Can I buy a used car without a V5C log book?

The V5C is not proof of ownership, but it is the key registration document linking the vehicle to the registered keeper and its recorded details. DVLA specifically advises buyers not to purchase a used vehicle that has no V5C.

If you do go ahead, you may need to apply using form V62 and pay for a replacement log book. You should also confirm that the registration, VIN, make, model and other details match DVLA records before money changes hands.

A missing V5C can have innocent explanations, but it can also make stolen, cloned or incorrectly registered vehicles harder to spot. Treat it as a reason to slow down, not as a minor piece of paperwork to sort out later.

For 'Can I buy a used car without a V5C log book?', keep a written record of the exact vehicle, seller details and checks you relied on before payment. That evidence is far more useful later than relying on memory or verbal promises.