Ripped off buying a private plate - how to proceed ?
Discussion
Looking for advice please
16 oct 2025 I purchased a £200 private VRN from a small online private plate company.
They asked for a photo of my v5c which i emailed over immediately. Right after they said I had to mail it in as DVLA would not accept the photo.
By 21st Oct 2025 I had posted it to them with special delivery.
Since then it took me weeks to get updates from them, every time I called I was told someone would call me back. No one ever did and I had to keep chasing them. Eventually around the start of December, they supposedly sent a new v5c out to me. It never came after 2 weeks. Called them, they said they will re issue it.
2 weeks later around start of new year, nothing came again.
Now the owner got involved, Asked me via email to supply a new address and name as he thinks royal mail is simply not delivering my mail.
I supplied my partners name and address. 14th Jan DVLA website says new log book issued. Nothing comes after 2 weeks. Call back and he starts telling me the DVLA has a "special interest" in my car and I have to call them and it will take a 4 week wait minimum. No other information. This is clearly very vague.
Decide to call DVLA myself, first two times i cant get "verified" as they say my address does not match. I quickly clock on and try give DVLA my purchased VRN and this companies address. Suddenly I am verified. Now they confirm to me this company issued my v5c to THEIR address on MY name. Not sure if this was a mistake or deliberate to control the documents I still do not know. Im assuming this happened the past 3 times and they just refused to send it back to me or just lost it.
Regardless its appalling. Now the owner is completely ignoring me as is the company. DVLA have told me I have to file for a v62 and wait upto 4 weeks for a new logbook. All at my own cost ofcourse.
I am submitting to MCOL. Is there anything else i can do ? other than file for a chargeback ?
Worst part is i just want to sell my car but cant as there is no logbook !
Thanks for any advice!
16 oct 2025 I purchased a £200 private VRN from a small online private plate company.
They asked for a photo of my v5c which i emailed over immediately. Right after they said I had to mail it in as DVLA would not accept the photo.
By 21st Oct 2025 I had posted it to them with special delivery.
Since then it took me weeks to get updates from them, every time I called I was told someone would call me back. No one ever did and I had to keep chasing them. Eventually around the start of December, they supposedly sent a new v5c out to me. It never came after 2 weeks. Called them, they said they will re issue it.
2 weeks later around start of new year, nothing came again.
Now the owner got involved, Asked me via email to supply a new address and name as he thinks royal mail is simply not delivering my mail.
I supplied my partners name and address. 14th Jan DVLA website says new log book issued. Nothing comes after 2 weeks. Call back and he starts telling me the DVLA has a "special interest" in my car and I have to call them and it will take a 4 week wait minimum. No other information. This is clearly very vague.
Decide to call DVLA myself, first two times i cant get "verified" as they say my address does not match. I quickly clock on and try give DVLA my purchased VRN and this companies address. Suddenly I am verified. Now they confirm to me this company issued my v5c to THEIR address on MY name. Not sure if this was a mistake or deliberate to control the documents I still do not know. Im assuming this happened the past 3 times and they just refused to send it back to me or just lost it.
Regardless its appalling. Now the owner is completely ignoring me as is the company. DVLA have told me I have to file for a v62 and wait upto 4 weeks for a new logbook. All at my own cost ofcourse.
I am submitting to MCOL. Is there anything else i can do ? other than file for a chargeback ?
Worst part is i just want to sell my car but cant as there is no logbook !
Thanks for any advice!
Edited by du66rden on Tuesday 3rd February 15:55
Edited by du66rden on Tuesday 3rd February 16:09
Moderator edit: no naming & shaming
Why did the company you were buying the plate from want your current V5, as when I've bought a plate before it was issued on a certificate, I then switched it onto my car?
There is no need for it to go straight onto the car.
Did you pay via credit card or presumably a bank transfer if you are looking at a cashback?
There is no need for it to go straight onto the car.
