Original registration question - any ideas?

[Angrydicky]

I've been thinking about this for a while, just wondered if anyone can help me...

 

My Austin Cambridge currently has the registration VSK 997. A look through the history file shows it's the third registration which has been on, in 1992 it was changed from AJN 41A to VSK 997. There is a tax disc application form from 1984 showing the original registration which was PJN 656.

 

Now I have searched for this number on the internet and I can't find what's happened to it, it doesn't appear to be registered on any car at the moment. My suspicion is it was transferred off the car but the owner didn't keep up the retention payments. So if it turns out to still be "available", would it be possible to get it back on the Cambridge on a non-transferable basis?

 

I'm currently in the process of trying to find out from the DVLA what happened to the original plate.

[eddyramrod]

My dad had 1108 ED on a Ford van, which he intended to repair but never did, and eventually it was sold as a dog kennel. I kept the front number plate, and indeed still have it, as not only am I Edward, but so was he! I did ask DVLA some time ago about reclaiming this number, because I wanted to put it on one of my American cars. Because the van was last used before 1974, it didn't appear in their records, so they were unable to issue it to me. It didn't help that I couldn't show a certificate of destruction, photos of the van being carted away, or anything else to back up my claim. I do wish you luck with yours, but don't hold your breath...

[Angrydicky]

To be fair Eddy that is a bit different, what your dad was trying to do was remove the registration number from a car that had no MOT and he didn't own anymore.

[eddyramrod]

It is a bit different, yes; except he'd died by then and it was me trying to resurrect the number. I knew it was a long shot when I started, but it was worth a try. I posted the story simply to illustrate DVLA's attitude; they are not that keen to dig up/out old numbers. Having said all that, I do hope you are able to reclaim yours, that would be the finishing touch.

[Angrydicky]

It is a bit different, yes; except he'd died by then and it was me trying to resurrect the number. I knew it was a long shot when I started, but it was worth a try. I posted the story simply to illustrate DVLA's attitude; they are not that keen to dig up/out old numbers. Having said all that, I do hope you are able to reclaim yours, that would be the finishing touch.

Sadly that is the impression I've had of them. Thanks Eddy

[Alexg]

So from how I understand it - PJN 656 was the original plate (although a private plate) When this was removed an age related plate was added - AJN 41A. A private plate was added again later in life and is the current reg - VSK 997. The plate you want to retrieve is PJN 656? - if this plate was removed it's most likely been put on another car and, baring in mind it's not a great plate, I bet been scraped with another car.

 

If this is the case I expect retrieving will be impossible. I'll do an HPI at work tomorrow and see what can be found out.

[Vin]

Once upon a time, when a car was plate raped it usually got one of the vast stock of unused 1963 'A' plates, no matter how old it was.

 

After a lot of pressure from car clubs and the classic car press in the early 1990s, this was changed to issuing from the stock of unused 'non age related' plates, usually from the sparsely populated areas of Wales and Scotland.

 

You could then apply to have a previously issued A plate changed, which in Angry Dicky's case, appears to have happened in 1992.

 

The loss of the number may also be around the time of the DVLA, or DVLC as it would have been then were transferring all the records to computer. If it was untaxed the number wouldn't be recognised. There was a deadline date that owners had to get the details of untaxed vehicles to the DVLA or the numbers wouldn't be transferred over.

[Angrydicky]

So from how I understand it - PJN 656 was the original plate (although a private plate) When this was removed an age related plate was added - AJN 41A. A private plate was added again later in life and is the current reg - VSK 997. The plate you want to retrieve is PJN 656? - if this plate was removed it's most likely been put on another car and, baring in mind it's not a great plate, I bet been scraped with another car.

 

If this is the case I expect retrieving will be impossible. I'll do an HPI at work tomorrow and see what can be found out.

Kind of. The original registration was PJN 656, AJN 41A is an A plate which was put on pre-1963 cars when the number was sold before age-related plates were introduced in the mid 80's. This was swapped for an age related plate (VSK) in 1992.

 

Sadly I think you are probably correct Alex. It would be great if you could find anything out though.

[nigel bickle]

I've an early Fiat1100d (1954) that got plate raped and an 'A'plate issued inthe 90's.

 

Its now nearing roadworthiness -but they wont change to an age related until I tax it for the first time.

They are even talking about requiring 'proof of age''-despite it clearly stating on their V5 that it was at least3 years old at first UK registration (1960) and a copy of the old buff logbook microfiched on their file!

 

So-I have to get A plates made, MOT & tax, then apply for a better plate -needing yet another set of plates.

