How to Make an Offer on a Private Number Plate

Buying a private number plate is a great way to personalise your vehicle or make an investment for the future. You can find a range of number plates at SwiftReg by using our convenient search function - but what happens when you find a plate you like?

This guide will run you through your options.

Making an Offer

For high-value plates over £1000, interested buyers can either buy the plate outright or make an offer to the seller.

You can do this by clicking on the “Make an Enquiry” button after viewing your chosen number plate.

You’ll then be taken to a form, where you can detail your financial offer, plus fill in your details.

Once a reasonable offer has been made, we will share the information with the seller, who will decide whether they accept or not.

If you want help finding out how to increase the chances of a seller accepting your offer, please continue reading for our tips below.

Our Top Tips for Buying a Private License Plate

1: Hold Strong On Your Offer

You’ve found a number plate you love, and you want to secure it. We get that! However, one of the biggest mistakes we see buyers make is submitting multiple offers through different dealers. It might seem like you’ll be able to secure the plate - but here’s what really happens.

The Data Protection Act means dealers shouldn’t reveal the names of the people behind any offers. So, if a seller suddenly sees multiple offers, they may raise the price, thinking demand is high.

Or, in some cases, the seller might decide to hold on to the plate and let it appreciate in value.

Submit one offer, hold firm, and increase it only if someone else is genuinely interested in the plate.

2: Be Respectful

Buying a number plate isn’t like an eBay auction; your offer should always reflect the plate's value and rarity. However, we also ensure sellers list realistic prices based on the same principles.

Remember, highly sought-after dateless plates and cherished plates command a higher price than modern private plates. Some of the most prestigious plates can fetch tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds.

When a seller lists their plate with us, we ask whether they’re open to offers or would prefer to stick to a set price. Our experts also ensure the asking price is fair, which simplifies the process for both sellers and buyers.

3: Do Your Research

While we always ensure that sellers offer fair market values, you should also do your own research for peace of mind.

Look at other plates for sale to see the rates sellers are asking and if you think the price is reasonable.

4: Treat Private Plates as Luxury Investments

Just like classic cars and jewellery, private number plates in the UK are luxury investments. Even if a plate has been on the market for some time, it doesn’t mean that a seller will reduce the price or accept low-ball offers.

Most are willing to wait for their desired price, as they bought the number plate as an investment.

5: Remember to Factor in Other Costs

When you purchase a personalised number plate, you need to pay an £80 transfer fee to the DVLA. The highest additional cost is paying VAT, which all buyers must do. The amount of tax you pay depends on the cost of your plate.

The standard UK rate of 20% applies here, so a £5,000 registration will actually cost you £6080. If you buy a highly sought-after registration plate for £100,000, your total costs will be £120,080.

6: Negotiations Aren’t Guaranteed

As we said before, some sellers are open to offers, while others won’t be. If you make an offer below expectations, the seller is unlikely to accept it - although everyone’s different.

If the plate’s been listed for a long time, some sellers may be willing to negotiate, and we’ll always try to help you secure the plate you want.

If the seller isn’t willing to negotiate, it’s time to explore other plates. Try our Make Your Own Number Plate tool and view available combinations that fit your budget.

Buy A Private Plate Today

Private plates aren’t just statements for your car; they’re investments that can generate strong returns in the future. When you search for plates through SwiftReg, you can connect with sellers, make offers, and enjoy a hassle-free process.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.