Selling FAQs
Can I sell my cherished registration mark with you?
Yes, of course. Please note the following procedural rules:
If your cherished registration mark is on a vehicle: You must be the Registered Keeper of the vehicle or be acting with the complete consent of the Keeper in order to sell the registration mark. Please note that the Registered Keeper will need to agree to the selling Terms and Conditions in the event of a sale.
In order to comply with the regulations of the government Cherished Registration Mark Transfer Scheme, all vehicles must be taxed (or tax exempt), have a current MOT (if of the required age) and be easily identifiable from their chassis numbers.
Please check your Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C or V5NI) does not say ‘Non-transferable registration mark’. This information will be listed under Section 3 - Special Notes, on the front cover of your Registration Certificate. A non-transferable registration mark cannot be sold or transferred but you may transfer another registration to a vehicle that has such a mark.
If your cherished registration mark is held on a government certificate: The certificate must be within its expiry date, i.e. currently valid and you must be recorded as the Grantee or the Purchaser, or be acting with the consent of the Grantee or Purchaser, in order to sell the registration mark. Please note that we will usually need to speak with the named Grantee to confirm that they agree to the selling Terms and Conditions.
How do I sell my cherished registration mark with you?
Decide on your price, complete a short form online and follow the instructions to complete our account registration process. As stated, this is a free selling service. In return, all that we ask is that, if you no longer wish to list it for sale, you remove your cherished registration from our website (by logging into your selling account). Please also keep us updated regarding any changes to your details or your asking price.
How much is my cherished number plate worth?
We don’t presently give valuations but we will let you know if we feel you are asking too much, or too little!, for your cherished numberplate.
Most of our sellers have a good idea of how much they wish to sell their cherished number plate for. This will often be based on what they paid for it and how long they have owned it as cherished registrations often increase in value as the years go by.
To get an idea of its value, you can enter your cherished registration into our Smart Search on the website. It won’t provide an exact match (because it’s your registration and not currently for sale!) but the results will provide a list of similar registrations and their prices, which you can use to make an informed decision regarding the value of your own plate.
The key to selling your cherished numberplate in a reasonable time is to be realistic with the price and not to over-value it.
Do you buy cherished registrations into your own stock?
We don’t currently buy cherished registrations into stock, but we do offer a free sellers’ service. For more information on selling through us, please see the ‘Can I sell my cherished registration mark with you?’ and ‘How do I sell my cherished registration mark with you?’ questions above.
Do you offer an exchange or part-exchange, service? ?
We don’t offer an exchange or part-exchange service. We do offer a free sellers’ service if you no longer wish to keep your cherished registration mark. For more information on selling through us, please refer to ‘Can I sell my cherished registration mark with you?’ and ‘How do I sell my cherished registration mark with you?’ above.
What else should I consider when deciding an asking price for my registration?
When the buyer clicks to view your cherished registration they will be presented with a price breakdown, including the Department for Transport transfer fee and any applicable VAT. When you sign up for a seller’s account you can experiment with your asking price to see what the final advertised price would be, before you submit your personalised registration for sale.
Elements that make up the sale price: Base price: The base price is made up of your selling price (the amount you require upon sale of your registration) and our service charges, less any pre-paid government fees.
Compulsory Government Charges: This includes the Department for Transport transfer fee .The transfer fee is the standard DVLA charge for changing the details of the vehicle(s) involved in the transfer and producing replacement documents, such as the V5C. The compulsory government charges also include any applicable Value Added Tax (VAT).
How much will it cost to advertise my cherished registration mark for sale through you?
You can advertise and sell with us in the complete confidence that it won’t cost you anything more than the price of a few letters and if you need them, the cost of a new set of Acrylic Number Plates, once the sale is completed.
We believe it’s very important that selling prices offer good value for money, so we keep our service charges as low as possible. This means that our prices are lower than elsewhere (hence the name Plates4less!) which in turn means quicker sales, happier buyers and very satisfied sellers.