Did you pay via credit card or presumably a bank transfer if you are looking at a cashback?
I don't recall having to send a V5C when we bought a private plate, we just got a V750 certificate of entitlement, and transferred the plate when we wanted to.
All sounds very odd. Why did they want your V5C?
To your question, you will have to play by DVLAs rules to get your car re-registered back to your name and address, and deal with the seller separately. Not much else you can do.
But yes, edit your post to remove company and individuals name if you want the thread to survive.
All sounds very odd. Why did they want your V5C?
To your question, you will have to play by DVLAs rules to get your car re-registered back to your name and address, and deal with the seller separately. Not much else you can do.
But yes, edit your post to remove company and individuals name if you want the thread to survive.
Edited by Robertb on Tuesday 3rd February 16:02
Robertb said:
I don't recall having to send a V5C when we bought a private plate, we just got a V750 certificate of entitlement, and transferred the plate when we wanted to.
All sounds very odd. Why did they want your V5C?
To your question, you will have to play by DVLAs rules to get your car re-registered back to your name and address, and deal with the seller separately. Not much else you can do.
But yes, edit your post to remove company and individuals name if you want the thread to survive.
me either, bought one plate before and just send a photo and was fine. All sounds very odd. Why did they want your V5C?
To your question, you will have to play by DVLAs rules to get your car re-registered back to your name and address, and deal with the seller separately. Not much else you can do.
But yes, edit your post to remove company and individuals name if you want the thread to survive.
Edited by Robertb on Tuesday 3rd February 16:02
post edited
i will be filing chargeback and MCOL
IIRC when you buy a plate you don't need to "send" anything. You just receive a retention certificate in the name of the previous registered keeper (owner) with your own name shown as Grantee. As Grantee you're then able to transfer the plate onto your own car or you can stick the certificate in a drawer until you're ready.
I've just had a weird one. Sold a modest plate 10 years ago and thought no more of it after posting off the Retention Certificate to the new owner with their name shown as Grantee. A few weeks ago DVLA wrote to me saying the plate has never been assigned to a vehicle and unless the retention is renewed the plate will be lost forever. I, of course, have absolutely no idea how to contact the currently named Grantee even though their name is shown on the Certificate.
I've just had a weird one. Sold a modest plate 10 years ago and thought no more of it after posting off the Retention Certificate to the new owner with their name shown as Grantee. A few weeks ago DVLA wrote to me saying the plate has never been assigned to a vehicle and unless the retention is renewed the plate will be lost forever. I, of course, have absolutely no idea how to contact the currently named Grantee even though their name is shown on the Certificate.
Panamax said:
IIRC when you buy a plate you don't need to "send" anything. You just receive a retention certificate in the name of the previous registered keeper (owner) with your own name shown as Grantee. As Grantee you're then able to transfer the plate onto your own car or you can stick the certificate in a drawer until you're ready.
I've just had a weird one. Sold a modest plate 10 years ago and thought no more of it after posting off the Retention Certificate to the new owner with their name shown as Grantee. A few weeks ago DVLA wrote to me saying the plate has never been assigned to a vehicle and unless the retention is renewed the plate will be lost forever. I, of course, have absolutely no idea how to contact the currently named Grantee even though their name is shown on the Certificate.
This grantee system seems open to abuse too. If they don't assign the plate and you kept the doc with the reference numbers there is absolutely no safeguard against you assigning the plate in 6 months time if they've just popped the certificate in a drawer.I've just had a weird one. Sold a modest plate 10 years ago and thought no more of it after posting off the Retention Certificate to the new owner with their name shown as Grantee. A few weeks ago DVLA wrote to me saying the plate has never been assigned to a vehicle and unless the retention is renewed the plate will be lost forever. I, of course, have absolutely no idea how to contact the currently named Grantee even though their name is shown on the Certificate.
