Buying a car that still has private plate on/ taxing car

[funbobby]

I know the seller can be put the plate on retention straight away online but as the buyer what do i need to do regarding the V5 and taxing it? Some years ago i had the same situation and there was a delay on being able to tax it which meant i had to wait a bit longer to pick up the car.

[The Rotrex Kid]

Short version. You shouldn’t buy it until they have the new V5 so you can tax it.

Long version. If you’re happy to take it, do so, when they have the V5, they can send it off for the name change and you can re tax it using the green slip.

[iacabu]

I went to see my current car while it was still on a private plate, had to return to pick it up a day or two later as the online tool for removing the number plate stopped at a certain time.

Was a bit of a pain insuring and taxing it, as the database still had it on a private plate but managed just fine. New V5 was received by the seller within a few days and all sorted within a week.

Ideally you'd want the seller to have new V5 in hand on the original registration plate.

[ncjones]

Just wait, if taking the plate off is done online the new V5 arrives the next day, or at least has done the 4 times I've done it over the last few years. Even adding a bit for Covid / post delays it's going to only be a few days.

[funbobby]

Ok I’ll just wait then if the v5 shows up that quick, I presume I’ll get sent the new mot along with the v5 in due course ?

[Fuyursuki]

funbobby said:

Ok I’ll just wait then if the v5 shows up that quick, I presume I’ll get sent the new mot along with the v5 in due course ?

I bought one with a private plate last month - it actually took about a month for the V5 to turn up (alongside a new licence so I think the DVLA are on a go slow). Taxing it was sorted there and then at the dealer.

I was going to apply to the DVLA to take the plate off, I think you can then go to halfords or something to get some new plates made? I'm a little conscious of the switchover period, I wasn't sure if you had X days to get the new plate installed..