A private number plate, also known as a personalised or custom-made number plate, can elevate the look of a personal or business vehicle instantly – adding an air of professionalism to a work van, giving your family car a little upgrade, or marking the perfect way to celebrate a special event or significant milestone in the life of a loved one.
Whether purchased for yourself or as a gift, private number plates can help a vehicle stand out for all the right reasons – not to mention they can help you to find your car on a busy street, help potential customers remember the name of your business or brand, and offer an excellent investment opportunity. And they’re much easier to come by than many people think, provided you source your number plate through a reputable seller or registered source.
Here’s how to find your perfect private number plate in the safest and most cost-effective way possible.
What do you need to know and look for when buying a private number plate?
Unfortunately, buying and fitting a new number plate is not as easy as simply unscrewing one and replacing it with another – and because of this, there are a few things you need to know before making the switch.
To ensure that a new private number plate is registered legally with your vehicle, you will need the V750 or V778 form (depending on whether you are buying from a private seller or switching plates on vehicles you already own, for example from an old work van to a new one).
When buying from an external seller, the V750 certificate is what will allow you to go online and register the private plate with your vehicle, so make sure you ask for this. When buying a fresh plate from the DVLA, this registration will be done as part of the process.
Buying a number plate via the DVLA
The DVLA offers a broad personalised number plate service which invites buyers to enter their ideal plate layout and browse available plates which are as close as possible to their preference.
The available plates are generally available via two processes – one with instant purchase opportunities, and the second being upcoming auctions where more coveted plates are soon to be marketed for resale. Depending on the plate you want, both of these options can enable you to find the plate which best suits your business, family name, or significant layout.
Buying a number plate from a private seller
Alternatively, private sellers might have the perfect number plate that you’ve been looking for – with the reputable auction and resale sites the best place to go to browse available opportunities.
Provided you receive the aforementioned certificate relating to the plate which allows you to register it to your vehicle, this can be a great way of adding a personal touch to your vehicle – or investing in a plate that you believe will collect value over time.
Private number plates: the epitome of luxury?
It’s hard not to be impressed when you drive past a car or vehicle with a personalised or private number plate – with such purchases not only adding an air of luxury to the vehicle but also, in some cases, proving a worthwhile investment.
Personalised number plates which are sold on the private resale market can collect profits from the hundreds up into the thousands, depending on the number plate and how it references certain trends and/or terms which come into fashion or are highly coveted by a specific buyer.
The luxury goods market is on the rise, with private number plates one of those little luxuries that everyone deserves in life. And thanks to this guide, you’re now equipped to go out there and find the number plate which best suits you, your lifestyle, or your business.
Alternatively, if you have a private number plate you want to sell, reputable resale companies can offer instant quotes on some of the most coveted plates on the market – with competitive prices and a convenient process which helps you part with unwanted investment plates quickly.
