2009-02-01 17:26:16 - Results from the first auction of private number plates in 2009

The first auction of private number plates by the DVLA has been a great success, flying in the face of the current credit crunch predictions. 1600 lots were offered for sale on the 29th through to the 30th of January 2009 at Whittlebury Hall, Towcester, Northamptonshire and bids for those sold raised over £3.3million, with 271 lots unsold.This compares very favourably with the last auction of 2008 where 300 lots did not reach their reserves and £3.1 million was the total for bids.

Highest bid was for the registration number 1O which fetched £170,000 which equates to over £210,000 when commission and taxes are added. Next was 1 HRH which brought £92,000 which would cost over £113,000 after commission, vat and

transfer fee. There was a third high value number, 3 S which sold for £76,000 ( over £81,000 after commission and taxes).

Highest suffix type number was MAL 1X which brought a winning bid of £10,100 whilst girls names did well with FAR 44H ( £8300 ), JOD 11S ( £8600 ), SOF 1B ( £9000 ) and RUT 11S ( £8100 ). Surname plates brought some good bids with FO57 ERS achieving £6800 and S57 NGH £5200. A notable car based registrations was VEY 20N ( Bugatti Veyron ), and a novelty number OUR 70Y ( OUR TOY ) brought £5700.

The results of this auction show that the market for high quality private number plates has not been hit by the credit crunch in the same way as new car sales have been in the last year or so.

The next such auction is scheduled for March 25th through 27th and the venue is Ardencote Manor Hotel and Country Club, Claverdon, Warwick.