sell number plates - A guide to selling private number plates

So you think you have a plate worth selling? we'll talk about number plate valuation shortly - first thing's first - is this reg plate yours to sell in the first place?

The number plate is on a car
You must be named as the registered keeper on the V5C registration document - this means you own the car - and thus own the plate

The number plate is on retention
You must be named as the grantee or purchaser on the retention certificate. If you are names as the nominee then you have no entitlement to sell the plate.

Still not sure? drop us an Email (info@smashing-plates.com) or check our our website link:

Can I sell my number plate?

We explore this in more depth in our number plate valuation lens - bur suffice to say there are a handful of key elements which dictate how much your reg plate may be worth:

1. how much you paid for it
2. how much similar plates are selling for
3. the "meaning" of the plate
4. If it requires illegal spacing

As with anything - professionals can help- we offer number plate valuations at the Smashing Plates website.

Pricing your plate is crucial - spend time and do your homework - this could make or break your efforts to sell your personal number plate.

Number plate dealers have the UK number plate market sewn up currently - but this doesn't necessarily make them the best place to advertise your number plate for sale.

Number plate dealers advertise your plate for "free" and build their commission into the asking price for the plate - they do have great advertising and extensive marketing - but you indrectly fund this and get a lower return for the sale of your cherished plate.

Number plate classified are a niche offering specifically designed for buying and selling number plates online.
Not as established as number plate dealers - but what they lack here they make up for with features and value.
number plate classifieds

ebay Gumtree and the like all cater for buying and selling items - but few are designed for the long process of selling number plates. In addition an advert on EBay rarely gets a bid - yet you have to pay again and again to relist - not good.

We recommend hedgind your bets - list with a dealer, with Smashing Plates and elsewhere on the internet - it's wise to use all avenues available to you to get your number plate sold.

see also:

why sell number plates privately

what is a number plate dealer

"advertise your number plate for free" dealer the myth of free advertising

Well depending on the asking price, where you advertise and to whom the plate appeals it does take on average 18-24 months to sell a number plate?

Why so?
Well as number plates are so unique it can take a little while to find the right buyer at the right price. It takes patience and cunning to sell a number plate - no one said this was going to be easy...

what can you do to speed things up?
A little ingenuity goes a long way - think carefully about your price -have you priced yourself out of the market? Could you possible place adverts in more direct locations - think along the lines of advertising a Porsche number plate on the Porsche owners club website.

A little out-of-the-box thinking might save some time here - good luck :-)

See also

Selling number plates - how long can it take?

We cover this in more detail on our website (see below for link) but suffice to say transferring your numberplate to the buyer is straightforward.

Whether the plate is currently on a vehicle or on a retention certificate the process usually takes 10-14 working days depending on the workload at the DVLA.

How to transfer number plates

Transfer number plates from vehicle to vehicle

Transfer number plates from vehicle to retention

Transfer number plates from retention to vehicle