How do you find a cheap private number plate for your car? If you don’t have a huge budget, or you simply want to disguise the age of your car, then a cheap private number plate is just the answer. You don’t have to spend a small fortune. But where do you start?

Is there such a thing as a cheap private number plate for your car? And if there is, where do you get one? And what options are there? How do you go about getting a private number plate if you don’t want to take out a mortgage to do it? And what types of number plates can you get?

Many of us would love a private number plate. But not all budgets stretch into £1000’s. So does that mean you can’t have one if you just want to spend a few hundred pounds? If budget is limited, or you just want to spend a small amount simply to hide the age of your car, a cheap private number plate is the answer. So where do you start? The good news is that it is possible to buy a cheap private number plate without breaking the bank.

The first choice is Irish number plates. There are lots of them available, which keeps prices low. Particularly registration numbers with 4 digits, which can start from less than £100 (excluding vat & DVLA fees). And because these number plates don’t have a year identifier, they can be assigned to any vehicle. Expect to pay a little more, though, if you’re looking to reflect a word or name (like BIG or GIL) or for special digits.

If Irish number plates don’t appeal, prefix style and current style number plates are good alternatives. Have your initials on a private number plates from as little as around £150. These number plates carry a year identifier, so remember there are limitations as to the age of the car you’re assigning them to.

3 tips to help you get a cheap private number plate for your car:

Hunt around for the best prices
Number plate prices can vary considerably. Use a number plate price comparison service to save yourself hours of searching, and to keep track of number plates you like.

Buy from a private seller
If possible, buy your number plate from a private seller, for the cheapest prices. There’s no vat or dealer commission fee to inflate the price.

Negotiate
Make an offer. Take care to make a sensible offer, if you want to be taken seriously. Or you may alienate the seller.

When you’re hunting around, you’ll find a lot of cheap private number plates advertised, advocating the use of black tape, strategically placed screws, or distorted letters to create a name or word. Our advice – don’t do it. It’s not legal. You risk being stopped by the police, and given a fixed penalty notice. The offense even carries a potential fine of up to £1000.

One last thing about cheap private car number plates. There are lots of them. And that’s why they’re cheap – which works in your favor. If you do decide to part company with yours, though, it’s likely to take some time to sell because buyers have lots of choice. And, on the whole, you’re unlikely to see a profit.

If you’re after a cheap private number plate for your car, you’ll find lots of choice. Though be pragmatic about the choice, and its resale value.