Where to buy short private registrations

[Nnnnnnnn]

Looking to buy a short private plate which starts with some numbers, the plate is on a few websites but only one person must own this so where does all these different companies manage to sell it from?

I have checked the dvla web site and it’s not for sale there so I was looking to see if there are other places I can check?

Thanks

[Muddle238]

Nnnnnnnn said:

Looking to buy a short private plate which starts with some numbers, the plate is on a few websites but only one person must own this so where does all these different companies manage to sell it from?

I have checked the dvla web site and it’s not for sale there so I was looking to see if there are other places I can check?

Thanks

Phone whichever website is cheapest and go from there. It may be a stock plate that the dealer has on a certificate or may be selling on behalf of a customer.

[RSTurboPaul]

I've seen this with a couple I am keeping an eye one.

I suspect one site is acting on behalf of the plate owner and the (cheaper) others are fishing, on the basis of securing at least a deposit (or even the full amount) then attempting to negotiate with the aforementioned site/client.

I guess one needs to ask 'are you acting on behalf of the plate owner' or 'is the owner your client' or 'is the number plate held by your company' or similar - not sure they would answer directly but then anything other than a straight 'yes' could probably be interpreted as a 'no'. lol


EDIT: Oh, and re: the VAT thing, I think a company-owner plate is liable for VAT, whereas only the transfer fee is liable for VAT if they are acting on behalf of a private client. It is somewhat confusing, though, as some sites I have seen adding seemingly random amounts for VAT!

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Sunday 10th November 16:57

[Caddyshack]

Phone one of the dealers and put in a low ball offer, they pass the offer on.

[LooneyTunes]

There’s sometimes a bit of fishing goes on, but plate owners often list on several sites.

Worth being aware that just because it’s listed doesn’t necessarily mean it’s still available. Plates sell and the vendors don’t always update everyone they list with.

[Wish]

What are the numbers ? ND ?

[akirk]

I have several similar plates on cars - some bought from the DVLA - i.e. never been on the open market...
yet they still appear on websites...

If you go onto some websites and ask for a valuation on your plate, they say that they will then market it - so you may have no contract with them and they will still market it...

i.e. don't believe any of them!

work out the price you are happy with
do your research on the companies and contact one you like the look of

it doesn't matter if they own it or not - they can negotiate with whoever has it for you - if you stick with your maximum you will pay the same whoever you go to - it may mean that that profit behind the scenes goes to one company or two - doesn't really matter to you

[Spare tyre]

Also don’t forget that number plates can be listed for sale, but have sold years ago and now not for sale

[Nnnnnnnn]

Thanks for replies. The plate is 86 MEL I have reached out to several companies with various replies some will not even get into conversation on how much I am willing to pay (Regplates)

I also did a check and the plate doesn’t seem to be on anything just now

Registration companies are just glorified car sales guys not one can be trusted.

[LARK F1 GTR]

Nnnnnnnn said:

Thanks for replies. The plate is 86 MEL I have reached out to several companies with various replies some will not even get into conversation on how much I am willing to pay (Regplates)

I also did a check and the plate doesn’t seem to be on anything just now

Registration companies are just glorified car sales guys not one can be trusted.

I'm not sure how much you've seen it for, but it was a DVLA auction plate and it sold for £5130.00 (plus the bits) in April 2022.

It's a shame you can't find out which (if any of them) actually have it. It's also more of a shame you didn't know about it 2.5 years ago as you could have bought it from the auction.