Unlike many other firms, we will not charge you (the Seller) to list and sell your cherished number plates through us, provided you act in an honest and timely manner throughout the sales process. Our administration fees are paid by the buyer. You would only need to pay a fee should you fail to supply us with the required documentation within the agreed time scale or change your mind about selling once a sale agreement has been made. Naturally, if you change your mind after this contract is formed, then your buyer will be left disappointed and we will require you to pay the full service fees that your buyer would have otherwise paid, as we will have already completed the bulk of our agreed work. This fee must be paid within 14 days according to the following charging scale:-
| Seller’s asking price | Seller’s Administration fee for sale cancellation (inc vat) |
|---|---|
| £0 - £500 | £120.00 |
| £501 - £1,000 | £210.00 |
| £1,001+ | £300.00 |
How will my cherished registration be advertised?
We advertise throughout the whole of Britain and Northern Ireland, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, attracting in excess of 17,000 private number plate buyers to our popular website per day. Our nationwide marketing expertise uses the most effective search engines and specially formulated marketing campaigns, to place us high on the first pages of the most popular search results, for the most effective number-plate-specific, web searches.
With your permission, we will also pass details of your cherished numberplate (but not your identity or contact details) to our carefully selected trade a, so that you receive full ‘blanket’ coverage of the whole UK private number plate industry. All enquiries will come right back to us so that you have one certain point of contact for your sale. This is essential for you when negotiations begin as we will instantly be able to tell you how many buyers are involved and negotiate the best sale price on your behalf. We will make all of the approaches to other agents for you and you will see your registration on every reputable website. Once your registration is sold we will make sure all the other agents are updated and asked to remove your registration mark from their sales listings.
Can I list my cherished registration for sale elsewhere?
Absolutely. We only ask that you notify us should the registration no longer be available for sale so we can keep our records up to date and try to avoid disappointing potential buyers.
Can I be selective regarding who sees my advertisement?
We know that some sellers prefer to sell their assets quietly and somewhat ‘off the radar’. We keep a separate list of available highly desirable cherished number plates, which we make known only to serious enquirers and our qualified associates. Please let us know if you wish to be included in this bespoke ‘on the QT’ service by emailing us at ontheqt@plates4less.co.uk
We only recommend this service for distinct and rare combinations as your exposure to buyers will be considerably reduced.
How long will it take to sell my cherished registration mark?
Because private registrations are personal, they don’t suit every buyer who’s in the market at any given time, so it’s impossible to give an accurate answer here. Cherished number plates can take weeks, months and sometimes even years of advertising (if their appeal is very specialised), before the right buyer comes along to purchase them.
However, prospective buyers will find your cherished registration online easily, as we use the most advanced industry-leading search technology available. Our Smart Search is easy to use and our website is optimised and regularly updated for use on all internet browsing devices, including smartphones. You found us and your buyer will too!
The most important factors in selling any cherished registration mark within a reasonable time are: Accurately gauging its level of desirability Getting the asking price right, based on your own research Constantly advertising and marketing the registration mark to prospective buyers Assessing the changing conditions in the registration marketplace (and the wider UK economy) and responding accordingly Making it as easy as possible for the buyer by accepting the most popular methods of payment.
We advertise throughout the whole of Britain and Northern Ireland, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, attracting in excess of 17,000 cherished number plate buyers to our popular website per day. Our nationwide marketing expertise uses the most effective search engines and specially formulated marketing campaigns, to place us high on the first pages of the most popular search results, for the most effective number-plate-specific, web searches.
With your permission, we will also pass details of your cherished registration mark (but not your identity or contact details) to our carefully selected trade associates so that you receive full ‘blanket’ coverage of the whole UK cherished number plate industry. (All enquiries will come right back to us so that you have one certain point of contact for your sale. This is essential for you when negotiations begin as we will instantly be able to tell you how many buyers are involved and negotiate the best sale price on your behalf. We will make all of the approaches to other agents for you and you will see your registration on every reputable website.) Once your registration is sold we will make sure all the other agents are updated and asked to remove your registration mark from their sales listings.
