Selling a Classic Car/Number plate

BargainJunky

My inlaws have a very old Morris Minor which they were planning to sell. FIL did it up but is now unable to drive it.

It was apparently taken to a classic car dealer who was trying to sell on their behalf with him keeping half of the proceeds. This arrangement has fallen through and the car is being returned.

The car still has its original number plate which I think is probably worth a lot more than the car as it spells out a mans name - for example KEN 123H (thats not the plate).

How would they go about getting just the plate valued or is it better to sell with the car. Any advice would be welcome.

AdrianC

There are a million and three plate dealers who will give you a valuation for the plate. Few will buy it into stock, and they will merely act as your agent. The plate may well not sell for a long while.

If you want to sell it quickly, advertise it yourself. It shouldn't be hard to find similar plates advertised - then set your price a bit lower. If it still won't sell, reduce it. Or auction it.

Stripping the original plate from the car will reduce the value, but if the plate is "any good", you will probably come out ahead. Having the plate on will make the car more saleable, though, especially on something "cute" like a Moggy Thou.

force_ten

you could apply to the DVLA to have the plate put on retention and the DVLA will allocate the car and age related replacement plate

if the car had BOB 123 and you put that number on retention the car will be given an age related plate that was never issued in the year of first registration could be somthing like YXX 625

what is the name on the plate and what is the format as this will give a good idea of how desirable the plate will be is it a name followed by three numbers, or three numbers followed by a name, or the least desirable will be a name three numbers followed by a letter which would be in the range A to L

BargainJunky

force_ten wrote: »

you could apply to the DVLA to have the plate put on retention and the DVLA will allocate the car and age related replacement plate

if the car had BOB 123 and you put that number on retention the car will be given an age related plate that was never issued in the year of first registration could be somthing like YXX 625

what is the name on the plate and what is the format as this will give a good idea of how desirable the plate will be is it a name followed by three numbers, or three numbers followed by a name, or the least desirable will be a name three numbers followed by a letter which would be in the range A to L

It was first registered in 1968 and has a name followed by three numbers then a letter.

Thank you for the advice everyone - there is no hurry to sell in laws just want the space back in the garage as FIL has now surrendered his licence. It was my husbands initially then his dad fully restored it - have to admit it does look stunning and was promised to my eldest son at one point.

force_ten

so it is an F or g suffix

BOB three numbers and a letter are being offered for prices between £1100.00 and £1500.00 and if it is somthing like BOB 805 S then the asking price is higher similar prices being asked for KEN three number and a letter

any number plate is only worth what somebody is willing to pay for it and you could contact the likes of reg transfer or plates for less and see what they say the value is, if it is worthwhile to you they will then try to sell the plate o your behalf for a percentage of the sale price and if you get ay interest then you could apply to take the plate off the car and sell it

as for removing the plate devaluing the car to a true collector the car is worth a bit more if it comes with its original registration number but if you do remove it then it should be allocated an age related plate so a 68 plate with the same suffix as the car has at present

BargainJunky

Thanks for all of your help it is really appreciated. I think in the end they willl leave the plate on the car and it will probably remain in the garage for another few years which is such a shame. Hubby did mutter this afternoon about taking it for a spin!

caprikid1

Use it enjoy it and don't Rob the plate from the car, its so sad when Classic cars change their names..... It changes the cars Identity and you can get some horrible plates issued that do spoil and devalue the car. You may get less for the car also so you may not make much in the end.

Richard53

caprikid1 wrote: »

Use it enjoy it and don't Rob the plate from the car, its so sad when Classic cars change their names..... It changes the cars Identity and you can get some horrible plates issued that do spoil and devalue the car. You may get less for the car also so you may not make much in the end.

Totally agree with this. Over a certain age and level of desirability, originality makes a big difference. Things like original dealer number plates, engine bay warning stickers etc can make a big difference to a serious buyer and affect the value if they are taken away. At this level, originality (in spec, paint, accessories etc) is king, and a car that has been messed around with is inevitably worth less than a 'minter'. A good Mog 1000 definitely falls into this category.