Anyone ever request a plate from DVLA?

[Matty]

Many years ago, when I had my GTA I found that V637GTA wasn't in use....I though that'd be perfect after the AD conversation. Didn't do anything other than a few searches, didn't 'request' it or anything (as I didn't know you could) Then, about 6 months later (at which point I was trying to sell the car) it came up for auction, and another AD converted owner bought it. Obviously, that was 15 years ago.

Family member is after something, and I've noticed you can request plates from DVLA if they don't, or have never, existed. Anyone done it, or had much success? Comments online are all over the place - time taken from months to years, being poached/flipped by number plate companies, some going to auction, some straight sale?

[integrale_evo]

I have not, but I know a few people who have. Some have got one for a decent price, some have been bid against and had to spend more than they were expecting for ‘their’ plate, others have been outbid way above what they were prepared to pay.

I guess a lot depends how good it is, how many different people it might mean something to, who happens to bid on the day.

[Matty]

Yeah I've seen the stories about how the bidding can get out of hand - apparently the fees add up as well once the auction ends.

They've put the request in anyway. I did one too as I found something that might be good for mine so we'll see what happens

[mik]

How do you find out when something isn’t in use (and is also - presumably - not for sale on their website)?

[Jobbo]

Yeah I've seen the stories about how the bidding can get out of hand - apparently the fees add up as well once the auction ends.

They've put the request in anyway. I did one too as I found something that might be good for mine so we'll see what happens

Extras on top of the bid are quite a lot - VAT is the major one:
VAT (20%) on the winning bid
Buyer’s Premium (3%) + VAT (20%)
DVLA Assignment Fee: £80
https://dvlaauction.co.uk/home/help

[Matty]

How do you find out when something isn’t in use (and is also - presumably - not for sale on their website)?

I did an MOT/TAX check to see if it's currently used.
Then checked DVLA for sale
Then finally checked historical sold plates (on the DVLA site)

If it doesn't show up here, it's likely it's never been issued. You can then fill out a request on the site to ask for it.

Extras on top of the bid are quite a lot - VAT is the major one:
VAT (20%) on the winning bid
Buyer’s Premium (3%) + VAT (20%)
DVLA Assignment Fee: £80
https://dvlaauction.co.uk/home/help

Yeah, that's the concern. A £300 plate is about £150ish extra in fees!

[Jobbo]

How do you find out when something isn’t in use (and is also - presumably - not for sale on their website)?

I did an MOT/TAX check to see if it's currently used.
Then checked DVLA for sale
Then finally checked historical sold plates (on the DVLA site)

If it doesn't show up here, it's likely it's never been issued. You can then fill out a request on the site to ask for it.

Extras on top of the bid are quite a lot - VAT is the major one:
VAT (20%) on the winning bid
Buyer’s Premium (3%) + VAT (20%)
DVLA Assignment Fee: £80
https://dvlaauction.co.uk/home/help

Yeah, that's the concern. A £300 plate is about £150ish extra in fees!

That's the £80 fee for you. 23.6% plus £80, so even on a £1000 hammer price it's £1316 in total. Budget a third extra unless you're going mad with the price to the extent that £80 is a drop in the ocean.

[Matty]

I had a reply from DVLA for the plate I requested - apparently "EVR 410" has been issued, but I can't find a record of that anywhere, so I assume someone bought it and just....sat on it. All the plates "XXX 410" are about 300/400, so foolishly hoped that might be similar, and the market small enough to go unnoticed at auction. Those prices are about my limit for plates.

They've offered me "410 EVR" but with a start price of £800, with the discussed fees, that's a bit rich for a vanity plate for my liking.

[Jobbo]

410 EVR for a fixed price? That's not much over a grand with fees, and any normal purchase requires the £80 transfer fee so it's not bad value really. If it went for that - it might go higher. But you can be confident there will be a market for it.

[Matty]

Even at £800, before any other potential bids, it's a bit rich for my liking, and looking at the history for 410XXX plates, they fetch good money.
(Interesting how 410XXX have stronger values that XXX410)

For context, "410 EXG" went for £3850+fees, and they're as equally as rare a bunch. I looked this plate up, car barely moves! Obviously sitting in some collection somewhere. 6 year old car on 1400 miles.

I do like car-themed plates, and it fits well enough, but not for those kind of figures.

[Jobbo]

If they put it in an auction you can see what it goes for at least.

[Matty]

True. They'll email me when it appears.

In the meantime, @scotta - this is one for you. Lord of the A110's:
https://dvlaauction.co.uk/Event/LotDeta ... 5/A110-LRD

[Jobbo]

A110 LARD. What it's deep-fried in.

[mik]

410 CNT?

[Matty]

410 CNT?

I initially checked on "SPT 410" until I was reminded it looks more like:

Screenshot 2026-08-21 144610.png (150.06 KiB) Viewed 140 times

[integrale_evo]

EVR 410 could have been put on something that was scrapped or just parked up 50+ years ago and never got a modern V5. DVLA won’t ever release a plate for reuse even if properly disposed of.

[Matty]

EVR 410 could have been put on something that was scrapped or just parked up 50+ years ago and never got a modern V5. DVLA won’t ever release a plate for reuse even if properly disposed of.

I can find barely any plates that start with EVR, like you say I think it was a very old format. DVLA's actual words are:
"the dateless registration series EVR with numbers after the letters have all previously been issued and we dont have any left available to issue or sell"

Only about a dozen have gone though auction over the last 20 years.