TopReg Review
A modern, family-run dealer with 75M+ plates, Klarna finance, and in-house plate manufacturing.
2020
Established
75M+
Plates
4.8/5
Trustpilot
2,500+
Reviews
Klarna
Finance
Overview
Top Reg Limited (trading as TopReg) is a relatively new entrant to the UK personalised plate market, incorporated in October 2020. Despite its youth, the company has quickly built a strong reputation with over 2,500 Trustpilot reviews and a 4.8/5 rating — impressive growth for a company less than six years old.
Founded by John Barnes and run alongside his children Demi and Liam from their base in Warlingham, Surrey, TopReg positions itself as a modern alternative to established incumbents. Their stated mission is to “shake up the UK private plate industry.”
What makes TopReg unusual is their breadth: they don't just sell registrations — they manufacture physical plates in-house, offer a dedicated Fast Track transfer service, and provide Klarna finance. This makes them one of the few genuine one-stop-shops where you can find a plate, buy it, have the transfer handled, and get your physical plates made — all from one company.
Pricing & Fees Breakdown
What you'll actually pay — no surprises
| Fee | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest plates | From £49 | Current-style registrations. Budget options available under £200. |
| DVLA £80 transfer fee | £80 | Included at point of purchase — not charged again when you assign. |
| Dealer commission | Small % | Added to seller's price (buyer pays). Exact % not publicly disclosed — described as 'small'. |
| Fast Track Transfer Service | £59.99 | Full DVLA paperwork handling. 98% of customers use this. Promotional price sometimes £25.99. |
| Standard transfer (self-service) | Free | You handle the DVLA paperwork yourself. Guidance provided. |
| Physical plates — standard acrylic | Available at checkout | In-house manufactured. Next business day delivery. Prices shown during order. |
| Physical plates — 3D Gel | Available at checkout | Raised polyurethane resin characters. In-house printed. |
| Physical plates — 4D | Available at checkout | Laser-cut solid acrylic characters. Premium finish. In-house. |
| Klarna finance | From £22/month | Available on £50–£5,000. Split over 6, 12, or 24 months. Representative 21.9% APR. |
| Selling your plate | Free to list | No upfront fees. Commission added on top of your asking price — buyer pays it. |
| DVLA auction plates | 10% of value | Plates acquired at DVLA auctions resold with 10% commission on the registration value. |
| Retention certificate | £80 (DVLA fee) | Handled as part of the Fast Track service (£59.99 or included in promo pricing). |
Example total cost: A plate listed at £500 + £80 DVLA fee + £59.99 Fast Track transfer = £639.99. With Klarna over 12 months that's roughly £53/month. If you handle the transfer yourself, total drops to £580.
Pros & Cons
What We Like
- Largest searchable database: 75M+ registrations
- Genuine one-stop-shop: registration + transfer + physical plates
- Klarna 0% finance on purchases £50–£5,000 (FCA regulated)
- In-house plate manufacturing: acrylic, 3D Gel, and 4D — next-day delivery
- Fast Track transfer: plates on your car in days, not weeks
- Very competitive starting price: plates from just £49
- Strong Trustpilot: 4.8/5 from 2,500+ reviews despite being young
- Free to list if you're selling a plate
Room for Improvement
- Very young company (founded Oct 2020) — limited long-term track record
- £59.99 Fast Track fee on top of plate price — most established dealers include transfer
- Not a member of MIRAD, CNDA, or any industry association
- Exact commission rate not publicly disclosed — only described as 'small'
- Phone support Mon–Fri 9am–5pm only (no weekends, no evenings)
- No DVLA auction bidding service
- Klarna representative APR is 21.9% — not truly 0% over longer terms
- Physical plate prices only shown at checkout (not listed upfront)
Services
Buy Number Plates
Search 75M+ registrations — one of the UK's largest databases. Covers DVLA stock, private sellers, and auction plates.
Physical Plate Manufacturing
Acrylic, 3D Gel, and 4D plates printed in-house on specialist equipment. Next business day delivery. Not outsourced.
Fast Track Transfer
£59.99 premium service — they handle all DVLA paperwork end-to-end. 98% of customers use it. Plates on your car in days.
Klarna Finance
Spread the cost over 6, 12, or 24 months on purchases between £50 and £5,000. FCA-authorised. Available at checkout.
Sell Your Plate
Free listing. No upfront costs. Their commission is added to your price (buyer pays). They handle enquiries and marketing.
Retention Service
Help with retaining your registration on a DVLA certificate. Handled as part of the Fast Track service.
Our Verdict
TopReg punches above its weight. For a company founded in 2020, they've built an impressively complete operation. The combination of a massive plate database, in-house plate manufacturing, Klarna finance, and a dedicated transfer service makes them one of the most feature-rich dealers in the market.
The biggest draw is the one-stop-shop experience. You can search, buy, finance, get the transfer handled, and have physical plates manufactured — all from TopReg. That level of convenience is rare. Their starting price of £49 also makes them one of the most accessible dealers for first-time buyers.
The trade-offs are youth and transparency. They don't have decades of heritage, they're not members of any industry bodies, and their commission and physical plate pricing aren't fully transparent upfront. The £59.99 Fast Track fee is also worth noting — competitors like Regtransfers include transfer handling in the purchase price.
Best for: buyers who want a modern, convenient experience with finance options and physical plates included. Especially good for first-time buyers and those who want everything handled in one place.
Key Information
| Legal name | Top Reg Limited |
| Trading as | TopReg |
| Website | topreg.co.uk |
| Founded | October 2020 |
| Company number | 12948187 (Companies House) |
| Registered address | 1 Beauchamp Court, 10 Victors Way, Barnet, EN5 5TZ |
| Operational address | Units 1-3, Court Farm, Warlingham, CR6 9AT |
| Phone | 03303 904222 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm) |
| DVLA registered | Yes (RNPS — Registered Number Plate Supplier) |
| FCA registered | Yes (authorised credit broker for Klarna) |
| Industry memberships | None listed |
| Finance | Klarna: £50–£5,000 over 6/12/24 months |
| Trustpilot | 4.8/5 (2,500+ reviews) |
Information verified March 2026. Subject to change.