 

I also asked for the original plate back -but there seems no chance of that whatsoever.

Despite being 'dead' on the system for years - the previous registered keeper may re-enact it (-perhaps restoring the car) -so I've no legal claim.

 

 

Makes me recall a tug by a motorcycle rozzer about 25 years back -in my old split screen Minor- ''RKK 444''.

 

He then did a vehicle check at the roadside and 3 vehicles with the same reg number came back- mine, a Sunbeam Rapier (I couldnt hear the third)

When I queried -he told me it happened quite often -duplicated numbers issued by different authorities.

 

What I'd love to find both those vehicles-enabling me to legally drive 2 cars with the same plate....

[Pillock]

I did read that at one point, the motorcycle and car systems weren't linked so the same plates were issued twice, once to a two-wheeler and once to a four. This tallies up with a guy in an old AutoExpress who had been driving round in a classic car (70s reg from memory) and saw a bike with the same plate, which he flagged down and bought.

[Justin Case]

I did read that at one point, the motorcycle and car systems weren't linked so the same plates were issued twice, once to a two-wheeler and once to a four.

That rang a bell So I checked and up to 1920 councils could use their own systems, so that could happen easily. The other system was a leading zero for two-wheelers (I recently saw an old bike at a steam fair with a number like FK 012, which is what rang the bell (there was a note on the bike saying Worcestershire used a different system for bikes))

[Alexg]

So from how I understand it - PJN 656 was the original plate (although a private plate) When this was removed an age related plate was added - AJN 41A. A private plate was added again later in life and is the current reg - VSK 997. The plate you want to retrieve is PJN 656? - if this plate was removed it's most likely been put on another car and, baring in mind it's not a great plate, I bet been scraped with another car.

If this is the case I expect retrieving will be impossible. I'll do an HPI at work tomorrow and see what can be found out.

Kind of. The original registration was PJN 656, AJN 41A is an A plate which was put on pre-1963 cars when the number was sold before age-related plates were introduced in the mid 80's. This was swapped for an age related plate (VSK) in 1992.

 

Sadly I think you are probably correct Alex. It would be great if you could find anything out though.

I've HPIed the two previous plates, these have no trace. The current plate when HPIed obviously brings up your car, but there is no mention of any previous plates on it as there should be (although this maybe because they were so long ago). Good luck!

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

One easy way to tell if an old car's been plate raped is if it has a northern Scottish identifier. Your SK is Sutherland, AS is another common one - that's Inverness.

[Richard]

I would fill in a V5 application form using the original registration number, and keep arguing with them until they give up.

[Angrydicky]

 

I've HPIed the two previous plates, these have no trace. The current plate when HPIed obviously brings up your car, but there is no mention of any previous plates on it as there should be (although this maybe because they were so long ago). Good luck!

Thanks for checking that for me Alex I've sent a £5 cheque to the DVLA asking for details of previous owners (about a month ago actually) so when that finally comes back I can begin to trace its history and who knows what might turn up

 

I'll keep you posted.

[Angrydicky]

Just thought I'd bump this up.

 

I got the paperwork through from DVLA a few months back but disappointingly it seemed to be mixed up with the paperwork for another car - and nothing pre-1989. It did show up a couple of previous owners I didn't know about though.

 

Yesterday I sent an email to the DVLA asking if the original registration was available, and today received a response saying the number was on retention - which would explain why it didn't show up on online vehicle checks or HPI.

 

Any ideas of how to track the owner down?

[Pillock]

You can apply for the details of the owner of a registration, but you must have a legal need - you own a carpark and they owe you money, or you're a clamper who lifted the car etc. I'm not sure if just wanting to buy the reg is a good enough need otherwise they'd get all sorts of weird requests. You just write off to the DVLA. I'm not sure with all the clampdown on clampers (arf) that they didn't change it so you need to be registered with the doovla beforehand.....

 

"Hello, could you tell me who owns FY54 NWX, she's a complete hottie and I want to stalk her"

[Angrydicky]

It's definitely not been for sale recently. The only PJN plate I can find is PJN 91 (£3250!)

 

I emailed the DVLA with this question, and received a response yesterday.

 

"Dear Mr Dicky,

 

Thank you for your email dated 17/1/2011.

 

You can make an application to assitain the owners details in the same way as you applied before for information. You will need to submit your request on form V888 which is available from www.direct.gov.uk/motoringforms and send to:

 

Vehicle Record Enquiries

DVLA

Swansea

SA99 1AJ"