The DVLA has warned motorists not to make a potentially dangerous mistake when buying a vehicle that could put them at risk of being scammed.
Whether it is new or used, buying a car can be a very exciting time, with many drivers wanting to tell their friends and family about their latest purchase.
However, the organisation suggested that drivers should never celebrate by posting their V5C, the document that proves they are the current owner of the vehicle, online.
Taking to their account on X, formerly known as Twitter, a spokesperson for the DVLA suggested that it is never a good idea for drivers to upload their V5C online.
They advised: “Stay safe online – don’t share photos of your V5C log book on social media or selling sites, as scammers can use them for identity theft.”
When buying a car, the new owner will need to fill out details on a document called a V5C, which details the state and history of the vehicle. This includes information such as the make, model, engine size, and current owner and registered keeper.
As a result, any photos of a V5C that end up online can be used by scammers to get the vehicle registered in their name without the real owner knowing about it.
Scammers can also use the information on a V5C to clone a vehicle, adding its number plates to another car to conceal the real identity of a stolen model or avoid fines for motoring offences.
A spokesperson for the DVLA-backed organisation Safe Driving for Life also highlighted that drivers should be particularly vigilent for V5C scams when they buy a car as well.
They added: “Look out for stolen V5Cs. If the seller has a blue V5C with a serial number in the ranges BG8229501 to BG9999030 or BI2305501 to BI2800000, do not go ahead with the sale and contact the police when it’s safe to do so.
“Do not buy the vehicle if you think the serial number has been altered or if part of the V5C is missing, and before buying a vehicle, check that the VIN and engine number match those on the V5C.”
To help make sure that the used vehicle they hope to buy will not be a scam, motorists can look up the car’s number plate on the DVLA website.
Whilst this free service does not state how long the current driver has owned the vehicle, users will be able to see when the last V5C document was sent, which could indicate a change in ownership.
As a result, drivers should be suspicious of any used car with a V5C that was recently altered, checking that details on the document match the vehicle in question.
