What to Do With The V5C Logbook When Scrapping a Car?

When you scrap a car, you need to fill in the ‘Transfer to a motor trader, insurer or dismantler’ section of the V5C logbook to tell the DVLA the vehicle is being scrapped. It’s Section 4 on the newer red logbooks and Section 9 on the older blue ones.

You can post that slip to the DVLA, but most people now use the online service after they scrapped their car because it’s quicker and a lot less faff. The digital process takes just a couple of minutes and the DVLA updates the record instantly. You’ll also get an email confirmation, which is handy to keep.

Completing the V5C and notification process, whether online or by post, formally removes the car from your name, which means no surprise fines, tax reminders or enforcement letters later. It’s the small step that protects you once the car is gone.

What is the V5 document?

The V5C document is also known as a logbook, V5 or registration document – it’s the multi-coloured A4-sized document that details a car’s registered keeper, their address and some details about the vehicle, including the make, model, colour, registration mark and when it was first registered.

The V5C is an official document that’s issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and it’s the vehicle’s registered keeper’s responsibility to return appropriate sections of the V5C to the DVLA to keep them updated with changes to the vehicle or its ownership.

How to complete your V5C logbook when scrapping your car

To transfer responsibility when scrapping your car, you’ll need to complete the yellow V5C/3 (Section 9 of the V5C logbook, or Section 4 on the newer red version) and send it to the DVLA so they can update the keeper record.

You’ll be asked to provide the scrap yard’s business name, address and VAT or company number, plus the date the vehicle was handed over. The collection driver will add their signature on behalf of the ATF, confirming they’ve taken the car.

Once that slip is filled out, you post it to the DVLA or complete the process online. The driver will take the rest of the V5C logbook with the vehicle, and your part of the process is complete.

Do I need a logbook to scrap a car?

A lot of people ask, “Can I scrap a car without a log book?” The answer? Yes! While the logbook makes the process slightly easier, a lost V5 doesn’t make scrapping your car difficult.

We have a full page dedicated to scrapping a car without a V5 – but quite simply, if you want to scrap your car without the logbook, you just need to send the DVLA a letter including the same details they would normally take from section 9 of the V5C (or section 4 on newer documents). The details you need to include in your letter are:

• Your name and address details
• The vehicle’s registration number
• The date of the sale
• The name, address, and VAT number of the scrap yard buying your car

It’s a good idea to write a letter before collection – leaving space for the person who’s collecting your car to complete their details. Don’t worry if you don’t though – we can provide you with details of the car scrap yard you’ve dealt with if you write your letter after collection. When complete, this letter should be sent to:

DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BD

Alternatively, If you happen to have recorded the 11-digit reference number from the front of your V5C, you can let the DVLA know using their dedicated online service between 7am and 7pm daily.

What happens if I don’t return the V5C to the DVLA?

It’s important that the DVLA have the most up-to-date details for the person who’s responsible for each vehicle on UK roads. Without these details, there can be mix-ups and misunderstandings – especially when trying to decide who is responsible for other legal matters relating to the car, especially road tax.

If you fail to update the DVLA when your car is sold, they may still hold you responsible for any gaps in tax – as well as any issues relating to the disposal of the car. In some cases, these issues can lead to large fines – so it’s worth making sure a fully completed section 9 (or section 4 on newer documents) of the log book is returned promptly.

Will a missing logbook impact the price I’m offered for my car?

Although you might find some other scrapping services suggest that a missing log book will reduce the price you’re offered, this simply is not true when you use Car.co.uk. People can be a little uncertain around the paperwork procedures involved with scrapping a car, but you can be confident that the DVLA do not need the log book if you can provide an alternative. 

As such, any scrap service that suggests you need to pay the £25 log book replacement fee is either slightly misinformed or they’re trying to reduce the price you’re offered! 

At Car.co.uk, we don’t just make sure you get a great price, we guarantee scrapping your car is simple and stress-free, even if you don’t have your V5C logbook.