Our payment options make your cherished numberplate affordable and easy to buy. We offer the buyer the fullest possible range of payment options, from cheques to bank transfers to debit and credits cards and individual finance packages. We have something to suit every buyer, helping them purchase your cherished registration mark.
Buyers will often make offers if they like your registration mark but cannot afford your asking price, or have seen similar marks for lower prices elsewhere. We will contact you with any reasonable offer received.
Can I sell my cherished registration privately?
Of course you can advertise your cherished registration mark privately and then request our involvement once a buyer has been found, if you wish. This gives you the confidence of having a qualified, government-regulated team of experts working for you.
Important advice: Please do not display or share any photos of your government certificates or registration documents on line for your own security. We also recommend that you do not release any of your documents to buyers and instead request their documents to conduct the transfer, but only after you have received cleared funds from them into your own bank account. Please also be aware that if they send funds to your Paypal account they can ask for all this money to be refunded, even after the sale is completed, leaving you with nothing.
Using a reputable intermediary such as ourselves, can prevent these problems and is highly recommended .
What is the VRM Swansea Commission List and how does this benefit my sale?
With your permission we will circulate your sales advert(s) with our reputable associates in the industry so that you have complete market coverage of the UK and Northern Ireland. Please rest assured that we will not share your personal contact details with any other party. All enquiries will come back to you only through us as your trusted appointed main agent. This naturally saves you the time and effort of registering your cherished registration mark for sale with several different companies and allows a larger audience of potential buyers to view it. This also greatly helps us determine how many buyers are interested in your number plate, which in turn helps us negotiate the best possible sale price for you when offers begin coming in.
This service often results in a quicker sale for you. It also saves you the inconvenience of calls you would otherwise receive when a buyer enters the market and begins ringing around many dealers to check on prices and availability. Once your registration is sold we will make sure all the other agents are updated and asked to remove your registration mark from their sales listings.
It is not compulsory to register your mark with our list and you may still approach other dealers or advertise independently if you so wish even if you are on the list.
What is the step by step process for selling my cherished registration?
Upon a sale being agreed (with yourself accepting the proposed amount), the following steps take place:
Terms & Conditions and proof of ownership exchanged Once you have confirmed your agreement to our Terms & Conditions and we have taken an order on your behalf, you must supply us with a copy of your proof of ownership of the registration mark. This can be via email or post and must be a valid most recent copy of one of the following government documents: V5C Vehicle Registration Certificate (or V5NI) V778 Certificate of Retention V750 Certificate of Entitlement
Payment secured The buyer’s payment is secured and held for you until the transfer is complete.
Contracts drawn up and mailed out A contract is sent to you, confirming the offer, along with a set of instructions for your formal acceptance and signature.
Transfer documents received by us When your vehicle/registration documents are received, they are checked by an expert transfer agent and held securely until the buyer’s documents are received and similarly scrutinised for suitability in the transfer process. Your documents and information will only be seen by VRM Swansea and Government personnel.
Transfer completed at DVLA Swansea vehicle office. An expert transfer agent will personally deliver your documents to the DVLA headquarters in Swansea to complete your transfer.
Payment made Payment is sent to you by cheque on the same day that we receive notification from the DVLA that the transfer is complete.
The entire process can take between 4 and 6 weeks. We always endeavour to complete the transfer and make payment to you as soon as Government confirmation allows us to do so.
What can I trust you to do when selling my cherished registration?
Our promises to you are that: Your cherished registration will be advertised for free until it’s sold, or you ask us to remove it from sale We will endeavour to secure a sale as soon as possible You will pay no sales commission to us We will contact you as soon as any reasonable offer is made We will conduct the entire transfer for you when a buyer is found You will receive your funds as soon as the transfer is complete
What do you expect from me when selling my cherished registration?
