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Buying a personalised registration from a dealer or in a private sale

As well as buying un-issued registration numbers direct from Wilson’s Auctions, you can contact Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) Sale of Marks section for specific registration numbers. You can also buy from a registration number dealer or from a motorist in a private sale.

Buying from a private number dealer

Dealers sell un-issued registration numbers bought from DVA via Wilson’s Auction's personalised registrations, previously issued registration numbers from their own stock, or they act as an agent for motorists who want to sell their registration number.

Whether buying for yourself or as a gift for someone else, you can buy a registration number from a dealer in two ways:

Buy and assign

The dealer arranges the sale and puts the registration number on the vehicle for you. You'll then receive an authorisation letter (V948) to get the number plate made up.

Buy only

The dealer arranges the sale and provides you with a certificate produced by the DVA. You'll need to assign the registration number to the vehicle yourself.

If you buy an un-issued registration number you’ll get a certificate of entitlement (V750) (NI)) showing the dealer as the ‘purchaser’ and your name or someone else’s name (if bought as a gift) as the ‘nominee’.

What you get for your money

You only buy the right to have a particular registration number assigned (put on) to and displayed on a vehicle registered in your name, or in the name of another person. All registration numbers are owned by the Secretary of State.

Details about the certificate of entitlement document:

  • it shows the registration number
  • it needs to be signed by the purchaser named at the top of certificate of entitlement
  • it shows the date the right to assign the registration number will end
  • the right can be extended for a further one, two or three years

The nominee has no right to the registration number until it's assigned to their vehicle. You can add (if you don’t have one) or change a nominee any time or at the same time the registration number is assigned for a fee of £25.

If the dealer is named as the purchaser or nominee, they will normally need to do this for you and may charge for their services.

Find a dealer

Registration number dealers can be found on the internet through most search facilities, or by checking in telephone directory.

Private sale

You can buy from a motorist who wants to sell a personalised registration that is:

  • on their vehicle - the seller will arrange to transfer the registration directly to your vehicle and you’ll need to provide the seller with your registration certificate (V5CNI), tax disc and MOT certificate if the vehicle needs one
  • held on a certificate of entitlement - your name will be added as the ‘nominee’ and you’ll need to assign the personalised registration to the vehicle yourself
  • Renewing or updating a certificate of entitlement

After the personalised registration has been assigned, the rights to transfer the registration number pass to the registered keeper of the vehicle displaying the registration number.

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