‘The shortest number plates belong to the people with the longest bank statements.’
The DVLA’s latest banned plates list is out, proving once again that some people will do anything to get a cheeky registration.
But while some plates get banned, others fetch eye-watering sums at auction. Take ’25 O’ – sold for £518,000 – or ‘F1,’ now valued at over £10 million.
Want to know why cherished plates are the hidden gems of investment? Read on!
- A Market Fuelled by Prestige and Profit
- February 2025 – DVLA cracks down on inappropriate plates for the ’25’ reg.
Yet, the right plate? It can be worth more than the car it’s attached to.
Cherished plates have become status symbols, personal branding tools, and financial assets.
Auction Results & Record-Breaking Sales
- ’25 O’ – £518,000 (bought for a Ferrari 250 GTO).
- ‘F1’ – Sold for £440,000 in 2008, now valued at over £10 million.
- ‘VIP 1’ – £285,000 (once on the Pope’s car!).
Why They’re So Valuable
- Limited supply – Each plate is one of a kind.
- Cultural & historical significance: Some plates are linked to royalty, celebrities, or luxury cars.
- Tax-free investment – No capital gains tax in the UK.
- Prestige & exclusivity – A short, dateless plate screams wealth and power.
The Future of Private Plates
As auctions continue to break records, cherished plates are proving to be better than gold – and a lot more fun to own. Fancy a plate that pays for itself? Better start bidding!
‘A single-digit plate on a Rolls-Royce is the motoring equivalent of a Rolex that shouts the time.’
