Buying a plate on retention (V778)

[grumbas]

I'm buying a plate that's currently on retention.

My initial plan wasn't to assign it for now, but keep it on retention for the time being.

However, and I can't find a straight answer to this online, it would appear if I don't assign it immediately there is nothing stopping the seller assigning it to one of their vehicles in future if they've kept a copy of the document? It looks like to use the online DVLA service you just need the reference number from the V778?

Whilst I don't predict an issue I might put it on a vehicle temporarily just to mitigate the risk. Especially as the auction house also has a copy of the document, which is possibly a greater risk depending on how they restrict access?

Can anyone shed any light on whether I've understood this correctly?

[Scrump]

Your understanding is correct.
When I buy a plate on retention and want to keep it on retention I always assign to one of my vehicles then take it off again. Costs an extra £80 but it removes any risk of the seller assigning it to another vehicle.

[bullitinhead]

Sage advice, depends on the cost of course and if you can afford to lose it should some thing nefarious happen.
The only time I've left one on the original 778 was one I bought direct from a DVLA auction, but I was the named owner on that one, so no real risk, it sat in a drawer for about 4 years.

Bullit

[grumbas]

Thanks for the feedback, sounds like I need to assign it.

[MOBB]

I assigned mine when I bought it for exactly the reasons above

[Catnip64]

Doesn't the reference number change when the certificate is re-issued in the new owners name? If not, this seems to be a fundamental error with the process.....

[grumbas]

Catnip64 said:

Doesn't the reference number change when the certificate is re-issued in the new owners name? If not, this seems to be a fundamental error with the process.....

From what I could find, there is no way to change the Grantee on the V778, which yes seems a bit of an oversight in the process.