Regtransfers Review
The UK's largest independent number plate dealer. Est. 1982. 60M+ plates. 4.9/5 Trustpilot.
1982
Established
60M+
Plates
4.9/5
Trustpilot
19,500+
Reviews
100+
Staff
Overview
Registration Transfers Ltd (trading as Regtransfers) is the UK's largest independent personalised number plate dealer. Founded in 1982 by Tony Brown in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, the company has grown from a one-man leafleting operation into a team of over 100 staff serving more than one million customers.
They offer access to over 60 million DVLA registrations plus their own exclusive private stock. What sets them apart is their end-to-end service: search, purchase, and DVLA transfer all handled under one roof. They're also one of the few dealers that attend every DVLA auction, offering a professional bidding service.
Regtransfers is a DVLA-registered supplier and a member of MIRAD (the Institute of Registration Agents & Dealers) and the CNDA (Cherished Numbers Dealers Association).
Pricing & Fees Breakdown
What you'll actually pay — no surprises
| Fee | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DVLA Government Stock (starting price) | ~£250 | DVLA minimum. The £80 DVLA transfer fee is charged on top. |
| DVLA £80 transfer fee | £80 | Government fee. Charged on top of the advertised plate price. |
| Dealer markup (private plates) | ~20% | Added to the seller's agreed price. The buyer pays the markup; the seller receives their full amount. |
| Transfer handling | Included | Full DVLA transfer paperwork managed as part of the purchase. |
| DVLA auction bidding service | 10% of hammer | Only if they win. Plus DVLA auction costs: 3% buyer's premium, 20% VAT, and £80 fee. |
| Own auction — listing fee (sellers) | From £10 + VAT | Tiered by reserve price. Selling fee (~10%) deducted from proceeds. |
| Own auction — Buy It Now (sellers) | £5 + VAT | Optional add-on to allow instant purchase at a set price. |
| Selling via standard brokerage | Free to seller | Seller agrees their price; Regtransfers adds their margin on top for the buyer. |
| Physical number plates | Not supplied | You'll need to order acrylic plates separately from a registered supplier. |
| Retention certificate | £80 (DVLA fee) | No evidence of additional handling charge beyond the DVLA's own fee. |
Example total cost: A private plate listed at £2,000 on Regtransfers likely includes a ~20% dealer margin, meaning the seller receives ~£1,670. You'll then pay an additional £80 DVLA transfer fee. Total: £2,080.
Pros & Cons
What We Like
- 40+ years of experience — the most established dealer in the UK
- Outstanding Trustpilot rating: 4.9/5 from 19,500+ verified reviews
- DVLA auction bidding service — they attend every auction in person
- Transfer handling included in the purchase price (no extra fee)
- DVLA-registered, MIRAD and CNDA member — maximum industry credentials
- Massive stock: 60M+ DVLA plates plus exclusive private inventory
- 'Make Your Own' plate builder for visual previewing
- Seller-friendly model: no commission deducted from seller's price
Room for Improvement
- No finance or buy-now-pay-later options available at all
- ~20% markup on private plates — higher than some competitors
- Physical plates not supplied — must be ordered separately elsewhere
- £80 DVLA fee charged on top of listed price (not always obvious)
- Website design feels dated compared to newer competitors
- DVLA auction bidding charges 10% commission on the hammer price
- No cancellation rights once ordered (personalised goods exemption)
- Phone support Mon–Sat only (no Sunday or evening availability)
Services
Buy Number Plates
Search 60M+ registrations — DVLA stock and exclusive private plates. Filter by format, price, and style. Online checkout.
Sell Your Plate
Free valuation, no upfront fees. They add their margin on top of your agreed price. You receive your full amount when it sells.
DVLA Auction Bidding
Their staff attend every DVLA auction. They bid on your behalf for 10% of the hammer price. Only pay if they win.
Transfer Handling
Full DVLA transfer management included in the purchase. They handle all paperwork from purchase to your vehicle's V5C update.
Online Auctions
Their own 24/7 auction platform. Sellers pay listing fees from £10+VAT plus a selling fee. No buyer fees.
Make Your Own
Visual plate builder to select specific letters/numbers and preview how the plate looks before committing to buy.
Our Verdict
Regtransfers is the safe, established choice. If you want a dealer with maximum credibility, a proven 40-year track record, and the largest independent stock in the UK, this is where most people end up — and their Trustpilot rating backs that up.
Their DVLA auction bidding service is a genuine differentiator that almost no other dealer offers. If you're targeting a specific plate at a DVLA auction and don't want to attend, Regtransfers is the obvious choice.
The main trade-offs are cost and modernity. Their ~20% markup model means you're paying a premium for the brand and service. No finance options means higher-value plates are cash-only. And the lack of physical plate supply means an extra step after purchase.
Best for: buyers who prioritise trust, experience, and hands-off service over absolute lowest price. Also the best choice for DVLA auction bidding.
Key Information
| Legal name | Registration Transfers Ltd |
| Trading as | Regtransfers |
| Website | regtransfers.co.uk |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Location | 139 High Street South, Dunstable, Bedfordshire |
| Phone | 01582 967777 |
| Employees | 100+ |
| Customers served | 1,000,000+ |
| DVLA registered | Yes — listed on DVLA dealers page |
| MIRAD member | Yes |
| CNDA member | Yes |
| Finance | Not available |
| Trustpilot | 4.9/5 (19,500+ reviews) |
Information verified March 2026. Subject to change.