Vehicle Reference Number Urgent Please

[horseshoes]

Im in the process of selling my car and the form Im filling in is asking for a 12 number reference but the number is only 11. I can't see another number.

[Rockrose]

What is the form?

[horseshoes]

The new keeper is trying to get tax and the form is V5c (w)

[Rockrose]

You can tax your vehicle online if you have:

the 11 digit reference number from your V5C (if you’re the current keeper)
the 12 digit reference number from the new keeper slip if you’ve just bought the car (and do not have a V5C in your name yet)

[Rockrose]

It appears that 11 is right as you are the seller

[horseshoes]

We're doing it online. But the prospective new keeper has to enter the 12 digit refernce number but the number onnthe form only has 11 digits and so won't accept it,

[ToraToraTora]

to tax it they need the reference number from the V5C/2 - it should be 12 digits but if it's an old one it could be less, if so they'll have to tax it at a post office with the green slip. Or, slightly iffy, the could take it home wait for the V5 to come through in their name and tax it with that.

[Rockrose]

the 12 digit reference number from the new keeper slip if you’ve just bought the car

[ToraToraTora]

is the car taxed currently?
if so they can take it home, park it off road and then you can transfer it to them on line the next day. They'll get a new V5 in a few days and they can tax it with that. Not double kosher but unlikely to get them in trouble. Otherwise it's all the admin hoops I'm afraid.

[Buenchico]

I'm confused!

VINs (Vehicle Identification Numbers) are 17 digits long and the application form to obtain a V5c (which is a V62 form) unsurprisingly has 17 spaces for the VIN:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/781426/v62-application-for-a-registration-certificate.pdf

So I can't work out why the purchaser requires 12 digits or why you can only find 11!

However a few manufacturers continued using shorter VINs after the system was meant to have been standardised in 1981. In particular Honda was using 11-digit VINs up until 1995. So if you're certain that you're looking at the right number then, irrespective of how many digits its got, that's what should be filled in on the form.

[ToraToraTora]

Yes RR but i think the OP is the seller and the V5 is an old one and they did have 11 digit ref nos on the V5C/2 (green slip)

[ToraToraTora]

chico, they are looking for the doc ref no on the V5C/2 - now 12, formerly 11 digits.

[Buenchico]

Aha!

I see from some of the posts above that you might be looking at a form, rather than at the vehicle itself. However my advice holds true: If you're sure that you're looking at the right number that must be what needs to be entered onto the new form (even if that means leaving one box blank).

[Mamyalynne]

Yes, a lot will have only 11 digit Doc numbers - one here (just under the postcode box)

https://images.hotukdeals.com/comments/content/1GdOo/28512548.jpg

[horseshoes]

Your Answer...ah I think we've solved it. The reference number is 11 digits on the main page, but on the new keepers bit, its the same number but prefixed with a 4. I got very puzzled and its taken AGES.
Thank you all very much.

[ToraToraTora]

yes it's the green slip they want the V5C/2