VIN & V5C
Vehicle registration mark (VRM)
Also known as: number plate, registration plate
The vehicle's number plate, allocated by the DVLA and retained on the vehicle unless legally transferred.
VRMs are issued to a vehicle, not to a person. A change of keeper does not change the VRM. Private plates can be retained on transfer using the V317 form and a fee, or held on a V778 retention document for up to ten years.
Cherished transfers are recorded on the DVLA system and visible on the vehicle's history. A car whose plate has changed multiple times in a short window deserves scrutiny.