Private registration plates in the UK aren’t just cosmetic — for some, they’ve become investment pieces and collector’s items worth enormous sums at auction. While most plates trade for modest prices, a handful have sold for hundreds of thousands — even over half a million pounds. Below we break down the top 10 most expensive UK number plates sold, based on verified auction results.

What Makes a Number Plate Valuable?

Before we dive into the list, here’s why certain plates attract huge prices:

• Short combinations: Plates with fewer characters are extremely rare and more desirable.
• Memorable patterns: Combinations that resemble initials or meaningful phrases can appeal to buyers.
• Historical appeal: Some plates have provenance, increasing demand among collectors.
• Investment potential: Rare plates often retain or grow in value over time.

Top 10 Most Expensive UK Number Plates Sold

Below are the top UK plates recorded at auction or publicly disclosed private sales (ranked by price paid):

1) 1 F – £926,000

Auction: Sotheby’s London Motor Week
Location: London, UK
Date: November 2025
Price: £926,000 including fees and VAT

The registration 1 F currently holds the record as the most expensive UK number plate ever sold. Originally issued in 1957, it was offered as part of Sotheby’s London Motor Week sale. The final figure of £926,000 includes all auction fees, setting a new benchmark for the UK private registration market.

2) JB 1 – £608,600

Auction: Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale (Bonhams)
Location: West Sussex, UK
Date: July 2025
Price: £608,600 including fees and VAT

The registration JB 1 currently holds the record as the most expensive number plate sold at the Goodwood Festival of Speed auction. Originally part of the highly sought-after 1×2 series, it sold for £608,600 including all buyer’s fees, highlighting the strong demand for short, recognisable UK registrations.

3) 25 O – £518,480

Auction: DVLA Auction
Location: Warwickshire, UK
Date: November 2014
Price: £518,480 including fees and VAT

The registration 25 O sold for £518,480 at a DVLA auction in November 2014, making it the most expensive UK number plate at the time. It gained extra attention because it was showcased on a rare Ferrari 250 GT, cementing its status as a highly desirable collector’s registration and the final figure includes all buyer’s fees and VAT.

4) X 1 – £502,676

Auction: DVLA Auction
Location: UK
Date: November 2012
Price: £502,676 including fees and VAT

The registration X 1 sold for £502,676 at a DVLA auction in November 2012, making it one of the priciest UK plates ever recorded. Originally created in 1903, it’s considered one of the oldest private registrations still in use, and later records show it being assigned to a modern Mercedes, illustrating its enduring appeal among collectors.

5) G 1 – £500,126

Auction: DVLA Auction
Location: UK
Date: September 2011
Price: £500,126 including fees and VAT

The registration G 1 sold for £500,126 at a DVLA auction in September 2011, making it the most expensive UK number plate at the time. For a period it held the national record before X 1 overtook it. Later DVLA records show the plate has been used on high‑end vehicles like a V8 Land Rover Defender, reflecting its enduring appeal.

6) RR 1 – £472,000

Auction: Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale
Location: West Sussex, UK
Date: September 2018
Price: £472,000 including fees and VAT

The registration RR 1 sold for £472,000 at the Goodwood Revival auction in September 2018, making it one of the most valuable UK number plates. First issued in 1925, it was previously sold for under £5,000 in the late 1960s, illustrating how dramatically rare 1×2 registrations can appreciate over decades.

7) F 1 – £440,625

Auction: DVLA Auction
Location: UK
Date: January 2008
Price: £440,625 including fees and VAT

The registration F 1 sold for £440,625 at a UK auction in January 2008, making it one of the most expensive plates of its time. It was purchased by automotive designer and enthusiast Afzal Kahn and later displayed on his iconic Bugatti Veyron, giving the plate notable cultural and collector appeal.

8) DB 1 – £437,000

Auction: Private Auction Sale (UK)
Location: UK
Date: September 2025
Price: £437,000 including fees and VAT

The registration DB 1 sold for £437,000 at the Goodwood Revival auction in September 2025. Originally issued by Stockport Borough Council in 1904, it is among the earliest UK registrations still in use. Its letters also evoke Aston Martin’s iconic “DB” series, giving it broad appeal among both collectors and luxury motoring enthusiasts.

9) SH 1 – £415,143

Auction: DVLA Auction
Location: UK
Date: April 2019
Price: £415,143 including fees and VAT

The registration SH 1 sold for £415,143 at a DVLA personalised registrations auction in April 2019, placing it among the UK’s most expensive plates. Although little is publicly documented about its earlier history, it has been seen fitted to a Bentley Continental GT, showing its appeal among luxury car owners.

10) S 1 – £404,063

Auction: DVLA Auction
Location: UK
Date: September 2008
Price: £404,063 including fees and VAT

The registration S 1 sold for £404,063 at a DVLA personalised registration auction in September 2008, ranking it among the most expensive UK plates. Originally issued in the early 1900s, it has appeared on a variety of high-end vehicles, highlighting its timeless appeal and continued desirability among collectors.

How Auction Prices Are Calculated (Fees, VAT & Total Cost)

When plates sell at auction, the total price a buyer pays typically includes:

• Hammer price: The bid amount when the auctioneer closes the lot.
• Buyer’s premium: A percentage fee the auction house adds on top (often 20% of the hammer price).
• VAT on both the hammer price and buyer’s premium, as applicable.

So the all-in price listed above reflects what the winner actually handed over, including fees and taxes where data is disclosed.

What This Teaches Us About the UK Plate Market

These record prices show that UK personalised registrations aren’t just vanity items — they have collector appeal, historical significance, and investment potential. Rare, short registrations tend to hold or increase their value over time, although not all private sales are publicly disclosed, and some high-value transactions remain confidential.

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FAQ

Q: Are UK number plates a good investment?
A: Rare, short plates often retain or increase in value, but like any investment, returns aren’t guaranteed.

Q: What makes a number plate valuable?
A: Short length, memorable patterns, historical provenance, and limited supply drive high value.