September’s DVLA auction was an online event that ran from Wednesday 2nd September to Tuesday 8th September 2026.
As always, prices quoted in this report include fees and taxes.
The event generated an eye-watering £6,759,888.
September's Top 5
The virtual gavel struck on the highest bid of £42,116 for the dateless plate, 242 A. While the buyer’s identity remains anonymous, we could guess, by platespeak standards, that they, or perhaps a loved one, might go by ‘Zara’ or, even, ‘Zaza’.
The old trick of supply and demand is at work here, with a population count of over 8,000 in the UK sharing the name; the plate’s singularity undoubtedly adds to its worth. Another obvious attraction is the consistent desirability of shorter plates, with the single letter adding to the plate’s five-figure value.
Second place went to 440 O, which sold for £32,896. The continuing popularity of ‘O’ registrations is one of the most consistent themes in DVLA auction results - an obvious desire for ambiguous-looking plates which don’t appear to adhere to the UK’s standardised number and letter registrations.
Whether the buyer has a particular significance in mind for the number or just wanted a clean-looking four-number registration, the second-highest price shows this format still has considerable economic value. Perhaps worth noting, the highest price paid for this ‘O’ series remains at £518,480, which 25 O went for in 2014.
In third place was 296 CS at £31,301. This one may have well attracted interest from Ferrari enthusiasts. The ‘296’ name is already firmly associated with the Italian series of modern hybrid sports car, while ‘CS’ translates as ‘Challenge Stradale’; a widely anticipated road-legal model of the 296 Challenge race car, allegedly making its debut this November. Clearly, the plate was a strong candidate for a bidding war amongst the prepared Ferrari fans.
At number four was 26 OD, achieving £30,992. Another creative example of platespeak, which translates to ‘2 GOD’ for the eagle-eyed. The sale also comes as the DVLA appears to have relaxed its previous censorship of registrations with religious connotations. For context, January’s release of 15 LAM commanded a staggering £192,908 earlier this year.
Joint fourth on price was VFF 1, also selling for £30,992. Nothing particularly out of the ordinary here for a three-letter number one plate to achieve a five-figure total, despite there not being an immediately obvious meaning.
Rounding out the top five was 244 AR, which sold for £28,273.
A few other honourable mentions
Continuing the ambiguous yet coveted ‘O’ series, 7007 OO achieved an impressive £18,632.
Another culturally significant number was IG 777, with its three sevens carrying spiritual significance and widely viewed as a lucky combination, totalling £13,837. Repeated numbers have persistently commanded higher figures at auction, perhaps thanks to their visually appealing symmetry.
We also liked 533 YAA, which translates to “see ya” and, to some, a rather comical message to leave behind as you drive away. Nevertheless, it was a rather expensive joke, going for £16,506.
While names were a little sparse in this auction, MA25 HAL notably sold for £14,306. Not surprising given that Marshall is an established surname, with nearly 94,000 bearing the title nationwide.
A bit of etymology for the mildly curious: the surname originated as an occupational name for someone responsible for horses, from the Old French ‘mareschal’, meaning a steward or keeper of horses. Derived from the Germanic elements meaning ‘horse’ and ‘servant’, the name was adopted into English following the Norman Conquest, and has since evolved into the familiar one we know today.
While on the topic, H80 RSE, which at immediate glance reads as ‘horse’, secured £17,644. Despite not necessarily being a perfect spelling, it demonstrates that even imperfect words or names can indeed fetch very good, and in this case, five-figure digits.
To track the market's unprecedented growth, including even the profitable imperfect names, head over to our Private Number Plate Market Report, where we actively monitor trends.
September’s DVLA online auction comprised 2,000 lots, 1,980 of which were sold and 20 unsold. Purchasers spent a total of £6,759,888.
That's it from us. We’ll see you on Wednesday 21st October to discuss the next one.
Top 50 Sales
| Plate | Price * |
|---|---|
| 242 A | £42,116 |
| 440 O | £32,896 |
| 296 CS | £31,301 |
| 26 OD | £30,992 |
| VFF 1 | £30,992 |
| 244 AR | £28,273 |
| 1 OJO | £25,060 |
| 180 M | £24,812 |
| 99 SV | £23,947 |
| 2222 L | £23,329 |
| 9 KSK | £22,427 |
| AAD 4L | £21,092 |
| 6 PHL | £20,709 |
| 2009 J | £20,103 |
| 241 NSS | £19,868 |
| 212 PM | £19,868 |
| 6 WAS | £19,868 |
| 90 VD | £19,016 |
| CSK 7 | £19,003 |
| DAY 4A | £19,003 |
| 1 OVO | £18,694 |
| IMZ 4 | £18,632 |
| 7007 OO | £18,632 |
| 81 ANE | £18,533 |
| H80 RSE | £17,644 |
| 998 A | £17,396 |
| P15 STA | £17,396 |
| ROM 5N | £17,396 |
| 7 WEB | £17,149 |
| TAY 3B | £16,877 |
| 17 CX | £16,778 |
| MAF 71A | £16,778 |
| TUR 1K | £16,778 |
| 533 YAA | £16,506 |
| 1 NXD | £16,247 |
| HMZ 8 | £16,160 |
| 9 VSD | £16,160 |
| 410 T | £16,037 |
| 160 H | £15,740 |
| CHB 45H | £15,542 |
| AJJ 4Y | £15,530 |
| 76 JSJ | £15,295 |
| 7 MHD | £15,258 |
| 84 XX | £15,258 |
| 245 C | £15,110 |
| 6 WDM | £15,097 |
| 3 WST | £15,048 |
| 3 VRK | £15,036 |
| 421 N | £14,924 |
| 23 SAS | £14,924 |
* Prices include fees and taxes.
The stats
September’s DVLA online auction comprised 2,000 lots, 1,980 of which were sold and 20 unsold. Purchasers spent a total of £6,759,888.
The next DVLA online auction will run from Wednesday 14th October to Tuesday 20th October 2026.
The Regtransfers auction
Buy and sell with our number plate auction. You can see what is coming soon or jump in to the listings.
DVLA Auction July 2026
Learn more about personal number plates that sold for great prices in the DVLA's previous auction.
