When you’re trying to sell a vehicle of any kind, it’s always helpful to have all of the relevant documentation to hand. Service history and receipts for work completed are important, but perhaps the most sought after paperwork of all is the logbook, otherwise known as the car’s logbook. What happens if you don’t have it? How do you sell your vehicle if you can’t locate this logbook and prove that you are indeed its keeper? Let us explain…

Or, if you’re ready to scrap your car, get a quote with Car Buyers Online right now by calling us or entering your details into our online form. We’ll find the best price for your car, offered by professional car buyers in your local area and we can even arrange for your vehicle to be collected and removed for free. Whether you have your logbook or not, we’ll help you sell your old car as scrap or salvage.

Selling A Car Without A Logbook

The process of selling your car without its logbook isn’t drastically different from selling one that has the document, but it could take longer to complete. It might also be harder to find a buyer that’s willing to do business with you privately as they could have concerns that you don’t have the right to sell the car. In other words, for all they know, the car could be stolen. There’s then the matter of informing the DoT that there’s been a change of ownership for the motor. Doing so with the logbook is a piece of cake. Without, it’s more of a hassle.

Can I Scrap My Car Without A Logbook?

If you’re not interested in selling your car privately for it to be reused, like if it’s seen better days or has been completely written off in an accident, your first thought might instead be about scrapping it. The good news is you can scrap your vehicle without the logbook, and Car Buyers Online is happy to oblige.

When you scrap your car, you are still selling it to the trader who will go on to scrap it. So, the same rules from above apply here too. Yes, you can scrap your car and we’ll make it as simple as possible to do so. We may need a few more bits of information from you, but our sales team or our vehicle collectors will help you out along the way.

Logbook Loans

A logbook loan can be a way of getting an influx of cash into your bank account, like a traditional financial loan, but with your car put forward as collateral. This means that if you cannot pay back what you borrowed, your car will be taken to cover the sum of money. While in a logbook loan, you can still use the car – most people will still need it for work so that they can afford their repayments. During this kind of loan, the logbook must physically be sent off to the issuer of the loan.

You can’t sell or scrap your vehicle while a logbook loan is in place unless you are going to complete your repayments before the transaction takes place. Once you’re all square again, your logbook will be returned to you and the car will be yours to scrap as you please.

What If I Don’t Have A Logbook?

If you’re set on selling your car but don’t have the logbook, the simplest solution is to order a new one through the DoT. They can take up to six weeks to arrive and you’ll be charged a little amount for the replacement, so if this is the route you’d like to go down, it’s best to decide as soon as possible so that you can get your car on the market, logbook included.

On the other hand, if you’re happy to press on without the vehicle’s logbook, you’ll have to complete a few more steps after the sale is complete. Just remember that you should make any prospective buyers aware that you don’t have the logbook as soon as possible so that nobody has their time wasted.

Once you’ve found a buyer and handed over the keys, it’s time to inform the DoT that the vehicle has changed ownership. To do this, send a letter to their Swansea address containing the following information: 

  • Your name
  • Your address
  • Vehicle registration
  • Make & model
  • Exact date of sale
  • Buyer’s name
  • Buyer’s address

If you’ve decided that this logbook business is too much hassle and instead want a quick, easy and profitable sale, Car Buyers Online can have your car sold in just a few days, with the money in your bank the same day that the vehicle is collected. Our collection service is totally free no matter where you are, meaning the price you’re offered is exactly what you’ll be paid. Getting a quote is simple: just call or enter your vehicle details into our online contact form on our website.

If you are in Port Melbourne, Victoria 3207, and looking for a car buyer service in Melbourne, below is the best way to visit us.

Car Buyers Online Melbourne

13 Dalgety St

St Kilda VIC 3182

(03) 4050 4974

www.buyersonline.com.au