Transferring a private plate - selling a car

Minxy · 3 Apr 2009 at 19:13

The time has come for me to say goodbye to my Astra and it currently has a personal plate.

Someone is coming to look at the car on Sunday and my question is, if he wants to take it away, where do I stand when it comes to removing the plate?

Is it easier to sell the car, send off the V5 and have that updated for the new owner and then transfer the plate onto retention....or should I remove the plate first and make the guy wait to take the car away?

I've not had to do this before so I am a little confused.

Cheers guys

johnny6 · 3 Apr 2009 at 19:47

Well with the V5C or even the new owner slip the new owner could if they wanted to submit the forms to the DVLA to become the grantee of the plate giving them the rights to use it.

Personally if I didn't know the person I was selling the vehicle to I'd make them wait and take the plate off first.

Lum · 3 Apr 2009 at 20:34

If you sell the car as is, the new owner becomes the legal owner of the plate and they could then decide to keep it. I'd probably try to put it on retention before they buy the car.

IAmATeaf · 3 Apr 2009 at 20:41

As above put it on retention but you'll have to wait a few weeks to get the revised paperwork through. The retention/new plate for the car can be done at your local DVLA office but they'll keep the V5 to get it updated which is where the wait comes in.

Minxy · 4 Apr 2009 at 19:46

Cheers guys

Well that puts a spanner in the works. Someone wants to see it tomorrow!

Lum · 4 Apr 2009 at 20:01

Get something in writing that he'll put the plate on retention with you as the nominee then.

act smiley · 4 Apr 2009 at 20:25

Minxy said:
Cheers guys

Well that puts a spanner in the works. Someone wants to see it tomorrow!

Just show them it, show them the paperwork and tell them that if they want it, they can stick a deposit on t but they'll have to wait for the new plates & V5. Its hardly rocket science, and if they're genuine they'll put up with it.

[TW]Fox · 4 Apr 2009 at 20:26

act smiley said:
Its hardly rocket science, and if they're genuine they'll put up with it.

No they wont - it can take up to a month and nobody is going to wait a month to take delivery of a used Astra.

act smiley · 4 Apr 2009 at 20:44

Well, if you spring it on them rather than let them know in advance, no, but if they really want it what's a week or two? Took just under a fortnight when I bought my car, perfectly reasonable I'd say.

Minxy · 4 Apr 2009 at 21:17

[TW]Fox;13821161 said:
No they wont - it can take up to a month and nobody is going to wait a month to take delivery of a used Astra.

Not only that but the guy is coming all the way from Staffordshire to see it. The guy knows there is a personal plate on the vehicle and that I want it transferred off.