We expect you to: Act honestly with us Instruct us in the sale, only if you have full authority to do so Notify us immediately if you wish to remove your cherished registration from sale Notify us as soon as possible if any of your personal details change so we can ensure our records are accurate and relevant Keep your word once you have agreed to your sale Send us the correctly signed documents quickly and securely to enable us to complete your sale and process your funds
What if I want to change the details of my sale?
You can manage your advert online, remaining in control throughout the selling process. You won’t have to call us to change the price of your cherished number plate or to remove it from sale; with your unique log-in details, you can make instant changes yourself. We only ask that you do not increase your price once we have found a buyer as this is likely to cause bad will and deter them from purchasing.
How will my personal details be used?
We will conduct all contract negotiations for you, with expertise designed to ensure your safety, security and peace of mind throughout the entire process. You won’t have to deal directly with time wasters, or disclose your personal details or documents to complete strangers. We will check that your buyer is able to pay before the transfer is lodged with the government and your funds will be conveyed to you as soon as the successful transfer is confirmed.
What are the Terms & Conditions of using VRM Swansea’s sellers’ service?
Terms and conditions of using our seller service
These Terms & Conditions are specific to selling personalised registration marks through VRM Swansea/Plates4less (the Company) and should be read in conjunction with our general Terms & Conditions available on this website. Your personal statement: In order to use the VRM Swansea/Plates4less sellers’ service, I agree and understand that:-- I am at least 18 years of age and am the owner, or am acting with the full knowledge and consent of the owner(s), of the rights to the vehicle registration marks added by me to my sellers’ account.
- VRM Swansea/Plates4less reserves the right not to publish my items, or to withdraw them from sale at any time.
- If my full listing price is achieved from a buyer who is ready and willing to pay, then I instruct the company to automatically strike a sales contract on my behalf and consider my registration mark as 'sold' through them, without referring to me.
If offers are received from prospective buyers, then once I have accepted such an offer verbally or otherwise, I instruct the company to automatically strike a sales contract on my behalf and consider my registration mark as 'sold' through them. In both cases I will be compelled by law to complete the contracted sale by supplying the necessary signed documents, in a timely fashion. - I agree that correspondence can be sent to the registered owner at the address listed with DVLA on the most recent government documentation. It is a legal requirement that the DVLA is kept updated with vehicle documentation addresses and for your own safety we always confirm that the owners/controllers of registration marks are located at the address printed on government documents, to safeguard you against fraud.
- Upon receiving a contact from VRM Swansea/Plates4Less advising me of a party expressing interest in my registration number, I will not attempt to increase the price of the mark at any point whilst the enquiry is still active i.e. within 14 days of first contact.
- It is my duty to inform VRM Swansea/Plates4less in a timely fashion of any changes to the price and availability of the mark(s) I am advertising. If I fail to do this and VRM Swansea/Plates4less receive an enquiry for my registration, I will be obliged to go ahead at the current asking price. If I decide to increase my price once I have been notified that someone is interested in my registration then I understand that my registration mark will be removed from sale and I will not be able to list any future registrations for sale through VRM Swansea/Plates4less. This is in order to preserve buyers' confidence and the goodwill and good-standing of the company in the industry.
- It is my duty to inform VRM Swansea/Plates4less if the registration mark(s) is the property of a VAT-registered person or business so that the correct taxation may be applied before any offer for sale is accepted. If such notification is received after the sale deal is struck but before I receive my funds then I understand that the subsequent VAT liability will be taken from the balance due to me before the monies are transferred. If I completely fail to advise VRM Swansea /Plates4less of the correct liability, then I will make good the VAT payment to HM Revenue and Customs on their behalf, in a timely fashion, thereby preserving their margins and exonerating them of any error.
- VRM Swansea/Plates4less will contact me from time to time to ensure my details are accurate and up to date. If I fail to reply to such emails or calls then the offer of free advertising will be withdrawn without further notice.
