Registration plates are cancelled when the vehicle they are assigned to is scrapped, this includes any car that is destroyed or broken up for spares. It is not possible to transfer the registration plate from a scrapped vehicle. The people responsible for scrapping the vehicle have a responsibility to inform the DVLA and must return the V5 registration document relating to the vehicle.

With regards to vehicles that are written off, something that happens when a vehicle is damaged beyond economic repair, the insurance company agree to pay a sum to the owner of the vehicle and ownership passes to the insurance company. It is then the decision of the company whether they choose to scrap the vehicle or sell it on to someone who may choose to pay the money for the repairs. If you wish to retain the registration number of a written off vehicle, you would have to transfer it to another vehicle or obtain a retention certificate. If you do not take these steps you likely lose the registration plate.

Another consideration is stolen vehicles, which are never recovered. If you find yourself in this situation, you may be able to have the registration number re-assigned as long as the theft was reported to the police and the DVLA have had a record of the incident for at least 12 months. The stolen vehicle must also have had a valid MOT certificate, if applicable and tax disc, at the time of the theft. You will also need permission from your insurance company, since they would have the rightful ownership of the vehicle if it were to be recovered.