DVLA Plate Auction

[TNGL]

Is anybody taking part in the auction they're holding over the new few days?

I successfully bid on a plate which is essentially my first name and last initial but I am now experiencing instant regret in spending that much on a number plate (and the fees sting too).

The only justification I have for it is I won't ever find a better numberplate to match my name and it's a lifelong purchase which shouldn't depreciate.

On the other hand, I will probably not bother with a custom plate anymore if, by the time I reach a certain age, it is classed as having a mid-life crisis.

 

[IAmATeaf]

Just because you've bid doesn't mean you've won it does it?

 

[TNGL]

Just because you've bid doesn't mean you've won it does it?

I said successfully bid, so I have won it.

 

[wedrum]

how much ?

 

[kindai]

I spent around 500 on my plate, and tbh didnt really bother me.

I would struggle to go anywhere above £1k unless it was something really special.

 

[IAmATeaf]

I said successfully bid, so I have won it.

OK, to me it just means that you've placed a bid, now if you had said bid and won?

 

[Glanza]

Doesn't sound like you've won it just your the winning bidder so far same as how Ebay works.

Not in the auction side but I spent £250 on mine and even then it was a should I shouldn't I moment.

 

[TNGL]

It was around £1,600 including fees, so whilst not anywhere near as expensive as some of these plates go for, it was still a bit of a hit for me.

OK, to me it just means that you've placed a bid, now if you had said bid and won?

I guess the OP is somewhat ambiguous

 

[Maccapacca]

It's the ongoing fees that kill you, my plate was £250 14 years ago but cost me £800 in transfer fees across all the cars I've had

 

[sigma]

Not too bad I guess. The plate I looked at a while ago, which wasn't advertised by the DVLA, was up for around £7k

 

[LeeUK]

Most a plate is worth in my eyes is basic reg fee. It's just absurd paying £7K for a plate which isn't even worth that and I know this because I've been watching plates for 10 years+ that are still up for sale for thousands. If they were really worth that they would have been snapped up donkeys ago.

 

[sigma]

I guess they just sit on it hoping that someone will pay the fee.

 

[IAmATeaf]

Jeez, 1600 smacker-roo-neys, what's the plate if you don't mind me asking?

I've got one but it was 250 back in the days

 

[stoofa]

I've seen some great plates over the years. Personally, unless I had a lottery win it isn't something I'd buy - but the really rare plates I guess are an investment, you'll always be able to get your money back.
I do have a plate on my car that is to do with the car (last three letters being VRS) but that was just an idea for a Christmas present from my wife one year, and it will have cost an amazing £250.
The trouble is - the very best plates are insane money, the cheaper ones rely too much on mis-spacing and "positioned bolts" which in my eyes just look terrible.
I did have this great idea back in 2005, just before the new plates were due to be issued, that I'd try and get hold of BO55 HOG - of course I'd be the only person who would think of that - I didn't get very far with that idea.

 

[bainbridge]

I was in exactly the same boat 12 years ago, with an opportunity to buy a plate that matched my name better than any other could and I was umming and ahhing. Took the plunge and no regrets!

 

[kindai]

It was around £1,600 including fees, so whilst not anywhere near as expensive as some of these plates go for, it was still a bit of a hit for me.

go on, what was the plate...

 

[TNGL]

Jeez, 1600 smacker-roo-neys, what's the plate if you don't mind me asking?

I've got one but it was 250 back in the days

go on, what was the plate...

I don't want to put my name and last initial on the forum, but say if your name was Boris Taylor, the plate would be:

BOR 15T

I.e. my plate is in the format of XXX 15T.

Not sure if T suffix plates have more value or not. Bold letters in the example resemble my actual name.

I was in exactly the same boat 12 years ago, with an opportunity to buy a plate that matched my name better than any other could and I was umming and ahhing. Took the plunge and no regrets!

This is reassuring to read

 

[Hades]

Each to their own and if you like it then great. My brother and his wife have them although they are 3x3 dateless and nowhere near that cost. Personally I've never been bothered enough to pay money for one.

Ones which make up a name are OK I guess. Unless they are a bit of a stretch and obviously look like someone is vain enough to want to get close, but not quite, to their name (e.g needing spacing and black screw covers).

Edit: When you put it on a car make sure you agree with your insurance company that the plate belongs to you. In the event of a write off the car becomes theirs and they might try to keep a valuable plate to recover some of their losses. So get it in writing up front that the plate belongs to you when you transfer it.

 

[Philz0r]

I recently looked into a private plate, my last name is Elgar and seen Elg8r for a meer £17000.

 

[grudas]

I got one recently for my mx5.

it's simply "edd 90k" got it for £600 and quite happy with that, wanted a private plate for a while but wanted one with my first name on it. 90k is just matching because my year of birth is 1990.

very happy with it, not counting it as investment or anything but I doubt that it'll ever loose value. Funny enough it is still for "sale" on random number plate websites for 1250ish but I have no idea how they can sell something that I own, is assigned to my car and I have documents for lol.