Quote:
I do still think you can transfer it.


Unless legislation has changed recently, all you need to do is:

1. Find the current owner. It's possible that it's on a scrapped car -- I don't know what to do in this instance.
2. Persuade them to part with it. Money might be required for this part.
3. Fill in the forms and post the fee to the DVLA.

It used to be the case that you could simply buy the car with the plate you wanted, swap the plates with the plates on your existing car and then fill in the forms.

There are caveats: you're not allowed (IIRC) to put a plate on a car where the year on the plates is newer than the year of the car. The other way round is fine, though.
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-- roger