I bought a plate on Collecting Cars a few years back I hadn't really intended to use immediately. Not mega money, but enough to be annoyed about, the only way to safeguard my purchase seemed to be applying it to a car.
the-norseman said:
They literally should have sent you a certificate for the plate, you could have gone online then and transferred it to your car and the new V5 would have been posted out.
Seems like some kinda scam to be where they get your docs and will want more £££ to release them now.
I agree, no number plate company would ask you so send the V5C to them, they would either send you the V778 (or V750 if the plate had never been on a car) or they might ask you for the reference number from your V5C if they were doing the transfer for you. There would be no need for the physical V5C and absolutely no need to mess with postal addresses or registered keeper addresses. Seems like some kinda scam to be where they get your docs and will want more £££ to release them now.
The plate would be assigned online and the new documents would be sent to the address which the vehicle was already registered to. I can’t understand how someone would make such a mess of it unless it was intentional.
du66rden said:
Looking for advice please
16 oct 2025 I purchased a £200 private VRN from a small online private plate company.
They asked for a photo of my v5c which i emailed over immediately. Right after they said I had to mail it in as DVLA would not accept the photo.
By 21st Oct 2025 I had posted it to them with special delivery.
This is the biggest alarm bell imaginable. Nobody sends a photo of the V5C to the DVLA so they are talking rubbish. You submit the reference numbers here (link below) and they’re done instantly. No photos needed.16 oct 2025 I purchased a £200 private VRN from a small online private plate company.
They asked for a photo of my v5c which i emailed over immediately. Right after they said I had to mail it in as DVLA would not accept the photo.
By 21st Oct 2025 I had posted it to them with special delivery.
https://www.personalisedvehicleregistration.servic...
Edited by Geertsen on Tuesday 3rd February 17:39
Geertsen said:
du66rden said:
Looking for advice please
16 oct 2025 I purchased a £200 private VRN from a small online private plate company.
They asked for a photo of my v5c which i emailed over immediately. Right after they said I had to mail it in as DVLA would not accept the photo.
By 21st Oct 2025 I had posted it to them with special delivery.
This is the biggest alarm bell imaginable. Nobody sends a photo of the V5C to the DVLA so they are talking rubbish. You submit the reference numbers here (link below) and they re done instantly. No photos needed.16 oct 2025 I purchased a £200 private VRN from a small online private plate company.
They asked for a photo of my v5c which i emailed over immediately. Right after they said I had to mail it in as DVLA would not accept the photo.
By 21st Oct 2025 I had posted it to them with special delivery.
https://www.personalisedvehicleregistration.servic...
Edited by Geertsen on Tuesday 3rd February 17:39
Best advice is to buy VRNs from the DVLA and nobody else.
Panamax said:
IIRC when you buy a plate you don't need to "send" anything. You just receive a retention certificate in the name of the previous registered keeper (owner) with your own name shown as Grantee. As Grantee you're then able to transfer the plate onto your own car or you can stick the certificate in a drawer until you're ready.
I've just had a weird one. Sold a modest plate 10 years ago and thought no more of it after posting off the Retention Certificate to the new owner with their name shown as Grantee. A few weeks ago DVLA wrote to me saying the plate has never been assigned to a vehicle and unless the retention is renewed the plate will be lost forever. I, of course, have absolutely no idea how to contact the currently named Grantee even though their name is shown on the Certificate.
The dealers don t usually do that these days: they want to transfer it on to your vehicle so that they don t disclose the former owner s details. Data protection etc I've just had a weird one. Sold a modest plate 10 years ago and thought no more of it after posting off the Retention Certificate to the new owner with their name shown as Grantee. A few weeks ago DVLA wrote to me saying the plate has never been assigned to a vehicle and unless the retention is renewed the plate will be lost forever. I, of course, have absolutely no idea how to contact the currently named Grantee even though their name is shown on the Certificate.
Whenever I ve bought plates already in circulation it has been a case of either providing the reference number, copy of the v5, or original (dependant on the dealer) but I ve only ever dealt with larger dealers/trade associations members.
