take a car on SORN, no MOT, registered in my name

can you put the plate on retention as is?

I've got it in my head that an MOT is required, although there is no logic to this

 

Yep the car needs an MOT to put the plate on retention.
Go figure ?

 

If the vehicle is old enough to require an MOT then yes.

 

how odd

so if doesn't have the MOT, it stays in my name, but I can't retain/transfer it?

 

Unless the car is sold or scrapped, then you lose the plate

I have heard this is to avoid someone finding a rusted out shed with a nice number plate, re-registering the car just to get hold of the plate.

Then there are certain plates that cannot be transferred like 1AN on a Morris Minor.

 

what about if its written off? If my M3 gets written off I want to take M3 APV with me - I guess there must be exeptions for such things?

 

Andy, your M3 will still have a valid MOT, so you just need to fill the paperwork in to transfer the plate.

IIRC you do need an MOT to move a plate for the reasons mentioned above. Pete - is the car MOT'able?

 

Related question... is it possible to buy a plate from the DVLA and put it straight on rentetion?

I think I can make some money on a particular plate and want to make a speculative purchase without putting it on a car?

 

Yep you can - I know a chap who has lots of 55 plates that he bought for the same reason...

 

I wanted to transfer MOO 139 from my husband's TR4, which he bought new in 1962 and has not been roadworthy for some time, to my S.

When I made preliminary enquires I was told that I had lost the chance because we hadn't declared SORN. I have since been advised that beacuse of the age of the vehicle SORN does not apply but that the TR must have an MOT if we wish to transfer the plate.

I think I'd better think it out again, don't think it's worth the considerable cost of getting an MOT for the poor rusting hulk of the TR just to badge myself as a silly moo!