Sell your private number plate at auction

Want to sell your private number plate but not sure what it's worth? AuctionMyPlate lets you list your registration, set a hidden reserve, and auction it to registered UK buyers with no listing fee. Whether your plate is on a vehicle or held on a retention certificate, we run the auction and guide you through the relevant DVLA steps so you can sell with confidence.

Registered bidders

Buyers create an account and verify their email before bidding.

Hidden reserve

You stay in control; your reserve isn't shown publicly.

DVLA transfer guidance

Clear steps for plates on vehicles or retention.

Why auction instead of a fixed price sale?

A fixed price listing is guesswork. If you price too low, you lose out. If you price too high, nothing happens.

Tests the market value: buyers compete through a timed auction.
Creates urgency: a clear end time and soft-close window encourage active bidding.
Requires registered bidders: buyers must create and verify an account before bidding.

What you'll need to list your plate

Your registration number (exactly as on your documents)
Whether it is currently assigned to a vehicle, held on a V750 certificate of entitlement, or held on a V778 retention document
The valid future expiry date shown on the V750 or V778, when the registration is already held on a document
A realistic reserve price
A short description of why the plate is desirable (wording, age, initials, etc.)

You can also choose a starting price and optional Buy Now price. We'll show you the expected fees and payout before you confirm.

Fees & your payout

Listing fee: £0; there is no charge to list your plate.
Commission: a small percentage only if your plate sells (based on the final sale price).
DVLA vehicle removal fee: if the registration is still assigned to a vehicle when it sells, the current £80 DVLA fee for taking it off that vehicle is deducted from the seller's payout.
V750 or V778 listings: if the registration is already held on a valid certificate or retention document, no additional £80 DVLA removal fee is deducted. The document type and future expiry date must be entered accurately before the listing can be submitted.

Check the official GOV.UK guidance for both stages of the transfer process.

Taking a private number off a vehicle Assigning a private number to a vehicle

AuctionMyPlate is an independent marketplace and is not affiliated with the DVLA.

Before you submit your listing, we show the reserve price, commission rate, any applicable £80 DVLA vehicle removal fee and the estimated seller payout. If the reserve isn't met, the plate simply doesn't sell and you owe nothing.

Prefer the full breakdown? See our Fees page.

How selling your plate with AuctionMyPlate works

Create your seller account: register with your name, address and contact details. Your email must be verified.
Submit your plate: enter the registration, select how it is currently held and, for a V750 or V778, enter the document's future expiry date. Then add the details and set the reserve or optional Buy Now price.
Admin review: we check the listing for obvious issues. If anything is missing, we'll contact you before approving it.
Queued for the next auction: once approved, your plate is queued for the next suitable weekly auction window. You'll see the countdown in your dashboard.
Live auction: buyers place bids and can use Buy Now when it is enabled.
Sale, transfer and payout: when the auction ends and the reserve is met, we confirm the sale, guide the required DVLA steps and release the seller payout once the process is complete.

Seller FAQs

Can I sell a plate that's on a vehicle?

Yes. You can list a registration that is assigned to a vehicle or held on a valid V750 or V778. If it is on a vehicle, the current £80 DVLA removal fee is deducted from the seller payout. If it is already on a valid document, that additional removal fee does not apply.

Do I need the V750 or V778 expiry date?

Yes. When a registration is held on a V750 certificate or V778 retention document, you must enter the valid future expiry date shown on that document. Listings with a missing, invalid or expired date cannot be submitted.

What if my reserve isn't met?

If bidding doesn't reach your reserve, your plate simply doesn't sell, and you owe nothing.

When do I get paid?

We pay out once the sale is confirmed and the transfer process is completed. We keep you updated through your dashboard.

Do I need to guess a starting price?

No. The most important number is your reserve, which is the minimum you'll accept. Starting price and Buy Now are optional; we show you the estimated payout before you confirm.

Ready to get started? It takes just a few minutes to list your plate.

Create your free seller account