How do I find my car's gross vehicle weight?

Your car's gross vehicle weight (GVW), also called maximum authorised mass (MAM), is officially recorded and can be found in a few places without needing to weigh the car yourself.

Where to find it:

• V5C logbook — listed under the technical section, sometimes shown as "MAM" or "revenue weight" for tax purposes
• VIN plate or door sill sticker — most manufacturers stamp a compliance plate somewhere in the engine bay or driver's door frame, showing GVW alongside other weight limits (like maximum axle weights)
• Owner's manual or manufacturer's official spec sheet — gives the figure alongside kerb weight and payload for cross-checking

A quick note:

GVW is a fixed figure set by the manufacturer for that specific model and variant — it doesn't change based on how you use the car, but it's worth double-checking you're looking at the right trim or version, since GVW can vary between different engine or body configurations of the same model. This figure becomes particularly important if you're towing, carrying heavy cargo regularly, or checking whether a van or pickup falls under a specific licence category.