Best DVLA number plates

Who said Crypto was all the rage? 570 CKS are where it’s at, and you can be guaranteed there’s a number of social media “Day Traders” with their hearts set on this dateless reg.

The suffix number plates BES 770Y and ASA 551N resembling “Best Toy” and, if you forgive the spelling – “Assassin” are others to watch in the category of fun and quirky plates which are likely to be popular choices amongst bidders.

The ASA 551N number plate was heavily contested and found its perfect match after fetching £12,560 plus fees at auction. It now proudly adorns a BMW M3 Competition, enhancing the vehicle’s fierce persona with its suggestive and striking moniker. This plate not only adds a custom touch but also perfectly complements the powerful aura of the M3, undoubtedly making it a head-turner on the roads.

Name-related number plates have garnered significant interest recently and have set new highs at auction. This is because they are the perfect example of vehicle personalisation, so long as you don’t mind strangers shouting your name now and again.

The interest in name number plates hasn’t gone unnoticed at the DVLA, and with this auction, they’ve included a few select picks, including the registration SA72 RAH – To all the Sarah’s that missed out on SA22 RAH recently sold at auction for a staggering £45,032.84 including fees and VAT and now proudly displayed on a Range Rover Velar, this is your second chance.

Miles ahead with the highest bid so far, we predict 296 GTS will achieve the highest hammer price at this auction. A dateless registration which can be assigned to a vehicle of any age, it is the perfect plate for the recently launched Ferrari 296 GTS which Ferarri boasts is “the epitome of driving pleasure”.

No prizes for guessing which car this number plate is destined for then, although it would be comical if it ended up on a BMW Isetta.

Whether you’re a baker, plumber, handbag designer or a tongue-in-cheek OnlyFans aficionado, DVLA have you covered with some fantastic business-related number plates that will certainly cast a spotlight on your trade and get your business noticed. A few may even get tongues wagging 🙊.

DVLA’s online timed auction operates a ‘sliding end time’ to prevent rival bidders from sniping the registration seconds before the end of an auction.

Auction sniping is a method of bidding where a bidder places a bid likely to exceed the current highest bid as late as possible (usually seconds before the end of the auction) and does not allow other bidders enough time to react or outbid the sniper.

This practice was made popular on eBay where it is common place but is not allowed in the DVLA online timed auction. Therefore, any bid placed within the last 30 minutes of an auction end time will add an additional 30 minutes to the end time. In theory, an auction could go on indefinitely under the right conditions.

With any auction, it’s always best to set your maximum budget ahead of bidding and most importantly to stick to it.

The best way we’ve found to bid at the DVLA number plate auction is to either

• Bid 70-80% of your maximum bid at the start and then top up as necessary at least 50 mins before the auction ends or
• Wait and place your maximum bid at least 50 mins toward the end of an auction.

These strategies will either take you out of the running should you max out your budget, or put off rival bidders if your max bid is seemingly much higher than they are willing to pay; all within good time to hopefully prevent the auction sliding.

Top tip – Whole numbers in the 50 or 100’s are psychological anchors. Setting your max budget at £2,030 rather than £2,000 may just give you the edge.

If you’re unsuccessful at the auction, head to the Best Reg Company to explore their number plate marketplace. You might just find what you’re looking for, commission-free and available from independent sellers.

Best of luck bidding!