently bought a vehicle in Great Britain but did not receive the vehicle’s logbook (officially called the V5C registration certificate), your first step is to apply for a new V5C using form V62. The V5C is essential as it records the registered keeper of the vehicle and is needed for taxing and selling the car in the future.

Why You Need to Apply for a V5C Using Form V62

The V5C is issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). When you buy a car, the seller should normally send the V5C to DVLA to notify them of the change of keeper, or provide you with the green “new keeper” slip from the most recent V5C. If you have neither the V5C nor the new keeper slip, you must apply for a replacement V5C by post using form V62.

Form V62 is a paper-only form that cannot be completed online. You need to fill it in and send it to the DVLA along with a £25 fee (paid by cheque or postal order). This process officially registers you as the vehicle’s keeper and allows you to obtain the logbook.

How to Apply for a V5C with Form V62

Download and print form V62 from the official DVLA website or obtain it from a Post Office.
Complete the form with details about yourself and the vehicle.
If you have the green new keeper slip from the seller, include it with your application. This slip must be from the most recent V5C; if not included, you will still have to pay the £25 fee.
Include payment of £25 by cheque or postal order made payable to ‘DVLA, Swansea’.
Post the completed form and payment to the DVLA address provided on the form.

After you apply, it usually takes about 4 weeks to receive your new V5C by post. If you do not receive it within 6 weeks, contact DVLA to check on the status.

Taxing Your Vehicle Without a Logbook

You can tax your vehicle at the same time as applying for the V5C by:

Going to a Post Office that deals with vehicle tax and bringing your completed V62 form and payment.
Taxing online or by phone is only possible if you have the 11-digit reference number from your V5C or the 12-digit number from a new keeper slip, so this is not an option if you have neither.

Without a V5C or new keeper slip, you cannot tax your vehicle online or by phone. Using the Post Office is the practical option.

Important Points to Remember

The V62 form is only for applying for a new V5C when you do not have the logbook or need to register as the new keeper.
If you already have a V5C but need to change details, you should use the V5C correction process instead.
The £25 fee is required when applying for a replacement V5C using form V62.
Always check that the green new keeper slip is from the most recent V5C issue date, as this confirms the vehicle’s most recent registered keeper.

For vehicles registered in Northern Ireland or those taken abroad, different procedures may apply, so check with the relevant authorities.

In summary, if you have bought a car without a logbook in Great Britain, your immediate practical step is to complete and post form V62 to the DVLA with the appropriate fee. This will register you as the keeper and provide you with the official logbook, enabling you to tax your vehicle and comply with legal requirements.

Official reference: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-a-vehicle-registration-certificate. Topic-specific official guidance. Topic-specific official guidance. Always check the latest official guidance. Related forms: Browse our form category.

Important: This article provides general information. Government rules, forms and procedures can change, and this article may not reflect the latest updates. Check current GOV.UK guidance or the relevant authority before relying on it. ITG & Co. is independent and is not affiliated with a government department.