selling a car but retaining the number plate

[mjb1]

I have a car I want to put up for sale this weekend. But I also want to transfer the plate off it (put on retention). I could go to my local DVLA office tomorrow and do it in person, but I believe I will still have to wait for the new V5 to come from Swansea, and that normally takes 1 to 3 weeks. I can't really sell it without a v5 can I (I know I wouldn't buy a car without seeing one)?

As an alternative, could I sell it and submit the V317 to transfer the plate off at the same time as I send off the V5 with the new keepers details? Thinking about it, the V317 needs to go to the local dvla office with the v5, but to do the change of keeper the v5 needs to go to Swansea.

Any other ideas before I head out to the local DVLA office in the morning?

[Baryonyx]

Yes, sort out the plate before you sell the car. I'm currently in the process of doing this with my Impreza. What a faff.

[mjb1]

That's what I thought, unless anyone knows a quicker/easier way?

Oh, and just to make it even more messy - the tax runs out today! Not sure if it matters which I do first - re tax or start reg transfer?

Edited by mjb1 on Friday 31st August 08:44

[Beeby]

Tax it first at the post office then you'll get the disc straight away. You can then start the process of sorting the plate. They will then send you a new disc with the new reg on. Easy.

[jay140285]

I have recently done this,

Brought a car and did reg transfer and V5 change of owner at the same time.

Was easy, all that happened is both V5's came back to myself and I then forwarded it onto the new owner with the new tax disc.

[theironduke]

Get it done before you sell. It's only one form and a cheque. I took my plate of my old 928 after I sold it but luckily the buyer was very helpful and sorted the form for me at his local DVLA office.

Oh and its 25 quid a year to keep it on retention IIRC.

[kentmotorcompany]

If you get it taxed, technically there is nothing to stop you selling it while you waiting for the V5 to comeback.

Without the V5 the new owner won't be able to tax it, so you should take care of this for them.

However a lot of buyer will be put off by not being able to a see a V5. If you have something from the DVLA local office to prove where it is it will help a lot.


Bear in mind also that when the new owner buys the car, they don't receive the V5 anyway even if it present just the green slip which is only used for taxing. With a decent bit of sales skill its not a problem.

You will of course have to fill out the new V5 with the new owners details when it comes back.

[mjb1]

Well I went and taxed it at the post office (after I spent an hour looking for the renewal reminder, that I had in my had earlier today). I drove 40 miles to my 'local' DVLA office only to find a note on the door saying that the useless bds have gone on strike for the day, so a totally wasted journey/half a day and I can't get any further until next week.

I thought of another way of doing it though (possibly risky, I don't know) - What if I sell the vehicle first(making it clear that the plate isn't included as part of the sale), then get the seller to complete/sign the retention form (V317), nominating me as the grantee. He can send that off with the v5c/2(I will march him to the post box, or take the forms to the DVLA office in person. I will pay the fee obviously.

That way I wouldn't have to wait until the new v5 comes back before I try and sell the vehicle. Is there any risk in doing it this way, could it go horribly wrong??

[jay140285]

I have done that, as long as the buyer seems trust worthy.

[Changedmyname]

I still have the old reg plate for my car,is it possible to put them back on the car?