Does the V5C Document Reference Number Change?

[Mr Sunny Jim]

Forgive me if this has been covered before but neither google or the search function has provided an answer. My question is as per the thread title, does the V5C document reference number change when a new V5C is issued for a vehicle?

A bit of background: I went to look at a van and might well have bought it but the seller had lost the V5. I wouldn't part with any cash without the correct V5 being present and advised the seller to apply for a new one. I got a message from him today saying that he had contacted the company who owned the van before him and they had provided the reference number off their old V5 and I could use that to tax the van. I thought he was mistaken but have (as yet) been unable to find a definitive answer.

Thanks in advance.

[quinny100]

Yes, the Doc Ref changes with each issue of the V5 so an old one would be no good to you.

[Wooda80]

In this case if the seller is a dealer then the "old" V5 that the previous owner has may well be the current one.

To make sure ask the dealer to attempt to tax the car using the 12 digit serial number on the V5C/2 green slip. If after entering the reg number and the serial number the website progresses to the next screen then you have the latest V5. You can then abort transaction if you are not ready to tax the van yet. If instead the next screen is an error message then your V5 is not the latest one and you'll need to apply for a new one.

Now that keeper change and taxing is done on line there is little or no value to having the original document to hand.

[Mr Sunny Jim]

Thank you both for your replies, most helpful.