Can I sell my original number plate?

[Balf2k]

Finally got round to ordering a personalised plate and I was wondering, can I put the plate that was first registered to my car up for sale to try and reclaim some money back, I know it won't be worth a lot but someone might want the certain lettering / initials etc? Basically, can I legally sell my old plate?

 

[LiCkWiD]

Sure. Shouldn't be an issue. The plate is, after all registered to you and is your property.. or at least the rights to own a vehicle with the details are solely yours.

Google the nuts out of the question while you wait for a more informed reply.

 

[RobM]

It might be possible, but usually the DVLA hold it so it can be put back onto your car when you sell it and want the plate removed.

 

[Balf2k]

I wouldn't ever want to transfer the plates back if I ever sold the Leon because the new plate is only suited to a Leon Cupra R really. I will have to ask DVLA when I phone them to transfer the new plate over. Hopefully I can get a few quid back for the old one.

 

[TllEWL]

Yeah, you either transfer the plate straight to another vehicle or get it placed on a retention certificate
(a pre-paid transfer to another vehicle for a year, renewable for £25 p/year)

either will cost you about £80 and the DVLA will issue a new same-year plate to your Leon

 

[tompotts]

Just changed mine, but the dvla hold the old plate incase you ever take your new one off the car. I dont think theyll let you do it, but you can always ask.

 

[RikH]

it depends if it was the ORIGINAL plate the car came with-that was first registered to it

like mine was a YE** V** style plate, if the first owner put their own private plate on to start with, then didnt remove it when the car was sold and its now registered to you and your car, then you can sell it.

The DVLA would just assign it a new number, this happened with a previous car of mine, the plate that went back on after personalised reg had been removed was different to the original-the original had been asigned to an import i assume.

Ring the DVLA for a firm answer

 

[TllEWL]

I think that's just confusing the matter

Whatever plate is on the vehicle, whether it's the original or a private plate, if the car is taxed and has an MOT (where applicable) you can transfer the number to another vehicle or place it on retention




My dad bought a car with a plate featuring his initials - transfered it onto his new car

I bought my reg from the DVLA - stuck it on the Almera and then transfered it to the Toledo when I wrote the Almera off

Bought an '89 Carlton with a private CAT** plate - taxed it, and now the missus has it on her Micra



You'll have to do it over two seperate transactions though - remove the current plate first, then assign your personalised reg

 

[Balf2k]

Wow, well confusing! The new plate I bought included the £80 transfer fee so once the plates are changed over do I still have to pay a one off or a yearly fee maybe just for the privilige of having a private plate. I couldn't care less about my old / original plate, the DVLA can have it if it's gonna cost me to hold it. Have I got the wrong end of the stick here?

 

[TllEWL]

Maybe


but you're not too far off...

You can stick your new (private) plate onto the Leon now for free now you're all paid up

that's it - no more fees until you have to transfer it onto the next car




but to keep hold of the current number, you'll first have to apply to keep it - £80 if it goes straight onto another car, or £105 to have it on a certificate (like the one you've got for the new number, maybe??)


To further complicate issues - if you sell that certificate to someone, you have to pay the DVLA about £25 to get their name listed on it (so they can use it)

and you can put car plates onto bikes, but not vice-versa (I think)

 

[Balf2k]

I think i'll just leave the old plate for DVLA to do what they want with then. The new plate wasn't too much and I think I would just sell it with the car if I ever got rid of the Leon. But to be honest I plan on keeping it indefinitely (I'm getting her IHI'd in the next three months). Thanks for all your advice though guys.

 

[RikH]

Wow, well confusing! The new plate I bought included the £80 transfer fee so once the plates are changed over do I still have to pay a one off or a yearly fee maybe just for the privilige of having a private plate. I couldn't care less about my old / original plate, the DVLA can have it if it's gonna cost me to hold it. Have I got the wrong end of the stick here?

No you dont
You have bought the same as when i did mine

The original plate will still be assigned to the car, but it wont cost you anything, just keep them in your garage or somewhere for if you sell the car and take your plate off.
Only thing is if/when you do sell the car and take your plate off there is no gaurentee that the original number is still assigned to you, it might have been given to an imported vehicle

any better?

 

[Balf2k]

Makes perfect sense now

 

[Icecavern]

Just to add, the number plate on the car isn't always transferable. If a number plate comes off a car, it's held by the DVLA to put back on that vehicle if you take the plate off. If you don't put the reg on a car onto retention and the DVLA hold it you then can't ever transfer it off to another car.

For example, I put a private plate on my Ibiza. The DVLA held the original reg in case the private plate ever came off. I then took my private plate off and the original one went on the car. BUT now that original reg number can never be assigned to another car. I don't know why but it's in the details sent back from the DVLA stating it.