The Logbook Can Lag Behind Real Life
People move house faster than paperwork follows them. A car can be bought in one place, stored at another, and finally scrapped from a family driveway in Accrington years later. By then, the V5C may still show an old address that no longer matches where the keeper lives or where the car is parked.
Old address details on a V5C do not automatically make the scrap job impossible, but they should make you pause. You want the collection, keeper record and DVLA update to tell the same basic story rather than leaving gaps for someone else to question later.
Separate The Keeper Address From Collection Access
The V5C address and the collection address are not always the same thing. The car may be at a garage, a parent's house, a rented lock-up, or a back street near where it failed. That is normal, but it should be explained clearly when arranging the collection.
For example, a V5C might show an old Blackburn Road address while the vehicle is actually behind a house in Oswaldtwistle. The useful thing is not to hide that mismatch. Give the collector the real location, explain who is authorising the handover, and keep evidence showing why the vehicle was there.
Check Authority Before You Book
An old address is often a sign that other details may also be out of date. Check the keeper name, the registration, the VIN if needed, and whether the person arranging collection has the right authority to do so. If the car belongs to a relative, a business, an estate or a former partner, do not treat the V5C as the only conversation.
This is where calm preparation helps. Gather photo ID if requested, proof of current address if useful, the V5C, keys, service paperwork and any messages showing consent. A legitimate collector may ask questions because they need to avoid taking a vehicle from the wrong person, not because they are trying to make the job difficult.
DVLA Notification Still Matters
GOV.UK guidance says owners should tell DVLA when a vehicle is scrapped, and failing to do so can lead to a fine. If the address on the V5C is old, do not leave notification until later and hope letters somehow find you.
Vehicle tax can also be affected by when DVLA receives information. GOV.UK explains that tax refunds are based on full remaining months from the date DVLA gets the relevant update. That makes it worth dealing with the record cleanly, especially if the car is still taxed or has recently moved between taxed and SORN status.
Build A Clear Paper Trail
After collection, keep more than the receipt. Save the booking conversation, collection address, payment record, DVLA confirmation, any Certificate of Destruction and a note that the V5C address was outdated. If you later correct or update details, keep that confirmation too.
This does not need to become a filing project. It is simply a defence against future confusion. If a reminder, insurance query or family question appears, you can show where the car was, who authorised collection, and what happened after it left. An old address then becomes a solved detail, not a loose end.