Currently looking at getting an Octavia VRS TDI estate. However, went to have a look at one today; ex-company car with full service history, decent price and is very local which makes a change, so it seems perfect...

... but I did a quick free registration check this evening, and it came back saying it was a BMW!?!?!

It's a private plate, so could this simply mean the previous owner transferred it recently and the garage hasn't been informed? Or should I be running away and never looking back?

I would ask the garage, and depending on what they say be prepared to walk away.

I would ask the garage, and depending on what they say be prepared to walk away.

Agree. Does look look potentially very dodgey, but it could as you say garage has not changed the private plate yet, would have thought they would have said he plate wasn't going with it though.

The database does seem very slow to update for personalised number plates.

I think last time it took about a month (after receiving my logbook)for things to update.

Ask the dealer.

sent from my dribble bus using ketchup !

Went to visit car today and it had different plates. The correct ones this time! He had been waiting for them to come through apparently.

At least the panic's over now and I can decide whether to hand over my hard earned cash or not!

Thanks for the quick responses

Perfectly normal.

I transferred my private plate off my BMW onto my Octavia back in 2008.

When searching for insurance, paying the congestion charge etc. it still comes up as a BMW - three years later!

This is pretty common tbh, obviously needs checking out, hardly a "red alert" though.