Everything you need to know before you bid
Understanding auctions: how the auction works
We run one auction per month on a fixed auction day. Every plate accepted for that month is listed as a numbered lot, and all lots for the month close on the same auction day.
Bidding opens when the auction goes live and stays open for the full auction window. Each lot closes at its scheduled time; the highest bid standing at that moment wins. If a lot carries a reserve and that reserve is not met, the lot goes unsold and no sale is made.
Placing a bid and what winning means
You need a registered, identity-verified account before you can bid. Once you are approved, open any lot and enter your bid — it must be at least the minimum increment above the current bid.
Every bid is binding. If you hold the winning bid when the lot closes, you have committed to buy that registration at that price. You will be notified by email as soon as a lot you are bidding on is outbid, and again if you win.
- Minimum increment[PLACEHOLDER — confirm the minimum bid increment]
- Bid retractionBids cannot be retracted once placed.
- NotificationsOutbid alerts and win confirmations are sent to your registered email or SMS.
How payment works
Payment for a winning lot is collected after the auction closes and held in escrow. Escrow means the funds sit in a protected account rather than going straight to the seller.
The seller is only paid once the registration transfer has completed and you hold the correct DVLA documentation. If a transfer cannot be completed, your funds are returned from escrow.
- Payment window[PLACEHOLDER — confirm how many days a winner has to pay]
- Accepted methods[PLACEHOLDER — confirm accepted payment methods]
- Release conditionFunds release to the seller only after the DVLA transfer is confirmed.
How the plate transfer works
Transfers follow the official DVLA process. The seller initiates the assignment of the registration to you using form V317 (or the DVLA’s online personalised registrations service), and our team tracks each stage and keeps you updated.
When DVLA confirms the assignment, you receive the updated documentation — a V778 Retention Certificate in your name if you are holding the registration, or an updated V5C if you are assigning it straight to a vehicle. At that point the registration is yours and escrow is released to the seller.
- FormV317 — assignment or retention of a registration number.
- Typical timescale[PLACEHOLDER — confirm typical DVLA processing time]
- Who initiatesThe seller initiates; we track and confirm every stage.
On retention (V778) vs on a vehicle
Each lot tells you how the registration is currently held, because it changes what happens after you win.
- On retention (V778)The registration is held on a retention certificate and is not attached to any vehicle. It transfers directly to you, and you can hold it on retention indefinitely (subject to keeping the certificate valid) or assign it to a vehicle whenever you choose.
- On a vehicleThe registration is currently assigned to a vehicle. The seller must first take it off that vehicle onto a retention document before it can come to you, which adds a step to the timeline.
- Not sureSome sellers submit a plate before confirming how it is held. We verify the position with DVLA records before the lot goes live, and the listing is updated to reflect it.
Fees and what to expect
Your total cost is the winning bid plus a buyer’s premium and the DVLA assignment fee. All amounts are shown before you confirm a bid.
Your responsibilities and the no-returns policy
Check the registration carefully before bidding — the exact characters, the spacing, and how it is currently held. A registration cannot be assigned to a vehicle that is newer than the registration itself, so make sure the plate you are buying is legal for the vehicle you intend to put it on.
All sales are final. Because the sale involves the transfer of official DVLA documentation, we operate a strict no-returns policy: once a lot closes in your favour, the purchase cannot be cancelled, returned, or refunded. Keep your account details and contact information current so we can reach you during the transfer.