For Ref: Phoned the DVLA this morning on the number below, chose 'Other Enquiries' option and got straight through with no queue to a real person, my updated red V5c should arrive within 3 weeks (vehicle off-road pre-SORN so no automatic DVLA update occured).
"DVLA has now completed automatic roll out of the red vehicle registration certificate (V5C). It is now encouraging the keepers of any vehicles who still have an old style blue V5C to replace it with new a red V5C free of charge. This can be done by sending the original blue V5C with a covering letter to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA. Or by telephoning 0300 790 6802, you will need to have the registration number, make and model of the vehicle and the document reference number of the blue V5C (this is the 11 digit number on the front of the V5C). You must be the registered keeper and there must be no changes needed to the V5C."
DVLA completed the automatic roll out in 2012. The new style red document was automatically issued when:
a vehicle was registered for the first time
an application was made for changes to an existing registration, such as a change of keeper or address
a vehicle was taxed or declared off the road
The new certificate was introduced following the theft of a number of defective blank certificates in 2006 after they had been rejected by DVLA and returned to the supplier. The aim was to reduce the risks to motorists of buying a stolen or cloned vehicle.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dvla ... ertificate