Big Spenders!

The values of top quality number plates are growing, worldwide. With each year that passes, international records for the highest prices paid are being shattered. As you can see from the video on this page, people are already paying millions of pounds for a single registration in some parts of the world. The UK is a little more cautious, but outstanding examples can command prices in excess of a quarter of a million pounds.

Spending a few hundred pounds on a personalised number plate is something most people are quite comfortable with. The increasing number of private registrations sold in the UK each year demonstrates that. It isn’t very surprising, as a good registration can do more to personalise a vehicle than any other change. A flashy spoiler or custom paint job may be eye-catching, but no one can guarantee it will be unique. With a private registration, that is exactly what is guaranteed – uniqueness, forever.

It is, perhaps, harder for some people to understand why owners willingly pay many thousands of pounds for their ultimate personalised number plates. While there is still a fun aspect, even to the most expensive and sought-after registrations, many owners also have very serious reasons for their purchases. In fact, “investments” is probably a more appropriate word to use in these cases.

The factors that dictate the value of a registration number are many and varied. With initials, it is mostly the number of people who have those particular initials. If that number is large, then the potential demand is considerable and that can make some “initials” plates fairly valuable. With names and words, the value comes from a combination of potential demand and the quality of the number from a visual point of view. With “number 1” plates, the value is due to exclusivity and prestige.

An increasing number of sharp-eyed buyers have the knack of spotting those number plates with the most potential. They purchase them speculatively, with the intention of selling later at a profit. And it really is a serious investment, in just the same way as investment in stocks and shares, or in art. Former Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson is famously quoted as saying that a good personal registration could be “better than money in the bank”.

Furthermore, there is an emerging market in private number plates for marketing, PR and branding in business. Sir Alan Sugar and Dragons’ Den moguls Duncan Bannatyne, and Theo Paphitis all recognise the usefulness of private plates when it comes to building and reinforcing an image. Sir Alan’s AMS 1 plate featured prominently in the opening sequence of The Apprentice. Paphitis, who is famous for his association with Ryman and La Senza, has a particular eye for the branding potential of plates. He owns RYM 4N and LA53 NZA.

Auction Prices Paid for UK Personal Number Plates

Please scroll down the table to see the full list.