Once upon a time, a number plate was just a random mix of letters and numbers slapped onto the back of your car, a necessary evil to keep the fuzz happy. – Excuse the hyperbole as there’s a lot of meaning behind the registration plate since 1903 – check out the history here.) But fast forward to today, and we’re in the middle of a full-blown number plate gold rush. That’s right – personalised registrations are hotter than a summer’s day in Spain.
The numbers don’t lie. More than 1.2 million personalised plates were sold in 2024, doubling the figure from just ten years ago. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) raked in £276 million last year alone.
Plates as an Investment? You Bet!
What’s driving this craze? Well, besides the fact that having a plate that spells ‘BI6 8OSS’ makes you feel like a king or queen of the road, personalised registrations are becoming serious investments. Think less ‘cheeky car accessory’ and more ‘stocks and shares on wheels’.
Even here at Yellowhite, we snapped up a few registrations, never even stuck them on a car, and then sold them on for a profit. There’s value and yes, we’re buying more.
The resale market is booming, with 800,000 private transactions last year. From Yellowhite, Facebook groups to eBay auctions, plates are changing hands fast.
Gen Z Gets in on the Action
It’s not just the investors and collectors having all the fun. Enter the younger crowd, where image is everything. With many making waves on Instagram and TikTok.
In fact, in some car circles, you’re not known by your name anymore. You’re known by your plate. So next time you see ‘LUV 4ME’ in a car park, you might just be looking at a TikTok star (or someone who really loves themselves – either way, fair play).
Find your perfect private plate here or learn some tips and tricks to find your reg with our “How to search for a registration” guide.
The High Rollers: Big Money, Big Plates
Of course, at the other end of the scale, there’s the serious money crowd. KS1 sold for a whopping £285,000 just before Christmas, snapped up by an anonymous buyer (probably a Kevin Smith or Karen Sinclair who just really, really wanted their initials on their Lambo).
But Don’t jump in expecting easy money. The market is unpredictable, and for every plate that sells for six figures, there are plenty gathering dust in a collector’s drawer, waiting for their moment of glory.
The DVLA’s Plate Vault – And the Ones You’ll Never Get
If you’re wondering where all these plates come from, the Yellowhite is sitting on a bank of over 70 million registrations. Constantly releasing new ones based on market trends, but some combinations are locked away forever. Anything that’s considered offensive, embarrassing, or just plain rude is put on the naughty list and never sees the light of day. Checkout our story on the band lists of registrations of 2024.
Should You Get One?
Look, whether you’re in it for the flex, the fun, or the future investment, personalised plates aren’t slowing down anytime soon. You can grab a registration for under £200, or you can go all out and hunt for the ultimate prize – the plate that says ‘YOU’. Just be careful. It’s a slippery slope from buying one to suddenly owning a collection that takes over your garage. Just ask us lol.
At Yellowhite, we know the thrill of the chase. So if you’re ready to start your number plate adventure (or just want to see if your name’s available), you know where to find us. Let’s make your car stand out – because, let’s be honest, life’s too short for boring plates.
