New Vehicle Registration Certificates V5C

[Robert C]

I was wondering whether anyone else had received a new red Vehicle Registration Certifcate (V5C).

According to the enclosed leaflet - The DVLA say they "are replacing all existing blue V5Cs. The new certificate is being introduced following the theft of a number of blank blue V5Cs. The aim is to reduce the risks to motorists of buying a stolen or cloned vehicle for tips and advice goto http://www.direct.gov.uk/buyerbeware"

The leaflet

One has to comment "a number" of certificates.... sounds like an understatement! especially as they are reissuing every V5C.

Did I miss any news of them being stolen in the first place?

Robert

[varsas]

Nope, hadn't heard about this, and haven't got one. The last car I bought had a slightly different form (with a note saying something like "This doesn't prove ownership") but I think it was still blue...

[falkster]

I thought this was common knowledge? I have had the new one through for my M3 and 968 even though I've not changed address or any details. The theft of the old ones was the reason.

[LooneyTunes]

Had one arrive yesterday.

Seems like there might have been quite a few get nicked:

DVLA said:

Look out for stolen V5Cs. If the seller has a blue V5C with a serial number in the following ranges don’t go ahead with the sale and contact the police when it’s safe to do so:
BG8229501 to BG9999030
BI2305501 to BI2800000
The serial number is in a white circle in the top right hand corner of the V5C.

[Puddenchucker]

IIRC, the estimate was something like 80,000 to 130,000 stolen blank V5 docs.

[sjj84]

Weren't they stolen in something like 2006? The new red ones have been around for a while now, they weren't sending them out simply to replace though, only when a change of keeper etc. Has this now changed?

[Stephanie Plum]

I had one through today as well for one of the fleet.

[Mrs BlueCerbera]

I was surprised to receive one today too. No other changes to any details, just a leaflet explaining that all blue v5s will be replaced with red ones. Can't remember what date they are aiming for.