Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » Getting his number
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Getting his number

My wife's farther died last summer and we have been left with his old car, which failed its MOT. We have decided to send the car to the scrap dealer. It has a number plate that is worth around £1,000. The DVLA has told my wife that we need to get the car to pass the MOT before we can transfer the number plate. Is this correct?

Asked on 14 March 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
If the car is taxed and MoT’d you can transfer the reg. If it is not taxed but is SORN’d it needs to be got though the MoT. You need Form V317, which you can download from www.direct.gov.uk (put ‘personalised Registrations’ in the search window.) If you want to transfer the reg to a retention certificate you need Form V778.

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide
Similar questions
What's the best way to sell a cherished plate?
There seems to be a lack of transparency when selling your plate via an agency; they offer you a figure without divulging what they're receiving for it, so it's difficult to tell if it's a good deal. Do...
12 years ago I bought the private registration plate 'PDF 25' for £2500. I now wish to sell it and have only been offered £1200. I do not know whether to advertise privately for a higher price, or if that...