What documents do I need to sell my car

What documents do I need to sell my car

If you're asking what documents do I need to sell my car, the good news is the list is short. Most sellers already have everything they need sitting in a drawer at home. The trick is knowing what matters and what to do if something's gone missing.

Here's a proper rundown, and what happens if you can't put your hands on one of them.

The V5C logbook

This is the big one. Your V5C (registration certificate) proves you're the registered keeper and it's the document any buyer, including us, will ask for first.

If you've lost it, you can apply for a replacement from the DVLA. It takes a few days to arrive by post, so it's worth sorting sooner rather than later if you're planning to sell soon. In the meantime, you can still start the process — get an instant valuation and we'll talk you through timing.

One thing to watch: if you've moved house and never updated the address on your V5C, do that first. It saves a headache later.

Service history

A full service history isn't essential, but it helps paint an accurate picture of the car and can support the price you're offered. This might be a stamped service book, a folder of invoices, or digital records from a franchised dealer.

If you've got a partial history, or none at all, that's not a dealbreaker — it's just something to be upfront about. Honesty about the car's history is really the whole point of how we work: no surprises on either side.

MOT certificate

If your car is over three years old, it needs a valid MOT to be driven legally on the road (with the usual exception of driving to a pre-booked test). You don't need to print the certificate — MOT history is all held online and any buyer can check it against the registration number.

If the MOT has lapsed, that's worth mentioning when you get a valuation, as it can affect how and when the car can be collected.

Keys — all of them

Sounds obvious, but it's one of the most common things people forget. If your car came with two keys, both should go with it. Missing a second key isn't the end of the world, but it's better to flag it upfront than have it come as a surprise on collection day.

Photo ID

As the seller, you'll need to prove who you are — usually a passport or photocard driving licence. This is standard practice for any legitimate car sale and protects both sides against fraud.

Proof of address

A recent utility bill or bank statement is often asked for alongside ID, particularly if the address on it doesn't match your V5C. It's a simple check that confirms you are who you say you are.

Settlement letter if the car is on finance

If there's outstanding finance on the car — HP, PCP, or a personal loan secured against it — you'll need a settlement figure from the finance company. This tells you (and us) exactly how much needs to be paid off before the sale can complete.

You can usually get this by logging into your finance provider's online account or calling them directly. It's worth requesting it a few days before you plan to sell, as some lenders take a little time to issue it. If there's finance outstanding, we handle the settlement directly with the finance company as part of the sale, so you don't have to juggle payments yourself.

Any other paperwork worth having

A few extras that aren't strictly required but are useful to have to hand:

• Spare key fobs or remote locking devices
• Handbook and any parcel shelf or load cover
• Details of any warranty still running
• MOT advisories from previous years, if you have them

None of these will hold up a sale, but they help everything go smoothly.

What if something's missing

Missing paperwork is far more common than people think, and it's rarely a reason a sale can't go ahead. A lost V5C can be replaced. A gap in service history can be explained. Even a missing key is something we can usually work around. The key thing is to mention it early, so there are no surprises when it comes to collection.

That's really the whole approach behind how selling to us works: you tell us about the car honestly, we agree a price, and the price we agree is the price you get. No haggling on the day, no last-minute deductions because a document turned up missing.

Once everything's in order, collection is straightforward — we come to you, check the documents together, and the payment goes through there and then.

Common questions

Can I sell my car without the V5C? It's much harder without it, since it proves you're the registered keeper. If it's lost, apply for a replacement from the DVLA before selling — it usually arrives within a couple of weeks.

Do I need a full service history to sell my car? No, it's helpful but not essential. Being upfront about what history you do or don't have is more important than having a complete file.

What if my car is still on finance? You'll need a settlement figure from your finance provider. We can deal with paying off the finance directly as part of completing the sale, so you're not left managing it yourself.