22 replies to this topic

[Shaun78]

Hi another thing to try would be speak to david at dvlaadvice.co.uk,he helped me with two imported motorcycles i had with no documents,he may know a way to help.

[mab01uk]

There was a cutoff date on the old fold-up logbooks to be converted to V5s, early 2,000s, IIRC.

After the cutoff the Registration was void and the DVLA would be able to sell the Reg No. off.

If the V5 wasn't applied for back then all DVLA records are gone, I'm afraid.

 

However in such a case if the car turns up as a 'barn find' having missed the DVLA records computerisation deadline, and the owner still has the old fold-up green log book, ideally with some old tax discs and MOT's as documentation, then car clubs such as the 'Mini Cooper Register' have a DVLA V765 Contact for 'Vehicle Registration Recovery'. They are authorised by the DVLA as a Club marque specialist (in this case for Minis) who can check the car exists and that any available surviving documents prove that the original registration should be re-issued along with a new V5 log book.

I have used this same service with the '1959 Mini Register' and it did result in an early Mini with an old green log book, being put back on the DVLA computer database with its original registration, which suprisingly was also transferable which most are usually not.

Edited by mab01uk, 20 May 2026 - 10:40 PM.

[mab01uk]

 

I rather suspect my 1968 mini has gone to the 'great behind in the sky' (to quote Hylda Baker) many decades ago. Which is probably why its not found the reg.

 

 

Does your 1968 Mini registration come up ok on the Gov DVLA Car Tax Check website?

If so what is the date of the last V5C (logbook) issued. This date and the last date taxed, if shown gives a good idea if the Mini has long gone....with a small chance it is sitting in a barn/garage somewhere awaiting discovery/restoration!

https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax

Edited by mab01uk, 20 May 2026 - 10:48 PM.

[mini_matt_106]

Letters 2 & 3 of suffix and prefix numberplates are the code for the local DVLC office which registered the car. There's a list on Wikipedia. The records were ultimately transferred to local councils. But record-keeping has been patchy and even if the original registration is found the record may not contain the VIN (mine didn't :-( ). Most councils will do a search of the records (for a fee) and some will even tell you whether they have a record (for free) but each council has its own way of organising that. The records will probably only go as far as the date that registration was centralised - I'm not sure when that was.

If you can't find the vin, best bet may be to apply for an "age-related registration". There's a list of approved organisations who'll inspect the car - I think on DVLA's website. If successful, DVLA give you a numberplate ending in "M" but not the original. The new number will likely be non-transferable.

 

Non transferable meaning realistically I wouldn't be able to sell the car once complete?

[mini_matt_106]

 

 

Checking for tax on Gov.uk does find the details for the car but no VIN/chassis number.

 

 

If checking for tax on Gov.uk does find the details for the car as you have confimed (but of course no VIN/chassis number) then your 1973 Van is definitely on the central computerised DVLA database which was first created in the 1970's, plus if the last logbook was issued in 1981 this also confirms it made it onto the computerised vehicle database.

 

As I said in my previous post above the full details along with the VIN have almost certainly gone on the DVLA's 'backup' database due to the long period of inactivity, which often happens. However the DVLA won't issue a V5 unless the person applying has the VIN/Chassis number to prevent fraudulent applications for V5's from persons who may not own the car. 

 

I think all the various HPi search databases, etc are only licenced to refer to the DVLA's current 'live' vehicle database and not the 'backup' inactive vehicle database, which is almost certainly why your reg no. comes up as 'registration not found' on them.

 

 The plot thickens, I have a printout from when I first tried this last year, with all the details there. Now, it comes back as details not found. I'm wondering if when I applied for a v5 with just the reg, they removed it from the database? I don't know if that would be something they would do? I think I need to re read the letter they sent back to me.

[alpder]

Non transferable meaning realistically I wouldn't be able to sell the car once complete?

 

Even DVLA aren't that evil. Non-transferable would just prevent you selling the reg number separately from the car.

 

I'd recommend (as others have) getting in touch with a Mini club which has a DVLA officer. Paul Sulma at Mini Cooper Register was great when I spoke to him - gave me half an hour of free advice on the phone, though in the end I sold that car before getting as far as a V765 application. You don't need to be a member to use their V765 service. There is a fee. And you have to get the car to them for inspection... Twickenham I think it was. email v765@minicooper.org . But unless you're that way, you may do better to find an approved club local to you.

Edited by alpder, 21 May 2026 - 02:13 PM.

[MikeRotherham]

 

 

I rather suspect my 1968 mini has gone to the 'great behind in the sky' (to quote Hylda Baker) many decades ago. Which is probably why its not found the reg.

 

 

Does your 1968 Mini registration come up ok on the Gov DVLA Car Tax Check website?

If so what is the date of the last V5C (logbook) issued. This date and the last date taxed, if shown gives a good idea if the Mini has long gone....with a small chance it is sitting in a barn/garage somewhere awaiting discovery/restoration!

https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax

 

I did check that but came up not found.

 

It wasn't in the best condition when it was sold in 1974!

 

We were clueless about minis in those days, I'm pleased to say I'm a bit more clued up now.

[mab01uk]

 

 

 

Checking for tax on Gov.uk does find the details for the car but no VIN/chassis number.

 

 

If checking for tax on Gov.uk does find the details for the car as you have confimed (but of course no VIN/chassis number) then your 1973 Van is definitely on the central computerised DVLA database which was first created in the 1970's, plus if the last logbook was issued in 1981 this also confirms it made it onto the computerised vehicle database.

 

As I said in my previous post above the full details along with the VIN have almost certainly gone on the DVLA's 'backup' database due to the long period of inactivity, which often happens. However the DVLA won't issue a V5 unless the person applying has the VIN/Chassis number to prevent fraudulent applications for V5's from persons who may not own the car. 

 

I think all the various HPi search databases, etc are only licenced to refer to the DVLA's current 'live' vehicle database and not the 'backup' inactive vehicle database, which is almost certainly why your reg no. comes up as 'registration not found' on them.

 

 The plot thickens, I have a printout from when I first tried this last year, with all the details there. Now, it comes back as details not found. I'm wondering if when I applied for a v5 with just the reg, they removed it from the database? I don't know if that would be something they would do? I think I need to re read the letter they sent back to me.

 

 

Either that...or maybe it just reached the designated number of years inactivity that triggers the DVLA to automatically take a vehicles details off the 'live database' and move it onto the 'inactive database'...until someone requests a V5 to be issued (with the correct VIN/Chassis number).

Edited by mab01uk, 21 May 2026 - 03:51 PM.