Which part of the V5C logbook do I use when scrapping my car?

When you scrap your car, one of the most important steps is correctly filling out and sending the right part of your V5C logbook (vehicle registration certificate) to the DVLA. This ensures you're no longer legally responsible for the vehicle. But with multiple sections on the V5C — and older vs newer versions in circulation — it’s easy to get confused. At blackburnscrapyard.co.uk, we guide customers through this step every day to ensure the notification is sent to the DVLA properly and promptly.

Which Part of the V5C Should You Use?

Use the section titled “Notification of sale or transfer to a motor trader, insurer or dismantler”. On most V5Cs, this is a small, tear-off slip located at the bottom right of the document. It’s often referred to as the “yellow slip” and is labeled either:

This section is also known as V5C/3 and is specifically designed for notifying DVLA of transfers to scrap yards or motor traders. Do not send the sections meant for private sales — those are for individual buyer transactions and do not apply when scrapping.

Section 9 = motor trader notification on older V5Cs.

Section 4 = equivalent on newer V5Cs (same purpose).

It is usually yellow and clearly mentions “motor trader” or “dismantler.”

This is the only part you keep and send — give the rest to the scrap yard.

Step-by-Step: Filling Out the Correct Section

1. Locate the Right Section

On your V5C, find the slip labeled for transfer to a trader, insurer, or dismantler. This is either Section 9 or Section 4, depending on your V5C version. It should say something like “Sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade.” On older forms, it’s often distinctly yellow and perforated for easy removal.

2. Fill In the Scrapyard’s Details

Write down the full name and address of the ATF (Authorised Treatment Facility) that is taking your vehicle. If you’re using blackburnscrapyard.co.uk, we’ll give you our official details to write down correctly. Be as accurate as possible — this info will go into DVLA’s system.

3. Enter the Date of Transfer

This is the date you handed the vehicle over to the scrap yard — either when they collected it or when you delivered it. It marks the end of your responsibility for tax, MOT, insurance, and any future offences involving the car.

4. Sign the Slip

As the registered keeper, you must sign the designated field. The scrapyard does not need to sign the V5C slip — though some will offer to stamp it as a courtesy or for your own records. DVLA only requires your signature.

5. Tear Off and Keep That Section

Carefully tear off the slip from the rest of the V5C. This is the only portion you keep and send to DVLA. The rest of the logbook — including the sections with vehicle and keeper info — should be handed to the scrap yard. They might store it for auditing or disposal purposes.

6. Send It to DVLA

Mail your completed notification slip to:

DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD

We recommend sending it promptly and taking a quick photo or photocopy for your records. While the post is generally reliable, having a backup copy is always a smart move — especially if DVLA asks for follow-up info.

Online Notification? Skip the Paper Slip

If you choose to notify DVLA online using their vehicle sale and disposal portal, you do not need to send any part of the V5C by post. Instead, enter the 11-digit reference number from the V5C, select that you’re disposing of the car to a dismantler or motor trader, and input the scrap yard’s name and the transfer date. After submitting, DVLA will instantly update your records and advise you to destroy the V5C.

You may still give the full V5C to the scrap yard — it helps them verify the vehicle’s identity, and they’ll handle it securely.

What Happens After You Send the Slip?

Once DVLA processes your postal notification, they’ll send you a confirmation letter within 2–4 weeks. This letter will state that you are no longer the registered keeper of the vehicle. If you haven’t received it after 4 weeks, contact DVLA to check whether they received your notification. If not, your copy or photo of the slip may come in handy to prove your action.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

How We Help at Blackburn Scrapyard

When you scrap a car with blackburnscrapyard.co.uk, we’ll confirm exactly which section of your V5C you need to send. We’ll provide the scrapyard details you need for the form and even help you fill it out during collection if needed. For customers using the online route, we walk you through the form and show you how to complete the notification in minutes. If your V5C is missing or partially filled, we’ll help you write a letter to DVLA as a backup.

