BRITISH Car Auctions has launched a new tracking database designed to highlight which cars are sold at its centres with or without a V5 document.

The new database has been in development over recent months and forms part of BCA's strategy to prepare for major changes to vehicle licensing rules. From February, car owners will need a V5 document in order to obtain a tax disc.

BCA's director, customer affairs, Tom Madden said: 'The simple fact is that in an ideal world every vehicle we sell would be complete with all the appropriate documents – including the V5 – because this maximises buyer confidence and generates the best return for the seller. If the V5 is not present, then we will describe the vehicle as such and let the market decide what the vehicle is worth. We will not, however, continue the practice of selling vehicles with 'documents to follow' – where the vendor sends the V5 and any other documents on after the sale.'

Vehicles offered with all the necessary documentation are likely to sell at a premium and BCA will highlight this fact within pre-sale marketing.

Madden added: 'In cases where the V5 is not available and there is insufficient time to replace it, sellers should consider selling vehicles with a few weeks road fund licence in place – which would remove the thorny problem of needing the V5 in the short term.

'This will increase the vehicle's attractiveness to buyers at selling time, who will have time to apply for and receive the replacement V5 document.'

BCA has created a special website to help customers with any queries at www.bca-europe.com/uk/v5 as well as issuing a five-point V5 compliancy plan for customers (see below).

BCA V5 action points

Carry out a full and urgent review of all V5 document management processes. Measure in particular whether you have robust, foolproof systems in place to recover and deliver all V5 documents to vehicle point of sale, including your document transmission methods and how to guarantee delivery.

Implement secure, timely V5 delivery in advance of vehicle sale to allow optimum pre-sale marketing.

Fleet operators should implement a sweep of V5 availability for all vehicles in their fleets at 90 days prior to their planned defleet date.

Consider establishing an internal re-application process to the DVLA in order to fast-track replacement V5 applications.

Motor dealers should implement processes to make V5 recovery mandatory on all part exchange vehicles.