Release Date: 07/03/2008
DVLA is warning motorists to be on the lookout for stolen V5C vehicle registration certificates when buying a used vehicle.

Customers are advised not to purchase the vehicle but report the matter to the police if the serial number of the registration document falls within the following ranges:

BG9167501 to BG9190500
BG9190501 to BG9214000
(Previously publicised by DVLA in February and August 2007, respectively)


BG8407501 – BG8431000
BG9282001 – BG9305000
(Very recently found to have been compromised)

If a serial number is not present, looks to have been altered or tampered with, or the vehicle is accompanied by only a part of the registration document, customers are advised not to proceed.

The stolen documents are being used by criminals to accompany stolen vehicles that have had their identity changed to match that of a legitimate vehicle. This practice is known as cloning. The cloned vehicles are being sold to unsuspecting members of the public who can suffer significant losses when the vehicles are found to be stolen. This activity is outside of DVLA's control and the Agency becomes aware of these incidents only after the event, when the innocent victims of this crime submit the stolen documents.

DVLA is working closely with the police service to help protect the public and is offering every possible assistance in preventing the abuse by criminals of the vehicle registration system.

The stolen certificates have a different background colour on the Notification of Permanent Export (V5C/4) tear off slip on the second page, which looks mauve on the front and pink on the reverse. On legitimate documents they should be mauve on both sides.

Prospective purchasers are urged to check the serial number that appears at the top right hand corner of the registration certificate before purchasing a used vehicle.

If a member of the public wishes to check the validity of a registration certificate prior to the purchase of a vehicle, they can call the DVLA hotline on 0870 241 1878.