Is it expensive to get a replacement V5C?
20th May, 2024
In general, no, it’s not expensive to get a replacement V5C – they tend to cost between £20 to £30. V5Cs, otherwise known as vehicle registration documents, are very important for showing who is the registered keeper of the car. But like so many important documents, it’s not unusual for them to be lost, to the extent that one of the most common questions we often get from customers here at Scrap Car Network is: what happens if I lose my V5C? Happily though, replacing one doesn’t need to break the bank. Here’s what you need to know about costs.
How much does it cost to get a replacement V5C?
At the time of writing, if you live in Great Britain then the fee is about £25 if you order yours online, and about £26 if you do it by post. It’s a bit more expensive in Northern Ireland, setting you back about £32. It’s worth noting that those fees may be subject to change, but it’s unlikely to be by a dramatic amount, so if you’re comfortably making your insurance and car tax payments, then you’re unlikely to have a lot of difficulty accounting for an extra pound here or there on a one-off payment. (And of course, if you’re not comfortably making those payments, then to be honest you arguably have bigger issues to deal with.)
Do I need a V5C to scrap my car?
Lots of people tend to assume you do, but actually you don’t technically need a V5C to get your car scrapped. Its main function in this instance is to formally notify the DLVA that you’ve had your car dismantled – which means that as long as you make sure to inform the DVLA in writing that you’ve sold your car to a motor dealer or trader to scrap it, then you won’t technically need the V5C.
Now, to be clear, having the document to hand certainly makes the whole process go a lot more smoothly – but if you’re ready to jump through a few extra hoops (such as making sure you can provide alternative proof you’re the registered keeper), then you don’t strictly need to pay the money for a replacement.
How do I get a replacement V5C?
The whole process is pretty straightforward, whatever method you’re using. Here’s a quick breakdown of each.
Online Application
If you’re in Great Britain, you can apply for a replacement V5C online through the official government website. As we touched on above, the fee for this service is typically around £25. You’ll need to provide details about your vehicle, such as its registration number, make, model, and current address. Payment is usually made using a credit or debit card.
Postal Application
If you prefer to apply by post on the other hand, you can download and complete the form V62 from the DVLA website. Fill out the form with the required information, including details about your vehicle and your current address. Then, mail the form to the address provided on the form along with the fee (£26 at the time of writing).
Northern Ireland
If your vehicle is registered in Northern Ireland, the process may be slightly different. You can apply for a replacement V5C (known as a Vehicle Registration Certificate or ‘logbook’) through the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland. This process is typically done by post – you’ll need to download and fill out Form V62, including necessary details about yourself and the vehicle, and submit it by postal mail along with any required supporting documents and fees. The DVA will process your application and mail you the replacement V5C after verifying your information.
That’s all the key information covered! And of course, if you’ve already got all your paperwork sorted and you’re ready to scrap your car today, then you’re in exactly the right place. All you need to do is enter your car reg and postcode into the fields on our site, and we’ll get you an instant online quote before you can say cash for cars. It only takes a few seconds. Curious to find out how much your car is worth?
