How to tell if a V5C logbook is fake
A forged V5C is one of the tools scammers use to sell cloned or stolen cars. A good fake will pass a casual glance but usually fails at least one of the four checks below. Take two minutes to check them all.
1. Check the watermark
Hold the V5C up to daylight. A genuine document shows a repeated "DVL" watermark pattern running across the whole sheet. A fake on regular paper will not have it.
2. Check the serial number
The V5C has a unique serial number (sometimes called the document reference) in the top right corner. Certain historical ranges were flagged by the DVLA as stolen blank stock (famously BG8229501 to BG9999030 and BI2305501 to BI2800000). If the serial falls in a known-bad range, walk away and report it.
3. Check the paper stock, colour and print quality
- A genuine V5C is printed on heavy, slightly textured paper.
- The colour is a consistent red-pink across the whole document.
- Fonts are crisp, kerning is consistent.
- No blurring, no pixelation, no signs of home printing.
4. Cross-check against an independent history report
This is the most reliable check of all. Run a full history check against the registration. The VIN, make, model, colour and keeper count on the report should match the V5C exactly. Any mismatch is a fail — a forged V5C can be made to look right, but the DVLA record in the report cannot be.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I spot a fake V5C?
Walk away immediately. Do not hand over any money. Report the listing to the police and Action Fraud.
Can the DVLA confirm a V5C over the phone?
They do not confirm document authenticity over the phone. An independent history check against the registration is the practical way to verify.
Is a duplicate V5C the same as a fake?
No. A duplicate is a legitimate DVLA-issued replacement marked "DUPLICATE". It is not a fake, but it is worth asking why the original is missing.