Private Reg

DavidL

Member
Messages
214
I'd agree with private auctions on ebay as the best way to get a good buy. You still have to look quite hard mind.
 

outrun

Member
Messages
5,017
I’ve bought a few plates and inherited one as i bought a car that came with it. I’ve always bought from the DVLA direct as it seems that everyone else is either listing DVLA plates with a profit that you can avoid or selling SOR. Very few actually seem to own the plates they advertise.

Oddly, i own a set of plate M2 JBM, M22 JBM, M222 JBM and M25 JBM as well as my name AT11OLS and even though you’d think my name would be of most value to me, it’s actually the other ones as I’ve had them for so long. Every year the DVLA launches the new plates on a specific day so in 2011 I bought my name. Obviously, this year is 20 plates so perhaps they are more difficult to make a name from but it is worth noting the dates and trying to get a plate that is significant for you on the launch date. Remember you can’t put an age related plate, even a private one, on anything older so for me `I waited a couple of years before i owned a car new enough to get my AT11OLS plate onto it.
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
I’ve bought a few plates and inherited one as i bought a car that came with it. I’ve always bought from the DVLA direct as it seems that everyone else is either listing DVLA plates with a profit that you can avoid or selling SOR. Very few actually seem to own the plates they advertise.

I know I said the same but I would really listen to outrun. Buy from the DVLA. If you don you will potentially be ripped off by these companies. You may find the odd plate with them that isn't with the DVLA but mine was £250 with the DVLA but was on with three of these companies for £360, £390 and £450. Chester plates the DVLA just do a straig sole the ones that will raise more money go to auction.
 

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,102
I put MY03MAS on a reg auction site, just to get my money back, asked for £700 but saw it advertised at £1200. So the reg auction site want £500 profit for something they don't own. Clearly avoid auction sites. It's still available btw ;)
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,541
Had both our plates from DVLA. Mrs C's was a tad more spendy as ALF is a name where MAS is not really. I've got my eye on another one while I don't have a Maser

C
 

dgmx5

Member
Messages
1,142
couldn't resist checking ebay, this would be ideal, not sure if wife would approve though, then again ..........


And pay DVLA £250 rather than £399 on eBay.
 

DavidL

Member
Messages
214
DVLA don't seem to sell 3x3, 2x3, 2x2 plates etc as fixed price ones although I've not looked at irish ones. The auctions seem to go to silly money especially by the time you add in the premiums. I bid on a couple last year but the final selling price was really quite expensive. Certainly very few bargains unless you really don't mind what it is.
 

lifes2short

Member
Messages
5,821
And pay DVLA £250 rather than £399 on eBay.

the true dateless plates such as just 2/3 numbers with 2/3 letters fetch premium figures either at DVLA auctions or dealers, if you keep your eyes peeled on ebay you can be lucky and come across the odd private seller getting rid of such plates, I've been lucky to find a couple for well below £1000 in the past, I'm not a fan of the age related ones that are mashed together to make supposedly a word, not to mention they're ilegal if wrongly spaced
 

rivarama

Member
Messages
1,102
Slightly different question - I have a license plate on my 550 that reads “FER 550W” (inverted W for maranello I guess)...
I checked license plate websites and the equivalent plates for 360, 430 and 458 are being advertised for £20-30k.
I find this insane and would happily part with mine if someone offered me £15k for it... any idea how I get mine estimated?
 

Hawk13

Member
Messages
1,471
Slightly different question - I have a license plate on my 550 that reads “FER 550W” (inverted W for maranello I guess)...
I checked license plate websites and the equivalent plates for 360, 430 and 458 are being advertised for £20-30k.
I find this insane and would happily part with mine if someone offered me £15k for it... any idea how I get mine estimated?

As we all know too well, being advertised for and selling for are 2 completely different numbers.

Personally, I would be amazed if FER 550 W went for more than £1500.

Call around the online sellers and ask. Or pop it on ebay (during a £1 final listing fee) for £15k or best offer and see how much interest you get.
 

Kincath

Member
Messages
358
Here’s a thought. I bet the next timed DVLA auction may have a lot of bargains. I see a private reg as being way down the list of priorities for many. I have my eye on a ******* with a £400 reserve. Must be worth a go?
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
I’ve bought a few plates and inherited one as i bought a car that came with it. I’ve always bought from the DVLA direct as it seems that everyone else is either listing DVLA plates with a profit that you can avoid or selling SOR. Very few actually seem to own the plates they advertise.

Oddly, i own a set of plate M2 JBM, M22 JBM, M222 JBM and M25 JBM as well as my name AT11OLS and even though you’d think my name would be of most value to me, it’s actually the other ones as I’ve had them for so long. Every year the DVLA launches the new plates on a specific day so in 2011 I bought my name. Obviously, this year is 20 plates so perhaps they are more difficult to make a name from but it is worth noting the dates and trying to get a plate that is significant for you on the launch date. Remember you can’t put an age related plate, even a private one, on anything older so for me `I waited a couple of years before i owned a car new enough to get my AT11OLS plate onto it.
Stockpiling registration numbers! Sinful!
 

BillyBob

Member
Messages
107
Here’s a thought. I bet the next timed DVLA auction may have a lot of bargains. I see a private reg as being way down the list of priorities for many. I have my eye on a *** with a £400 reserve. Must be worth a go?

The last one definitely did. Lots of plates either didn't sell, or sold for the reserve. I got the one I was after for the reserve. A couple of months ago a similar one went for about £2K over the reserve. It will be interesting to see how long it takes the DVLA to send out the paperwork - it's not something I would class as essential.
 

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,117
My dad had a Merc with the reg GEOFF'S MER (or something very similar) which he was keeping................I asked why dad, when your name is Keith??!!
 

highlander

Member
Messages
5,214
MAS 76 seems a bargain starting point at £1200 in next auction given normal price you see these 5 digits one go for.
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
In Ireland you cant do owt with plates, best u can on a new purchase is reserve a number, like 55555 or 10000 if you have some clout or can pay. Plus the format is not suitable for making words etc;

11-D-12345, 10-MH-30000, very little scope - best is the get a a classic and red ZV plates - or u can have black/chrome like pre-73 UK plates....