- VRM Swansea/Plates4less will not entertain any claims for loss, especially those due to the failure of any buyer to perform their side of the contract, those caused by the failure of any electrical or telecommunications equipment, or those that are the result of the government refusing the registration mark’s transfer/assignment for any reason.
- I will promptly make good any claim for losses suffered by VRM Swansea/Plates4less should I change my mind or fail to supply the registration(s) after accepting a contractual offer and agreeing to sell my registration mark(s) through them. (See our Cost and Loss recovery fees detailed below.)
- Upon confirmation from VRM Swansea/Plates4Less that a sale has been achieved at my agreed price, I will supply proof of entitlement within 7 days and valid original documentation for the transfer within 3 weeks (unless otherwise agreed).
- It is my responsibility to carry out the instructions of the vehicle licensing authority (DVLA) and, if required, to arrange for new number plates to be manufactured and displayed on my vehicle, in compliance with the law.
- It is my responsibility to advise my vehicle insurers of any change to my vehicle registration mark once the sale and transfer is completed.
- I will normally be paid by way of Company cheque once VRM Swansea/Plates4Less has been advised by the DVLA that the transfer or assignment to the new owner has been successfully completed.
- If VRM Swansea/Plates4Less suspects that I am being dishonest or uncooperative in any way then the Company reserves the right to remove from their listing any marks which I have for sale before advising its trusted business associates of their experiences with me.
This is a completely free sellers service, however, if we find you a buyer and you agree to sell but then subsequently change your mind, or fail to supply us the required transfer documents within the agreed time scale, thereby preventing completion of your sale, you will be required to pay our administration, advertising and partial loss of commission, (AALOC) fee as shown below.
The administration, advertising and loss of commission fee covers, but is not limited to, the following;
- The time taken to amend our database, accounting, and administration systems.
- The time taken to destroy your original file, and update our commissions list.
- The charge we are required to pay our account provider or finance provider for processing the refund to the buyer.
- Our partial or full loss of commission from the sale*
- The return of documents to the buyer if applicable.
*Should you challenge our initial AALOC fee request, which normally includes a partial loss of commission, then we reserve the right to re-calculate and increase the total due from you in order to also recover our whole lost commission figure, whenever litigation is required.
| Your selling price | Sales Service Fee (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|
| £0 - £500 | £120 |
| £501 - £1,000 | £210 |
| £1,001 - £5000 | £300 |
| £5001 - £10,000 | £450 |
| £10,000 + | Bespoke amount agreed at time of sale |
Fees must be paid within 14 days of notification from us. |
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| V12042024 | |
Administration fees
Please note: If we find you a buyer and you agree to sell but then subsequently change your mind, or fail to supply us the required transfer documents within the agreed time scale, you will be required to pay an administration fee.
| Seller’s asking price | Seller’s Administration fee for sale cancellation (inc vat) |
|---|---|
| £0 - £500 | £120.00 |
| £501 - £1,000 | £210.00 |
| £1,001 + | £300.00 |
Once we have found a buyer for your cherished registration, you will need to agree to the Terms & Conditions with one of our sales team regarding the sale. They will read the following script and await your agreement:
Thank you for agreeing to sell your registration mark ____ returning you the amount of £ ____. We are about to offer your registration for sale on the basis that you are completely happy to sell your registration mark and, should we take an order, that you will supply proof of entitlement within 7 days and will supply the documents we require, within 3 weeks from today.
Once you have given us your consent to proceed, you are legally obliged to complete the sale through us. This means that if you later change your mind and decide not to proceed for any reason, you will be liable to pay our agreed administration fee, which in your case is £ ____ .
You are reminded that our system is completely secure and you are guaranteed your funds upon notification from the DVLA of your transfer’s successful completion. If for any reason there is a problem with the buyer’s payment or documentation then this contract will be automatically cancelled, at no cost to you. Please now confirm that you agree to these terms and conditions for the sale of your registration mark ____