Transferring a Private Plate Onto a New Car

[johnboy_78]

Hi

I am due to be picking up a new (used) car from an Audi main dealer next week and will be trading in my current BMW 330i as part payment for the new car.

The BMW has a private plate on it and I want to transfer this onto the new car. I have transferred plates before, but usually take it off my current car, put it on a retention certificate and then transfer it onto my new car when I take ownership of it. But I haven't ever been traded in a car with a private plate and would welcome some advice on the process.

The dealer has asked me to send them by post (recorded delivery): a photocopy of my current tax disc; the original of the current valid MOT certificate for the BMW; and the original V5 document for the BMW. The dealer did explain that the transfer would not be complete by the time I collect the new car next week, but that the paperwork and new tax disc for the new car would follow in around 3-4 weeks.

I have no reason to doubt that this is standard practice in these circumstances, but I am slightly nervous that I am giving away the ownership documents for my current car.

Has anyone been in the same position, and if so, is this standard practice?

Many thanks.

John

[Magic919]

Surely you're going to hand that stuff over as part of the trade in? I've done the same with no problems.

[wildcat45]

Yes, the dealer usually sorts stuff like this out with minimum hassle. Done it probably 6 times with no probs. I've even been cheeky when doing the deal right at the end and asked them to pay the 80 quid transfer. Volvo used to say yes....others not so accomodating.

[wildcat45]

Yes, the dealer usually sorts stuff like this out with minimum hassle. Done it probably 6 times with no probs. I've even been cheeky when doing the deal right at the end and asked them to pay the 80 quid transfer. Volvo used to say yes....others not so accomodating.

[Davel]

Doing exactly the same at the moment.

Don't expect any problems with the dealer.

[D44nny]

Hi I did this last month I was told to put the plate on retention which I did on the we'd wen I was picking the new car up on the Friday also filled in the log book to go back to the dealer and they sent me my retention cert through the post in 2 weeks. Cost 105 to do but no probs. I went to the dvl a local office in brum tho, not sure if it's as easy by post.

[johnboy_78]

Thanks everyone.

The only difference with my situation is that I am not going to be at the dealer until at least next Wednesday (it's in West Mids - I am in Edinburgh) and the dealer wants the paperwork posted to him tomorrow, "to get things
moving."

Does this still sound ok?

[Dave Hedgehog]

Yep, get the dealer to do it as part of the deal, agree a deal and then at the end ask them to do the transfer

they normally do,

VW did on my OHs polo last month

[johnboy_78]

We've agreed on a price/trade in value (subject to everything being as described) and I am due to collect the car/pay the difference next Wednesday. However I think that the dealer is keen to get the plate transferred off my current car ASAP to allow them to pass the car on to auction and bank the money.

I could just wait until next week when I go down and sort the paperwork then (I personally don't mind waiting 4+ weeks for the plate transfer), but the dealer wants to start things this week - hence the request to post the various documents to the dealer.

[Magic919]

It's in your interests to get the plate off sooner. Selling on the car carrying your reg carries an element of risk.