Drivers are being warned of key information they need to be aware of when they are buying a personalised number plate.
Many motorists will choose to invest in their very own unique registration plate to express their personality, convey a message or even show their support for their favourite team.
When buying a personalised number plate from the DVLA via an auction, drivers can pay as little as £250 including VAT and an £80 assignment fee.
At each auction, there are up to 2,500 registrations up for sale, with Live Venue auctions held three times a year and Timed Online auctions held six times per year.
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The current DVLA auction, which ends today, has already seen massive sales of 23 personalised number plates selling for £10,000 or more.
The most expensive plate sold so far has been “812 A” which had a starting price of just £2,500 but bids forced the final total to a staggering £38,000.
Other popular number plates that went under the hammer include “AMZ 1”, “188 M”, “1 GVL” and “330 C” – all of which sold for more than £22,000.
The current auction, which is taking place at Stratford Manor, will see the sale of plates like “200 RAT”, “17 RAV” and “229 RCH”.
On the DVLA number plate auction website, drivers are issued with a legal warning, informing them that it is an offence to alter, re-arrange or misrepresent a registration.
There is a maximum fine of £1,000 and the registration plate can be withdrawn without compensation.
Roads Minister Richard Holden said: “Picking your own personalised registration is a great way to add a personal touch to your vehicle, and the DVLA auction is a fantastic opportunity to find exactly what you’re looking for.
“With DVLA raising almost £15 million in the past three auctions, I’m particularly excited to be on the podium for the last ever in-person auction to seal some of the bids and see people take home their perfect registration.”
Two lots this year have already surpassed a huge benchmark, with “H1NDU” selling for £112,010 and one private driver bidding £106,090 for “1DEO”.
To assign a personalised number plate, a driver may need a V750 certificate of entitlement, which they will receive when buying a private number plate.
They can do this or have a V778 retention document or reference number, which a driver will receive when they take a number from another vehicle they own.
Jody Davies, Head of DVLA Personalised Registrations, said: “We are looking forward to holding our last in-person venue auction in Stratford-upon-Avon. There is always a sense of excitement in the room as people bid for their perfect registration and there will be 1,000 personalised registrations available for this last auction to suit all tastes, styles and budgets."
A spokesperson for Jardine Motors said: “One thing we do know about private number plates is that they can be very expensive, so that is something to consider when adding that personal touch to your vehicle.
“Some of the dateless plates are particularly highly sought-after and could bring upwards of millions of pounds at auction.
“Additionally, there are a few other things to consider. When you make the purchase, the DVLA will send you a certificate of entitlement (V750), allowing you to put personalised plates on your car.
“You will then need to take this, along with your ID, to a plate manufacturer to get them made – they won’t be sent to you upon purchase.”
Drivers must ensure there is an 11mm space between each character and a 33mm gap between the two groups, as well as not having any screws in the middle of a letter or number.
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Drivers cannot have any screws in the middle of a character
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This could potentially lead to a failed MOT and even a hefty fine worth £1,000 from the police for not having a road-legal number plate.
