Langy

I'm selling my car and probably plan to put it in the autotrader in the near future. The car has a private plate on it that i want to keep so roughly how long does it take to get the plate off if someone came and bought it. I don't want to keep the buyer waiting if it takes ages. Could someone tell me how long/easy it takes and what the general procedure is

Steven

DAC

IMHO - if your definately selling I would get the plate of now and hold it on retention or swap to another car.

never done it myself - but i didnt buy a car once cos of all the hassle and time factor the buyer was explaining,
he wanted me to take the car - and he would send new V5 thro - and I'd have to get new plates etc.

I dont think its too difficult but unless you go in person to a DVLA office it can take days/weeks in post.

I had the cash with me and walked away. - make it easy for the buyer.

met

check on the dvla site & if you go to your local office you can get it done there & then you may not live near to one but it may be a better option as doing it by post is a pain in the ****, to sell it with the plates on then transfer is a long drawn out pain

Jonto

Takes about 6 weeks - it did on mind anyway

MattW

If you visit the local dvla office they do it there and then....however the V5 goes to swansea and a new one arrives within 2-3 weeks, however they do say that it can take up to 6 weeks.

Langy

6 Weeks!!

Suppose, typical government run department

DAC

as I said - best get it done before selling

even DVLA advise not to buy a car without the V5 - but then thats the way it operates with private plates.
no one in right mind is going to take a car and with promise 'I'll send or get sent - the V5 later'

with so many dodgy motors out there - people will be wary.

Freak

do what i did.
keep the plate on the car when its being viewed-that way you have the v5 to show them etc and can prove its legit.

then when someone buys it and a deal is agreed, go the dvla office in person, take the plate off the car onto retention or another vehicle, and when the V5 is sent off by the dvla for updating make sure the new keeper details are filled in- this way it is returned straight to the new owner.

worked for me.

Mickle

Do you get your old reg plate number back? the one before the private plate.

Freak

99.999999% of the time yes

JV

Bu66er, I must have been the 0.000001% that didn't get the original plate then. I had to fork out another £25 for new plates in addition to the £80 transfer