When Does DVLA Revoke a Number Plate?

[WEHGuy]

Hi Folks,

I have found a number plate I would like that is on a 1995 Merc that hasn't had a MOT since 2012 so any idea when that will go back to DVLA to be resold? Is it a case that unless that car is scrapped, it will never be available?

[Jordie Barretts sock]

DVLA never reissue plates.

[Hol]

There should be a sticky for this.


DVLA don’t reissue old plates and they only transfer them IF the car has a valid MOT, the current registered keeper has signed the paperwork AND the plate doesn’t have a non transfer marker on it (various reasons on DLA site for that last caveat).

If the car is old enough to be MOT exempt, you have to apply for that exemption.

[InitialDave]

Do you mean you've found a car with a plate on it (as in, you have seen it and know where it is), or that you've checked on the online vehicle information for a number plate, and it says it theoretically exists on a car somewhere?

[Niglebick]

5years
It needs to have been on continuous SORN for up to 5 years. Thereafter you will need to Mot/ tax it.
If it’s old enough to be tax exempt, you will still need to mot it - their ‘proof’ that it still exists in some sort of condition.

[WEHGuy]

InitialDave said:

Do you mean you've found a car with a plate on it (as in, you have seen it and know where it is), or that you've checked on the online vehicle information for a number plate, and it says it theoretically exists on a car somewhere?

I have found it on the online MOT history checker. I have no clue where the car is. I just know its last MOT was 2012 and it was on a 1995 Merc.

[Baldchap]

What's the plate out of interest?

[WEHGuy]

Baldchap said:

What's the plate out of interest?

M5 + my initials

[InitialDave]

WEHGuy said:

I have found it on the online MOT history checker. I have no clue where the car is. I just know its last MOT was 2012 and it was on a 1995 Merc.

Sorry, I think your chances of obtaining that plate are near zero.

[WPA]

Hol said:

There should be a sticky for this.


DVLA don’t reissue old plates and they only transfer them IF the car has a valid MOT, the current registered keeper has signed the paperwork AND the plate doesn’t have a non transfer marker on it (various reasons on DLA site for that last caveat).

If the car is old enough to be MOT exempt, you have to apply for that exemption.

Is this 100% correct, watching Oscars garage last night on the cars that were featured in Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Barry's van was scrapped years ago, however someone was able to buy the registration plate at auction, which has transferred onto a replica of the van.

I have seen this a few times now so it does look like old registrations do not always die and never be reissued.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

WPA said:

Hol said:

There should be a sticky for this.


DVLA don’t reissue old plates and they only transfer them IF the car has a valid MOT, the current registered keeper has signed the paperwork AND the plate doesn’t have a non transfer marker on it (various reasons on DLA site for that last caveat).

If the car is old enough to be MOT exempt, you have to apply for that exemption.

Is this 100% correct, watching Oscars garage last night on the cars that were featured in Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Barry's van was scrapped years ago, however someone was able to buy the registration plate at auction, which has transferred onto a replica of the van.

I have seen this a few times now so it does look like old registrations do not always die and never be reissued.

Or did Barry's van originally have an unissued plate for the show, and it has subsequently been requested for issue and auctioned?

[anonymous-user]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

Or did Barry's van originally have an unissued plate for the show, and it has subsequently been requested for issue and auctioned?

Or could have been put on retention when the original van was scrapped?

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Also valid.

[WPA]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

WPA said:

Hol said:

There should be a sticky for this.


DVLA don’t reissue old plates and they only transfer them IF the car has a valid MOT, the current registered keeper has signed the paperwork AND the plate doesn’t have a non transfer marker on it (various reasons on DLA site for that last caveat).

If the car is old enough to be MOT exempt, you have to apply for that exemption.

Is this 100% correct, watching Oscars garage last night on the cars that were featured in Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Barry's van was scrapped years ago, however someone was able to buy the registration plate at auction, which has transferred onto a replica of the van.

I have seen this a few times now so it does look like old registrations do not always die and never be reissued.

Or did Barry's van originally have an unissued plate for the show, and it has subsequently been requested for issue and auctioned?

My mistake sorry, just watched again it was on false plates for the show so was never issued, DVLA issued it late which someone purchased to make a replica of the van, so it was never issued.