How do I find out if a numberplate has been issued?

How do I find out if a numberplate has been issued?

Author
Discussion

m1spw

Original Poster:

5,999 posts

232 months

Wednesday 5th April 2006
quotequote all
There is a numberplate combination that would spell out my initials perfectly (difficult seeing as I have 4 ) but I don't know if its ever been issued. Is there an easy way to find this out, and if they havn't been released can I request the DVLA to auction it/sell it to me?

>> Edited by m1spw on Wednesday 5th April 21:25

BliarOut

72,857 posts

246 months

Wednesday 5th April 2006
quotequote all

m1spw

Original Poster:

5,999 posts

232 months

Wednesday 5th April 2006
quotequote all
BliarOut said:
www.dvla-som.co.uk/home/

It would be an old style one, with 3 letters, then one number, then another letter and you can't search for them on the DVLA site

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,586 posts

242 months

Wednesday 5th April 2006
quotequote all
m1spw said:
BliarOut said:
www.dvla-som.co.uk/home/

It would be an old style one, with 3 letters, then one number, then another letter and you can't search for them on the DVLA site


E-mail 360boy, he's in the biz.

vipers

33,117 posts

235 months

Wednesday 5th April 2006
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Seeing as a bloke in Aberdeenshire paid 5K for a personalised number plate, which the DVLC then said they had previously issued, dont think there is a 100% way of finding out if one has been issued.

Take care. Probably a one off case, but initially they said he couldnt have his 5K back either....

Li'l pugs

1,323 posts

266 months

Thursday 6th April 2006
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On the DVLA site there is a facility to email them and ask them. If you express an interest and it hasn't been released they may release it to an auction where you can then bid.

360boy

1,828 posts

229 months

Thursday 6th April 2006
quotequote all
m1spw said:
There is a numberplate combination that would spell out my initials perfectly (difficult seeing as I have 4 ) but I don't know if its ever been issued. Is there an easy way to find this out, and if they havn't been released can I request the DVLA to auction it/sell it to me?

>> Edited by m1spw on Wednesday 5th April 21:25


If you contact me, I can check if it has ever been issued.
DVLA will not auction off any number that has previously been issued. Even if the vehicle is scrapped.
Contact me via my profile if I can be of any help.
Thanks.

headcase

2,389 posts

224 months

Thursday 6th April 2006
quotequote all
Try Here www.rac.co.uk/web/carbuying/vehicle_data_search/
Key the plate in and see if it is on a car, not 100% but it will give you a good idea!

MitchT

16,229 posts

216 months

Sunday 14th May 2023
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Holy thread resurrection Batman!

Same question as the OP, in case anything has changed.

I've had an idea for a plate - standard format - two letters, two numbers, three letters.

DVLA site says not available. Vehicle check sites can't find a car with it on. So, either it hasn't been made available to buy yet or someone has bought it and put it on retention. Any way of finding out?

I want a plate that starts "MT", followed by two specific numbers and three specific letters. "MO" and "MS" are available with the numbers and letters I want, so could it just be that they haven't got as far as issuing "MT" yet?

CanAm

10,054 posts

279 months

Sunday 14th May 2023
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MitchT said:
Holy thread resurrection Batman!

Same question as the OP, in case anything has changed.

I've had an idea for a plate - standard format - two letters, two numbers, three letters.

DVLA site says not available. Vehicle check sites can't find a car with it on. So, either it hasn't been made available to buy yet or someone has bought it and put it on retention. Any way of finding out?

I want a plate that starts "MT", followed by two specific numbers and three specific letters. "MO" and "MS" are available with the numbers and letters I want, so could it just be that they haven't got as far as issuing "MT" yet?
“MT” numbers are available.

MitchT

16,229 posts

216 months

Sunday 14th May 2023
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CanAm said:
“MT” numbers are available.
I was meaning more "MT" with the specific numbers and letters following. Anyway, I could just do with knowing if the plate has been bought by someone so I don't have to keep checking. It seems you can only find out if it's actually on a car, unless there's a way of checking that I'm not aware of.

CanAm

10,054 posts

279 months

Sunday 14th May 2023
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Why don't you try different letters at the end? If you wanted ABC and XYZ is available for sale, then it looks like your choice has been taken.
Unless the plate is one of the type that the DVLA save for their online auctions.

MitchT

16,229 posts

216 months

Sunday 14th May 2023
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CanAm said:
Unless the plate is one of the type that the DVLA save for their online auctions.
Not sure why they'd do that for "MT" when "MO" and MS" with the same following digits aren't being saved for an auction.

CanAm

10,054 posts

279 months

Monday 15th May 2023
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MitchT said:
CanAm said:
Unless the plate is one of the type that the DVLA save for their online auctions.
Not sure why they'd do that for "MT" when "MO" and MS" with the same following digits aren't being saved for an auction.
Then I’d guess that the one you want has been bought, but not yet allocated to a vehicle.

MitchT

16,229 posts

216 months

Monday 15th May 2023
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CanAm said:
Then I’d guess that the one you want has been bought, but not yet allocated to a vehicle.
Quite possibly. Shame there doesn't appear to be a way to confirm that it's been bought if it's not actually on a vehicle.

MitchT

16,229 posts

216 months

Monday 11th September 2023
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Update!

Found a contact form on the DVLA reg website. Used it to enquire about the plate. Turns out is hasn't been issued but will be within four weeks if I want it. I just have to confirm that I'm interested and they'll get it released for me to buy!