10 Mistakes People Make When Buying a Private Number Plate

Buying a private number plate should be fun. But once money, DVLA rules and paperwork get involved, it’s very easy to make expensive mistakes.

Some errors only waste time. Others can cost you real money or leave you with a plate you can’t even use on your car.

Below are the most common mistakes people make when buying a private number plate — and how to avoid them, especially if you’re bidding through an auction platform.

1. Not checking if the plate is legal for your vehicle

This is the biggest mistake by far.

DVLA rules are clear: you cannot use a private number plate to make a vehicle look newer than it is.

Examples:

• You can’t put a “23” plate on a 2016 car.
• You can’t put an “09” style plate on a 2003 car.

If you ignore this rule, DVLA will reject the assignment and you’ll be left owning a plate you cannot use on that vehicle.

How to avoid it

• Check your car’s original registration year before bidding.
• Only buy plates that are the same age or older than your vehicle.
• If you’re unsure, assume you need an older (cherished or dateless) plate or ask before bidding.

2. Falling in love with a plate and ignoring your budget

It’s easy to get emotionally attached to a “perfect” plate and forget what you planned to spend.

What starts as a fun purchase can quickly turn into an uncomfortable credit card bill.

How to avoid it

Decide your **total** maximum spend in advance:

• Final bid or Buy Now price
• Any platform fees
• DVLA assignment fee (usually £80)

Write the number down and stick to it. If the price goes past your limit, walk away — another plate will come along.

3. Choosing a plate that’s hard to read or explain

Some plates only make sense once you explain them.

Forced substitutions, awkward number swaps, or imaginary spacing can make plates harder to read — and harder to resell.

How to avoid it

Ask yourself:

• Would I read this clearly if the car drove past at 30mph?

If the answer is no, it’s probably not a good choice.

Simple substitutions work best:

• 1 → I
• 3 → E
• 4 → A
• 0 → O

If you have to explain it, it’s likely too forced.

4. Forgetting about DVLA fees and transfer steps

Many buyers focus only on the headline price and forget the admin side.

Important things people overlook:

• The DVLA assignment or retention fee (often £80)
• Whether the plate is currently on a vehicle or already on a certificate (V778)

How to avoid it

Before bidding, check:

• Is the plate on a vehicle or on retention?
• Is the DVLA fee included or added on top?

After winning:

• Make sure you know who handles the DVLA paperwork.
• Do not fit physical plates until DVLA confirms the transfer.

5. Buying from someone who can’t prove ownership

If a seller cannot provide proper DVLA documentation, you may be dealing with someone who does not legally own the plate.

Required documents include:

• V5C logbook (if the plate is on a vehicle)
• V750 or V778 certificate (if on retention)

How to avoid it

• Use platforms that require sellers to confirm ownership and documentation.
• Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true.
• Walk away if a seller avoids questions about paperwork.

6. Fitting plates before DVLA confirms the transfer

This mistake is more common than people realise.

Until DVLA confirms the assignment, the plate is **not legally on the vehicle**.

How to avoid it

Only order and fit physical plates after you receive:

• DVLA online confirmation, or
• An updated V5C or official DVLA letter

No confirmation means the plate cannot legally be displayed yet.

7. Ignoring resale value completely

Even if you think you’ll never sell the plate, circumstances change.

Plates with stronger resale appeal usually include:

• Clean initials
• Common names
• Dateless or shorter formats

Very specific or forced plates are much harder to resell.

How to avoid it

Before buying, ask:

• Would anyone else realistically want this plate in the future?

If two plates cost similar amounts, the one with wider appeal usually makes more long-term sense.

8. Not checking how the plate looks on the actual car

A plate can look fine on paper but feel wrong once it’s on the vehicle.

Common issues include:

• Characters lining up poorly with fixing points
• Plates looking out of place on certain vehicle styles

How to avoid it

• Use any preview tools available to see realistic DVLA-style spacing.
• Visualise it on your specific car type — small hatchback, SUV, sports car, etc.

If it doesn’t look right in preview, it won’t look better on the road.

9. Rushing into the first plate you see

Because there’s emotion involved, buyers sometimes jump at the first “almost right” option.

Later, a better plate appears at a similar price — and the regret sets in.

How to avoid it

• Watch a few auctions before bidding seriously.
• Learn typical prices and availability for your initials or name.
• Bid once you feel informed, not pressured.

10. Not using a specialist auction platform properly

Many horror stories start with private deals, social media posts or unstructured selling.

A proper auction platform exists to:

• Verify sellers and documentation
• Set clear expectations on fees and process
• Provide structured, traceable transactions

But you still need to read the listing carefully.

How to avoid it

• Read the full listing, not just the headline.
• Pay attention to reserve prices, fees and plate status.
• Ask questions before bidding if anything is unclear.

Quick checklist before you buy

Before bidding or clicking Buy Now, make sure:

• The plate is legal for your vehicle’s age
• You understand the total cost, including all fees
• The plate is readable and not forced
• Proper DVLA documentation exists
• You know how and when the transfer happens
• You’re prepared to wait for DVLA confirmation
• You’ll still be happy with the plate in six months

Get these right, and buying a private plate becomes what it should be — a fun upgrade you can enjoy without nasty surprises. ---

Related guides you may find useful

• How to transfer a private number plate with DVLA (buyer & seller guide)
• How to choose the right private plate for your budget