Sales of personalised car number plates have more than doubled over the past ten years, according to new figures released by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The data, obtained by the BBC, reveals more than 1.2 million transactions in 2024, up from about 500,000 in 2014.
This surge is fuelled by two primary sources: plates bought directly from the DVLA—some of which can cost under £50—and those traded privately, where sought-after combinations can fetch hundreds of thousands of pounds. Industry experts say private plates are increasingly viewed as investments, with a notable rise in registrations never even making it onto a vehicle before being resold.
In the last financial year, the DVLA raised £276 million for the government through personalised registrations. The agency keeps a watchful eye on market trends and releases attractive combinations to maximise revenue. However, it withholds any combinations deemed potentially offensive or in poor taste.
Meanwhile, second-hand registration plates change hands through private auctions, online dealers and social media groups. The number of transactions for plates already in circulation has almost tripled since 2014, reaching around 800,000 in 2024. That figure includes sales and any official changes to ownership details, such as name or address updates.
Rob Nicholls, a finance director from Exeter, has snapped up a few plates in recent months, selling some on at a profit without ever fitting them to a vehicle. “They do seem to be increasingly popular,” he told BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours. “Is there a value? Yes. Can it increase in value? Yes. I’m probably going to buy more because it’s an interesting, tangible asset.”
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