Selling your Personalised Registration Mark - Additional Instructions
To help you use our seller’s service, we have compiled this guide.
When listing your personalised registration mark for sale, you will create an account and set your asking price. Your registration mark will either be listed as Available Now, for immediate purchase, or Check it Now, which requires you to confirm that the registration mark is still available before it is offered for sale.
During this process, buyers may make offers on your registration marks. We will only take an order from a potential buyer if it is within your pre-agreed price range, whether this has been agreed online or by phone.
Next steps in the selling process
1. Proof of Ownership
When we have found a buyer for you, we will need to see an image of your documentation and a copy of some ID. This is due within 7 days of receiving an order.
Your registration will be held on one of the following documents:
- V750 Certificate of Entitlement
- V778 Retention Document
- V5C Vehicle Registration Certificate (also known as a V5 log book)
At this stage, we only require an image of your document, but we will request the original. This is so that we can verify that the document is in your name and address, and that it is valid.
We are required to send correspondence to the person named on the document, at the address listed, as they are the legal owner of the registration mark.
If the document is not in your name or address, we may need supplemental information or to read through our Terms and Conditions with the correct person. Please see our FAQs for more information.
If the person listed on the document is your spouse, and the address is correct, please let us know. In most cases we will be able to accept this, and will send confirmation addressed to your spouse.
2. Confirmation pack sent
A confirmation pack is sent to both parties. This is sent before we ask for any original official documentation from the seller or buyer. Any request for documents will be accompanied by a postage-paid envelope addressed to VRM Swansea.
- You will receive a promise of payment (to be made when the transfer or retention is complete) as well as full instructions regarding how to proceed.
- The buyer will also receive a receipt as proof of purchase, as well as full instructions regarding how to proceed.
3. Send original documents
Original documentation from buyers and sellers is required within 21 days of receiving proof of ownership. Once we receive your original documents and payment request, and the buyer’s documentation, they are checked by an expert transfer agent regarding their suitability in the transfer process.
4. Transfer submitted
Depending on the application type, an expert transfer agent will either complete the transfer using a digital system or will liaise with Swansea DVLA headquarters in person to complete the transfer or retain the registration mark.
5. Transfer completion
Once the transfer or retention has been completed, your payment will be sent by cheque The entire transfer process can take anywhere between 1 and 6 weeks. We always endeavour to complete the transfer and make payment to the seller as soon as Government confirmation allows us to do so.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Transfer Process – the plate I am selling is on a vehicle
What if I do not have the full V5 Registration Document in my name or at my latest address?
The person listed as the registered keeper of the vehicle is the legal owner of the registration mark. If
this is not you, we will need to speak to them to confirm that they agree to our terms and conditions
of sale. Alternatively, to update the address on a V5 log book please visit the DVLA’s website by clicking here.
Can I use my vehicle during the transfer process?
Yes, it’s perfectly legal to use your vehicle whilst the transfer assignment process is underway, no
matter what stage it is at.
I do not have a V5 log book – what can I do?
You can apply for a duplicate V5 online here. If your details are still the same, you can also get a
duplicate V5 by phone. You will need to contact DVLA on 0300 790 6802.
My vehicle does not have Tax/an MOT – is this okay?
The DVLA stipulates that a vehicle must:
- be registered with DVLA in the UK
- be able to move under its own power
- be of a type that needs an MOT or heavy goods vehicle (HGV) test certificate
- be available for inspection - DVLA will contact you if they need to inspect your vehicle
- have been taxed or had a SORN in place continuously for the past 5 years
- be taxed currently or have a SORN in place - if it’s had a SORN in place for more than 5 years, it must be taxed and have an MOT certificate
You need to ensure that your vehicle is able to meet these standards. If you cannot, please let us know.
If your registration is on an ‘historic’ vehicle, the DVLA may request that you submit your vehicle for a voluntary MOT. An ‘historic’ vehicle is defined by DVLA as being built before 1st January 1984. Please let us know if your vehicle meets this criteria, as we may not be able to retain or sell your registration if you are unable to submit the vehicle for inspection.
What registration will go back onto my vehicle?
When we retain the private registration mark off of your vehicle, you will automatically be allocated an
age-appropriate registration mark. In most instances, this will be the registration that was previously
assigned to the vehicle but if the vehicle was registered with the private mark .
What do I do with the physical plates?
Once the transfer has been completed you must safely dispose of the plates. The customer will opt to
get their new plates either from us, or a local supplier of their choosing.
The Transfer Process – the plate I am selling is on a certificate
What happens if the certificate is not in my name?
The person named as the Purchaser (on a V750) or Grantee (on a V778) is the legal owner of the
registration mark. If this is not yourself, or your spouse, we need to speak to them to read our Terms
and Conditions of sale. If you purchased the registration mark from this individual, please let us know,
providing any supplementary information such as a receipt of purchase, so that we can investigate
further.
Why do you need to see the front and back of the document?
In order to verify that the certificate is valid, we need to be able to check the name and address listed,
and the certificate reference number. The V750 and V778 certificate formats were changed by DVLA
in January 2024 and the reference number is now printed on the reverse.
If you have an older style of certificate (dated before January 2024) then just the front will suffice, but
if you are not sure, sending both sides of the certificate will ensure that we receive the correct
information.
My certificate has expired, how do I renew it?
If your certificate has expired, you will not be able to renew your rights to use the registration mark.
The DVLA will not accept applications to renew after the expiry date. Please contact us so that we
can update your buyer.
What happens if the certificate is not in my address?
