Sell your car in Belfast

Step by step

1. Make sure your log book details are up to date Recommended

   Before selling, apply to update your log book (V5C) if you have changed your name or address or made changes to the vehicle. If your details are incorrect you may not get a refund for the full months left on your vehicle tax.

   GOV.UK – Selling a vehicle
2. Remove a personalised number plate you want to keep Required by law

   If the vehicle has a private (personalised) registration number that you want to keep, you must apply to remove it before you sell the vehicle.

   GOV.UK – Selling a vehicle
3. Show the log book to buyers, but don't share its reference number Recommended

   You can show potential buyers your log book so they can check the details match the vehicle. Do not share the log book's document reference number or pictures or copies of it: these can be used to get a fraudulent copy and clone or steal the vehicle.

   GOV.UK – Selling a vehicle
4. Give the buyer the green 'new keeper' slip Required by law

   When the buyer is keeping the vehicle in the UK, give them the green 'new keeper' slip from the log book (V5C). The slip must come from the most recent V5C; the buyer needs it if they have to apply for a log book with form V62.

   GOV.UK – Selling a vehicle
5. Tell DVLA you've sold the vehicle Required by law

   You must tell DVLA about the sale and give the buyer's full name and address. Use the free 'Tell DVLA' online service (Mon–Fri 7am–9pm, Sat–Sun 7am–8pm) unless you have already posted the V5C or don't have one; without a log book, write to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA with your details, the registration number, make and model, exact date of sale and the new keeper's name and address.

   GOV.UK – Tell DVLA you've sold, transferred or bought a vehicle
6. Get the refund of remaining vehicle tax Recommended

   Once you tell DVLA, the vehicle tax is cancelled (a Direct Debit stops automatically) and a refund cheque for any full months left is sent automatically to the name and address on the log book. Vehicle tax is not transferred to the buyer.

   GOV.UK – Cancel your vehicle tax and get a refund
7. Buyer taxes and insures the vehicle before driving it Required by law Buyer

   The buyer must tax the vehicle before driving it, or declare it off the road (SORN), because the seller's vehicle tax is not transferred with the vehicle.

   GOV.UK – Tell DVLA you've sold, transferred or bought a vehicle

Documents checklist

Tick what you already have. This stays on your device, and none of it is needed to post your car.

• Vehicle log book (V5C, vehicle registration certificate)The seller keeps the main document and uses it to tell DVLA online; the green 'new keeper' slip goes to the buyer. Without a V5C the seller must notify DVLA by letter, and the buyer applies for a new one with form V62.Required by law
• Green 'new keeper' slip (V5C/2)Handed to the buyer at the sale. It must be from the most recent V5C; if the buyer applies for a log book without it they pay £25.Required by law
• MOT test certificate (Northern Ireland: paper vehicle test certificate)In Great Britain MOT status and history are online. In Northern Ireland the DVA issues an A4 paper certificate and the last keeper should pass it on to the buyer; otherwise a duplicate costs £10.Recommended

Stay safe when buyers contact you

• Never share the V5C document reference number or photos/copies of the log book; they can be used to obtain a fraudulent log book and clone or steal the vehicle (GOV.UK).
• Buyers are advised not to pay in cash and to buy at the registered keeper's address shown on the V5 log book (nidirect).
• Some traders pose as private sellers; buyers from a private seller have fewer legal rights than when buying from a trader (nidirect).