Did you know that you can sell a private number plate separately from your vehicle? If you’ve never owned a personalised registration before, the process can seem complicated, but it’s actually quite straightforward once you understand the basics.
Here’s everything you need to know.
For more advice on selling vehicles and preparing for a sale, visit our car selling guidance hub.
Selling a Private Number Plate
Personalised number plates have become increasingly popular over the years. For some owners, they’re a fun way to personalise a vehicle, while for others they can be a valuable asset in their own right.
Depending on the registration, a private number plate can sometimes be worth significantly more than its original purchase price. Plates featuring initials, names, or desirable combinations of characters often attract the most interest from buyers.
Before selling, you’ll need to determine whether the registration is currently assigned to a vehicle or held separately on a retention certificate.
What Does “On Retention” Mean?
A registration number is considered on retention when it is owned by an individual but is not currently assigned to a vehicle.
The ownership of the registration is recorded on a V778 Retention Document, which allows the owner to:
- Keep the registration without attaching it to a vehicle
- Transfer ownership
- Assign the registration to another vehicle in the future
You may also come across a V750 Certificate of Entitlement, which is generally used for registrations that have not previously been assigned to a vehicle.
How Do You Remove a Number Plate from a Vehicle?
If your personalised registration is currently assigned to your car and you’d like to sell it separately, you’ll first need to place it on retention.
This process requires:
- Access to your vehicle registration document (V5C)
- An application through the relevant registration process
- Payment of any applicable administration fees
Once completed, you’ll receive the necessary documentation confirming ownership of the registration.
As regulations and fees can change over time, it’s always worth checking the latest guidance before starting the process.
Selling a Vehicle With or Without the Number Plate
When selling your car, you generally have two options:
Option 1: Keep the Number Plate
You can remove the personalised registration and place it on retention before selling the vehicle. This allows you to keep the registration for a future car or sell it separately.
Option 2: Sell the Number Plate With the Car
You can leave the registration on the vehicle and sell everything together if the buyer is interested in purchasing both.
If you choose to remove the registration before selling, it’s important to ensure all vehicle documentation has been updated before completing the sale.
For more information on how long it takes to sell a car in the UK, we’ve got just the thing here.
Related Reading
You may also find these guides useful:
Thinking About Selling Your Car?
Whether you’re keeping your personalised registration or selling your vehicle complete with the plate attached, it’s worth finding out what your car is worth before making a decision.
With Jamjar, you can compare offers from trusted UK buyers and receive a free valuation in seconds, helping you sell your car quickly and confidently.