For security, we can only send correspondence to the address listed on the certificate. If you no
longer have access to this address, please let us know. We will either request supplemental
information, such as identification bearing the correct address, or we may ask you to follow one of the
procedures below;
V750
You can order a new V750 Certificate of Entitlement using your DVLA online account here. You will need to update your address on the account first, and then request a duplicate certificate. These are two separate actions on the website.V778
To update the address on your V778 Retention Document, or request a duplicate, we recommend calling DVLA first on 0300 790 6802, following options 1-4-4-5.
If you need to update your V778 by post, you will need to fill in the ‘change of address section’. Sign it
and send it to;
DVLA Personalised Registration, Swansea, SA99 1DS
I cannot find my V778, but I have moved house. What can I do?
You will need to write a letter to the DVLA stating what your new address is. Sign it and send it to
DVLA Personalised Registrations (at the address above) with proof of your identity, such as a driving
licence or recent utility bill. If your name has changed, include proof of your name change, such as
your deed poll, or marriage certificate.
General Queries
When will I receive my payment?
Once the transfer of your registration has been completed, we will send your payment to you via
cheque. The transfer process from start to finish can take between 1 and 6 weeks.
Can you pay me by BACs?
Payment is typically made by cheque, to the address on the Government certificate. This is to ensure
that the correct person receives payment at the correct address. In some instances we will be able to
pay you via bank transfer, but for security we will request supplemental information, such as a headed
letter from the bank with your account details.
I have moved abroad since listing the registration for sale – can you send correspondence to my address?
We are only able to send correspondence to a valid UK address, as stated in our terms and
conditions. If you have moved abroad, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can explore
your options. We will usually ask you to follow one of the processes below:
- We send all documentation to the address on the certificate. Someone can collect it on your behalf and then send you scanned images of the documents to sign and send back to us by email. Upon completion of the sale, a cheque payment (made payable to the person specified by you) will be sent to the address on the certificate.
- Nominate someone in the UK to act on your behalf. You would need to contact the DVLA to change the address on the certificate to the nominated person’s address if they do not live at the address currently listed. We would then send all correspondence to them. As you cannot change the name on the certificate, you will still need to give us written authorisation and supply identification (such as a copy of your driving licence, passport, or utility bill). Upon completion of the sale, a cheque payment (made payable to the person specified by you) will be sent to the address on the certificate.
- Assign the mark to a UK vehicle (of a friend or relative, for example) and we can then liaise with the registered keeper to complete the sale.
Can I send you my proof of ownership by mobile phone?
Yes! You can send a copy of your documentation by MMS, WhatsApp, email, or by post. Once we have
received this, we will require original documentation within 21 days.
Why do you need original documents?
To safeguard the rights to the registration, we need to send and receive correspondence by post to
verify that you, as the seller, have possession of the original documents. Furthermore, not all transfers
are guaranteed using DVLA’s digital system. In these instances they request original documentation
without exception and so delaying sending this documentation will slow down the transfer process,
and delay your payment.
Will I receive the transfer fee back as well as my asking price?
We ask you to include any fees in your asking price, as stated when you listed your registration for
sale. This includes the £80 transfer fee, and any VAT is applicable. The price specified as your asking
price will be returned to you, unless a lower price has been agreed by you.
If the registration mark is currently on a vehicle, we will cover the £80 transfer fee to retain the registration.
Can I nominate someone to deal with the paperwork on my behalf?
We will need you to sign the document and payment request if it is in your name, but if you have a
Power of Attorney in place, the person listed will be able to complete this on your behalf.
Alternatively if you call in with any queries and would prefer us to speak to someone else at the time
of the call, you can then pass us to them as we are only able to divulge information to another
individual with your express permission.
Do I have to pay a fee to sell my registration mark?
Our selling service is free to sellers, with buyers paying any fees when they purchase your registration
mark. When you list your registration mark for sale, you are asked to enter the total sum that you wish
to receive. You also have the option to preview your advert, so that you can see what price the
registration mark will be advertised for.
Can I withdraw my registration from sale?
We understand that on occasion, people change their mind or circumstances change. We try to be
accommodating in these scenarios however we do not like to let down our buyers once we have
already committed to supplying your registration to them.
Whilst it is free to list and sell your personalised registration mark, should you renege on an agreed sale, or fail to supply the required transfer documents within the agreed timescale, you will be required to pay our Sales Service Fee within 14 days of notification to cover the cost of the administrative work already carried out on your behalf.
The Sales Service Fee is as follows;
| Your Price | Sales Service Fee (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|
| £0 - £500 | £120 |
| £501 - £1,000 | £210 |
| £1,001 - £5,000 | £300 |
| £5,001 - £10,000 | £450 |
| £10,000+ | Bespoke amount at time of sale |
About VRM Swansea/Plates4less
Plates4less is a trading name of VRM Swansea Ltd. Our company registration number is 5408322.
We have been established since 1997, accruing thousands of happy customers. You can check independent review sites for feedback about us, such as: Trustpilot - https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.plates4less.co.uk.
Our company is VAT registered. Our VAT registration number is 811243082.
We are licensed by the Office of Fair Trading. Our licence no. 0615287.
We are Data Protection registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO no. Z9704649).
We are registered with the DVLA as legal number plate suppliers. We are authorised by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority FRN : 734204) to offer consumer finance. You can view more about us as a company (including our values, code of practice, and standards of trading) online here: https://www.plates4less.co.uk/number-plates-guides/about-us-and-our-policies/about-us/