No good reason for the dealer to be changing the registered keeper’s address though!
du66rden said:
I did get the retention certificate through in the mail after months, but its titled in their name and their address.
Should i get that sent off to dvla and changed into my details also i assume?
perhaps this is the scam they are trying to pull ?
Can't you fill your own name and address in as grantee on the retention certificate you have?Should i get that sent off to dvla and changed into my details also i assume?
perhaps this is the scam they are trying to pull ?
grumbas said:
the only way to safeguard my purchase seemed to be applying it to a car.
No surprises there. Why would any sane person buy a number plate without the intention of putting it on a car asap. Once the Grantee has the Retention Certificate with their name on it they should be home and dry. It's not as if DVLA sit there pretending anybody ever actually "owns" a number plate.du66rden said:
I did get the retention certificate through in the mail after months, but its titled in their name and their address.
Should i get that sent off to dvla and changed into my details also i assume?
perhaps this is the scam they are trying to pull ?
The retention document should be in their name, so that’s a good thing (shows they own the plate). The only way to get it into your name is to put it on a vehicle you own (i.e. a vehicle you are the registered keeper of). Ordinarily, when you receive a retention document you just go to the DVLA link I posted above and do the transfer online in seconds (at that point the plate belongs to you). The issue you have now though is that they’ve made themselves the registered keeper of your vehicle (if I understand you correctly).Should i get that sent off to dvla and changed into my details also i assume?
perhaps this is the scam they are trying to pull ?
ps. As a side note:
The ‘Nominee’ section is virtually pointless / worthless nowadays with online transfers (in terms of protecting your investmant). Writing your name in the Nominee section doesn’t stop anyone transferring the plate into there name. Neither does the Grantee section ultimately.
As a fictitious scenario, if I found a retention document on the floor and it had someone’s name printed as the Grantee and someone’s hand written details in the Nominee section I could put the number plate on my car and the owner wouldn’t even be notified (ignoring the legality of it or potential fallout).
Essentially what I am saying is the only secure way to hold a registration number is to put it onto a vehicle you own or if you take it off (onto a V778) don’t show anyone the reference number of the retention document.
The ONLY way to become the Grantee is to put it onto a vehicle of which you are the registered keeper.
The ‘Nominee’ section is virtually pointless / worthless nowadays with online transfers (in terms of protecting your investmant). Writing your name in the Nominee section doesn’t stop anyone transferring the plate into there name. Neither does the Grantee section ultimately.
As a fictitious scenario, if I found a retention document on the floor and it had someone’s name printed as the Grantee and someone’s hand written details in the Nominee section I could put the number plate on my car and the owner wouldn’t even be notified (ignoring the legality of it or potential fallout).
Essentially what I am saying is the only secure way to hold a registration number is to put it onto a vehicle you own or if you take it off (onto a V778) don’t show anyone the reference number of the retention document.
The ONLY way to become the Grantee is to put it onto a vehicle of which you are the registered keeper.
the-norseman said:
They literally should have sent you a certificate for the plate, you could have gone online then and transferred it to your car and the new V5 would have been posted out.
Seems like some kinda scam to be where they get your docs and will want more £££ to release them now.
Might they be using the V5C for a fraud eg car identity fraud following car theft, or logbook loan?Seems like some kinda scam to be where they get your docs and will want more £££ to release them now.
Why change the keeper address?
Speculation obviously but all most odd.
Robertb said:
the-norseman said:
They literally should have sent you a certificate for the plate, you could have gone online then and transferred it to your car and the new V5 would have been posted out.
Seems like some kinda scam to be where they get your docs and will want more £££ to release them now.
Might they be using the V5C for a fraud eg car identity fraud following car theft, or logbook loan?Seems like some kinda scam to be where they get your docs and will want more £££ to release them now.
Why change the keeper address?
Speculation obviously but all most odd.
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