Is a private number plate seller I found online safe to buy from?
Only use DVLA-authorised resellers. Many unlicensed private plate sellers take payment for registrations that are already sold or do not exist.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Explanation
Personalised number plate fraud occurs when sellers list plates on unofficial websites that are already sold, do not exist in the available inventory, or belong to someone else. Buyers pay a deposit or full purchase price and receive no plate or documentation. In the UK, all number plate transfers must be processed through the DVLA, and legitimate dealers work through the DVLA's secure online transfer system. Before purchasing from any reseller, verify they are registered with the DVLA as an authorised number plate assignment service. The DVLA operates its own official plate sales website, and reputable trade bodies such as CHERISHED NUMBERS DEALERS' ASSOCIATION list verified members. Never pay a large sum by bank transfer for a plate without a written contract and proof of the seller's DVLA authorisation.
The registration paperwork is what you are really buying — a personalised registration is a right recorded in the official system, not a physical object, and only the person named on the entitlement documents can transfer it. That is why the certificate question settles most cases: a seller who genuinely holds the registration can show the entitlement document naming them and complete the transfer through the official process, while a fraudster can only offer photos, excuses, and pressure to pay before 'someone else takes it'. Paying anyone who cannot evidence entitlement buys you nothing, whatever price was agreed.
Common red flags
- Seller cannot provide proof of DVLA authorisation
- Plate is significantly cheaper than on official DVLA or authorised dealer sites
- Payment requested by bank transfer with no written contract
- Seller cannot provide the DVLA retention certificate for the plate
What to do now
- Verify the dealer's DVLA authorisation through the DVLA website
- Request and keep all paperwork before making any payment
- Use the DVLA's official number plate auction or a CNDA-member dealer for security
- Report suspected fraud to the DVLA and your national fraud authority
Frequently asked questions
What documentation should a legitimate number plate sale provide?
A V778 retention document (DVLA) or a V750 certificate of entitlement should accompany any personalised registration sale. The transfer to your vehicle is then completed through DVLA's online service.
The seller says the retention certificate is being reissued but wants payment now — should I wait?
Do not pay. A seller without the entitlement document in hand cannot transfer the registration, and 'being reissued' is a standard stalling line in plate fraud. Agree to complete only when the documentation exists and the transfer can be done through the official process.