We help you locate the correct V5C section — new or old style.

We provide the scrap yard address to enter on the yellow slip.

If you notify DVLA online, we’ll explain how and what to enter.

If you’re missing your V5C, we’ll help you send a written notification instead.

Contact us today if you’re not sure which section to use or need help sending your DVLA notification. We make every part of the scrapping process simple and legally secure.

Useful Resources

Still not sure which part to send? Talk to our team now — we’ll show you exactly how to notify DVLA the right way.

Legal Context

The V5C is divided into sections for different notification scenarios. For scrapping (which is essentially transferring the vehicle to a motor trader/dismantler), the relevant part is titled “Notification of sale or transfer to a motor trader, insurer or dismantler” – on the latest V5C forms, this is Section 4 (for new style) or Section 9 on older forms (commonly on the yellow slip). This is often referred to as the yellow slip. Legally, sending this completed slip to DVLA fulfills your requirement to notify disposal. The rest of the V5C (which includes sections with new keeper details, etc.) is not needed by you; you hand it to the scrapyard. The scrapyard might use information from it for their records, but they don’t send it to DVLA (DVLA only needs your slip or online notification). If you notify online, the system replaces the need to mail the slip and instructs you to destroy the V5C.

Why This Matters

Many people are unsure “which part do I tear out?”. The design of the V5C changed over time, causing confusion (older guides refer to section numbers that changed on newer forms). If someone has an older logbook, it’s section 9. On the current form (post-2019), sections were renumbered; the slip for dealers/traders is section 4. The color is usually still distinct (yellow). This causes anxiety about sending the right piece. Another point of confusion: sometimes people mistakenly send the whole logbook, which can lead to them not having anything to give the scrap yard – not catastrophic, but not ideal. Conversely, some might forget to send the slip at all. There’s also the worry, “Do I need to get the scrapyard to sign or stamp the V5C?” – typically, the keeper signs the slip; a signature of the scrap company isn’t required by DVLA, but some yards will stamp it for your assurance.

Quick Step-by-Step Summary

  • Locate the correct section: On your V5C registration document, find the section designated for transfer to a motor trader or dismantler. On most V5Cs, this is a small tear-off slip on the bottom. It may be yellow and titled “Sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade.” Check the form: if it has numbered sections, look for the one referring to motor traders/dismantlers (older: Section 9; newer: Section 4). Fill in scrap yard details: Write the name and address of the scrapyard/ATF to whom you’re giving the car. Also fill in the date of transfer (the day you handed over the vehicle for scrap). Sign the slip: Sign where it asks for the keeper’s signature. The scrap yard operator can sign the trader section if present, but if not, don’t worry – DVLA only requires your signature as notification. (It’s good practice to have the scrap yard stamp or sign it too for your records, but not mandatory.) Detach the slip: Carefully tear off that section from the V5C. This is your part to keep and send. The rest of the V5C (the larger portion) should be given to the scrap yard. They might keep it on file to eventually destroy or for audit. Send to DVLA: Mail the completed slip to the DVLA address (printed on the V5C, usually DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD or a similar address indicated). Do this promptly. It’s wise to photocopy or photograph it for your records before sending. If doing it online: If instead you used the online DVLA service to report scrapping, you do not mail any slip. In that case, DVLA will update electronically and instruct you to destroy the V5C. If you go this route, you can hand over the entire V5C to the scrap yard after completing the online process (or you can keep it and shred it yourself, since it’s invalidated). Double check: The section title should mention words like “motor trade” or “dismantler.” Make sure you don’t send the section meant for notifying a private sale (that’s a different section). The scrap scenario specifically uses the trader/dismantler section.

Sources & References

  • GOV.UK – How to scrap your vehicle; GOV.UK – Changes to V5C format and layout

Helpful External Links

  • https://www.gov.uk/scrapped-vehicle, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/v5c-registration-certificate-changes