The trouble here is that the DVLA will ONLY accept an entire V5 document for transferring a registration plate - any section of it missing is, apparently, unacceptable. Likewise, if you sell the car before transfer is complete, you can lose the plate. They seem to make life as difficult for you as possible. I found this thread looking for the V991 online (strangely enough, it's not available online). I have a similar problem - bought a car for parts, with no tax on it, it was never on the road, and I was never asked to declare it SORN - yet somehow I'm liable for a 'penalty' for it... yeah, right.