Each year, thousands of private number plates go under the hammer in DVLA auctions, and February 2025 was no exception. With 2,000 private registration plates available for bidding, the event attracted private buyers, collectors, and businesses eager to secure a unique combination of letters and numbers for their vehicles.
The auction, which ran from Wednesday, 12th February to Tuesday, 18th February 2025, delivered some surprising results, with certain plates reaching extraordinary prices. From sought-after personal initials to quirky wordplay and even a nod to trending cultural themes, this auction had it all.
Breaking Down the Top 5 Sales
As with previous auctions, the most expensive plates featured short letter and number combinations, often involving initials or low-digit numbers.
- 3 FU – £89,960 One of the biggest surprises of the auction was the sale of ‘3 FU’ for a staggering £89,960. Historically, number plates featuring ‘FU’ were withheld by the DVLA due to potential offensiveness. However, recent auctions have seen similar combinations making an appearance. In February 2024, ‘2 FU’ sold for £74,565, while ‘911 FU’ fetched £32,180 in May 2024. This suggests that the DVLA is easing its restrictions, and buyers are keen to snap up these once-unavailable combinations.
- 66 OAT – £39,897 This plate’s appeal likely stems from its resemblance to the term ‘GOAT’—an acronym for ‘Greatest of All Time.’ The phrase is widely used in sports and pop culture to refer to legendary figures, and personalized number plates featuring variations of the term have consistently drawn interest. A previous example, ‘THE 904T,’ fetched a significant sum in a past auction, indicating a sustained demand for similar registrations.
- 200 OOO – £38,086 Plates featuring sequences of zeros or the letter ‘O’ often attract attention due to their sleek and symmetrical design. The allure of repetition and simplicity is a common theme in valuable private registrations, making this a predictable top sale.
- RVS 1 – £33,477 Number plates ending in ‘1’ tend to be highly sought after, particularly for business or personal branding. ‘RVS 1’ likely held specific value for an individual or company with those initials, adding to its desirability and final sale price.
- PAD 6L – £32,180 While not immediately obvious, this plate may reference ‘padel,’ a fast-growing racket sport originating from Mexico in 1969. Padel has gained popularity in recent years but remains less well-known than tennis or badminton. This sale might suggest an increasing interest in sport-related plates.
The Power of Word Plates
Word-based plates consistently generate strong interest, particularly those with clear or humorous meanings. February’s auction included a variety of such registrations:
- DAM 1T – £27,160 While the exact interpretation is open-ended (‘Damn it’ or ‘Dam it’), its appeal is evident. Playful or edgy plates often attract buyers who enjoy a bit of personality on their vehicles.
- 5 WOW – £18,454 This plate carries a universal message of excitement or surprise, which could make it desirable for an individual or business looking to stand out.
- 81 ESS – £16,926 Potentially spelling ‘Bless,’ this plate may have attracted religious buyers or those fond of the positive sentiment it conveys.
- PLU 9S – £16,130 Likely referencing ‘Plugs,’ this registration could appeal to an electrician, mechanic, or even someone in the hair extension industry.
- 745 TY – £13,318 A creative interpretation of ‘Tasty,’ this plate is ideal for a food business or anyone in the culinary world.
- FLY 111G – £12,946 A great fit for pilots or aviation enthusiasts, this plate’s clever spelling of ‘Flying’ makes it a solid purchase for the right buyer.
- OUT 500N – £7,797 Meaning ‘Out soon,’ this plate is broad enough to apply to anything from product launches to personal branding.
Name-Based Plates Continue to Dominate
Personalized number plates featuring names or initials remain a staple of DVLA auctions. Many buyers seek plates that match their own names, family members, or business identities. Some notable sales included:
- AWA 155S – £15,501 (Awais)
- H49 RRY – £13,048 (Harry)
- J451 NGH – £12,933 (JA Singh – A testament to the popularity of the surname ‘Singh’ in number plate sales)
- ALF 31E – £10,493 (Alfie)
- S41 NDY – £10,365 (Sandy or Sindy)
- 4 MUL – £10,365 (Amul)
- MKH 14N – £9,081 (M Khan)
Car-Themed Plates and Their Popularity
As expected, vehicle-related plates always find buyers, especially among car enthusiasts and collectors. Porsche fans were particularly active in this auction:
- 911 SEB – £16,977
- 911 BEE – £15,154
- 911 SAJ – £9,209
- 911 MBN – £8,028
Other Porsche-related sales included:
- 992 GTS – £20,637 (Referencing the Porsche 992 GTS model)
- 918 O – £18,095 (Likely related to the Porsche 918 Spyder)
- 993 SH – £16,143 (A nod to the Porsche 993 series)
For football fans, club-related plates always spark competitive bidding. This auction saw:
- AR56 NAL – £23,231
Clearly, Arsenal supporters remain passionate about securing plates that align with their beloved team. Football-themed plates have consistently fetched high sums in past auctions, reflecting the deep-rooted fan loyalty in the sport.
Auction Statistics: The Bigger Picture
Understanding the overall numbers from this auction provides insight into the growing interest in personalized registrations.
- Total Lots Available: 2,000
- Sold Lots: 1,969
- Unsold Lots: 31
- Total Revenue Generated: £6,482,992
- Contribution to the Treasury: £6,138,145
With only 31 unsold lots, this auction proved to be another successful event for the DVLA. Demand for private registrations remains strong, particularly among those looking for distinctive branding or sentimental value.
What’s Next? The March 2025 DVLA Auction
For those who missed out on February’s auction, there’s good news—the next DVLA timed online auction is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, 19th March to Tuesday, 25th March 2025. With another 2,000 plates expected to be available, bidders will once again have a chance to secure their dream registration.
Whether you’re after a name plate, a sleek number combination, or a humorous wordplay, these auctions offer something for everyone. As the trends from February 2025 have shown, prices can climb quickly for the most desirable plates, so prospective buyers should be prepared to bid strategically.
With private plates becoming an increasingly popular investment, the upcoming auctions are likely to deliver more surprises and record-breaking sales. Watch this space for the next big results!