Selling a Car to a Motor Trader: What to Do With Your V5C in 2026
When you sell or part-exchange a car to a motor trader, you must tell DVLA that you have sold the vehicle. You can do this online using your V5C logbook or by posting the yellow motor trade section to DVLA.
The trader can also notify DVLA online with your consent, but you should make sure the notification is completed.
Once DVLA has been notified, your vehicle tax will be cancelled and you will receive a refund for any full unused months.
Table of Contents
- How to Notify DVLA When Selling to a Motor Trader
- How to Complete the Yellow V5C Section
- What Happens to Your V5C After the Sale?
- What If You Sell to a Trader Without a V5C?
- What Happens to Your Vehicle Tax?
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to Notify DVLA When Selling to a Motor Trader
The quickest way to notify DVLA is through its official online service.
You can complete the notification yourself or give the trader permission to do it.
Notify DVLA Online
- Visit Tell DVLA You've Sold, Transferred or Bought a Vehicle.
- Select the option for selling or transferring your vehicle to a motor trader.
- Enter the vehicle registration number and the 11-digit document reference number from the yellow section of your V5C.
- Enter the trader's details and follow the instructions to submit the notification.
- Keep the confirmation for your records.
The online service is available:
| Day | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 7am–9pm |
| Saturday and Sunday | 7am–8pm |
If the trader completes the notification for you, ask them to do it while you are present so you know the transfer has been recorded.
DVLA can send confirmation by email when an online notification is completed.
Important
Do not share photographs of your V5C or its document reference number with potential buyers. DVLA warns that these details could be used fraudulently.
How to Complete the Yellow V5C Section
If you are notifying DVLA by post rather than online, use the yellow section of your V5C marked for selling or transferring a vehicle to the motor trade.
This is:
- Section 4 on newer V5C logbooks.
- Section 9 on older V5C logbooks.
Complete the section with the motor trader's details and the date of sale, following the instructions printed on your V5C.
Detach the completed yellow section and send it to:
Swansea
SA99 1BD
Give the remainder of the V5C to the motor trader.
You should keep a record of the trader's details and the date of sale, along with proof of postage.
Do not send the yellow section if you have already completed the notification online.
What Happens to Your V5C After the Sale?
What happens to the logbook depends on how DVLA is notified.
| Notification Method | What Happens to the V5C? |
|---|---|
| You notify DVLA online | Give the V5C to the trader, retaining your notification confirmation |
| Trader notifies DVLA online with your consent | The trader uses the V5C details to complete the notification |
| You notify DVLA by post | Send the completed yellow motor trade section to DVLA and give the remainder to the trader |
Keep a dated receipt or invoice from the trader showing the vehicle registration number, the trader's business details and the sale date.
If you want to keep a personalised registration number, remove it from the vehicle before selling.
What If You Sell to a Trader Without a V5C?
You can sell a vehicle without a V5C, but you cannot use DVLA's online sale notification service without the logbook.
Instead, you must write to DVLA to notify them of the sale.
Include:
- Your full name and address.
- The vehicle registration number.
- The vehicle's make and model.
- The exact date you sold the vehicle.
- The motor trader's full name and address.
Send your letter to:
Swansea
SA99 1BA
Make sure you pay the correct postage.
The trader may need to apply for a V5C using form V62 if they do not have the logbook.
Should You Replace Your V5C Before Selling?
If you have not yet sold the vehicle, obtaining a replacement V5C may make the transaction more straightforward.
If you are the registered keeper and your details have not changed, you may be able to request a replacement V5C online.
If you cannot use the online service, you may need to apply by post using form V62.
Need Help with Your V62 Application?
Complete your details online and let CarForms handle the printing, DVLA fee and postage for £49.95.
Start Your V62 Application →CarForms is an independent service. You can also apply directly through DVLA, and DVLA remains responsible for issuing the replacement logbook.
What Happens to Your Vehicle Tax?
When DVLA receives notification that you have sold your vehicle, your vehicle tax is cancelled automatically.
If you pay by Direct Debit, DVLA will cancel it.
You will also receive a refund cheque for any full unused months of vehicle tax. The refund is calculated from the date DVLA receives your notification and sent to the name and address recorded on the V5C.
You do not need to submit a separate vehicle tax refund application.
If your refund has not arrived after eight weeks, contact DVLA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Articles
→ How Long Does V5C Take To Arrive?
→ DVLA Application Tracking: How to Check Your Application in 2026
Sources
The information in this article is based on official GOV.UK and DVLA guidance.
→ Tell DVLA You've Sold, Transferred or Bought a Vehicle — GOV.UK
→ DVLA: How to Tell Us You've Sold or Transferred Your Vehicle — Inside DVLA
→ Tell DVLA Your Vehicle Has Been Written Off — GOV.UK
→ Cancel Your Vehicle Tax and Get a Refund — GOV.UK
→ Get a Vehicle Log Book (V5C) — GOV.UK
→ Driving Fines and Letters When You Do Not Own the Vehicle — GOV.UK
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