DVLA's October 2023 auction was a live event held at Stratford Manor Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon on the 18th, 19th and 20th October 2023. DVLA intends to hold all future auctions as online-only events, so the October sale was probably the last ever DVLA live auction.
As always, prices quoted in this report include fees and taxes.
The end of an era
To us at Regtransfers, it feels like the end of an era. We are the only independent number plates dealer to have attended every DVLA live auction event since they began in 1989. For 34 years, these sales, which have taken place in some fantastic locations, have been essential calendar fixtures. Not only have they been vital business events, they have also been great social and networking get-togethers where we have made new friends and caught up with old ones.
For an event that felt so significant to those present, the lead-up to this final live auction seemed deliberately low-key. Since the Covid pandemic, the live auctions have seen lower attendance than they did before. There was no particular promotion before the event and it seemed that DVLA was content to just let this final sale proceed without undue fuss; nevertheless, the sale room was busier than it had been for years.
Among those in attendance was the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Roads and Local Transport, Richard Holden MP. We were told that Mr Holden's father was an auctioneer, so it should come as no surprise that he wanted to have a go at briefly taking that role himself. DVLA's Head of Registrations had attended on the Thursday.
As the last lot sold there was a round of applause. There were also a few tears as many of the staff there had been going for years. It was the end of an era and as the figurative curtain came down, we reflected on how much we will miss seeing everyone we used to meet five times a year at the event.
On a poignant last note, our own auction veteran, buy-in manager John Doherty, was extremely touched to be presented with the auctioneer’s gavel and block.
Top registrations
Prices and totals at the historic sale reflected the subdued run-up to the event. All the lots sold but no records were broken. Despite the modest takings, there were still plenty of interesting and amusing lots on offer.
The highest price paid was £48,872 for 812 A. The rest of the top five positions in the price rankings were taken by AMZ 1 (£39,884), 188 M (£35,518), 1 SSU (£32,180) and 9 XW (£28,585).
A great car deserves a great plate
We've always said it and at least a couple of purchasers agreed. At £48,872, 812 A would look great on a Ferrari 812 GTS and AMZ 1 (£39,884) would be a fantastic plate for an Aston Martin Zagato.
Cheeky
Of course, much is in the eye of the beholder where personal plates are concerned, so whether you consider A1 BUM (£6,757) as a suitable number for a vinyl record collector, or for someone with a high opinion of their own posterior, is entirely up to you.
Similarly, OLD 91T (£8,940) may seem like a reference to the age of someone whose initial is 'T'. It could also be an uncomplimentary description of that, or another, elderly person. Charming.
The digital influence
The auctions always feature numbers that allude to the world of technology and social media. Most YouTube viewers will immediately see the reference in MRB 345T (£12,150), while young gamers will have no trouble recognising the game platform represented by ROB 10X (£9,582).
The beautiful game
Football is another topic that is always covered by the auction lots, one way or another. While maybe not as instantly recognisable as some of the other registrations mentioned here, COY 1X (£15,745) is actually a really clever rendering of a terrace chant for a West Ham fan. As the purchaser explained, the initials on the plate stand for "Come on you Irons!" and the X represents the club's famous crossed hammers motif.
And it's goodnight from him
This last ever DVLA live auction comprised 1000 lots, all of which were sold. Purchasers spent a total of £4,401,928, delivering £4,119,180 to the treasury.
| Plate | Price * |
|---|---|
| 812 A | £48,872 |
| AMZ 1 | £39,884 |
| 188 M | £35,518 |
| 1 SSU | £32,180 |
| 9 XW | £28,585 |
| 1 GVL | £28,585 |
| 330 C | £28,328 |
| VSH 1 | £24,476 |
| 992 G | £23,834 |
| 1 LXM | £20,110 |
| MON 8Y | £19,854 |
| 4 RUP | £19,597 |
| OHC 2 | £19,340 |
| 46 UK | £18,313 |
| IG 50 | £17,542 |
| COY 1X | £15,745 |
| 321 V | £15,488 |
| 1 OHK | £14,974 |
| 310 O | £14,718 |
| 111 KSP | £14,204 |
| 22 BEE | £14,204 |
| 770 MS | £13,819 |
| 211 W | £13,690 |
| 1996 S | £13,434 |
| 52 OOO | £13,434 |
| 6 PSL | £13,434 |
| 111 TY | £13,177 |
| 22 OF | £13,177 |
| 265 JC | £13,177 |
| 111 ONA | £12,920 |
| 13 MAD | £12,920 |
| 18 LAM | £12,920 |
| 17 SPY | £12,663 |
| 220 H | £12,406 |
| 574 N | £12,406 |
| 720 AB | £12,406 |
| 5 NEW | £12,406 |
| TUR 30S | £12,406 |
| 117 T | £12,150 |
| 880 X | £12,150 |
| MRB 345T | £12,150 |
| 96 GO | £11,893 |
| 102 SB | £11,764 |
| 5 SNB | £11,764 |
| 99 OD | £11,636 |
| 9 LCL | £11,636 |
| AVV 1T | £11,636 |
| 666 JAY | £11,379 |
| 321 DM | £11,122 |
| 3695 GT | £11,122 |
* Prices include fees and taxes.
The next DVLA auction will, of course, be an online-only event, taking place from Wednesday 22nd November to Tuesday 28th November 2023.
More great number plate auction information
The Regtransfers auction
Buy and sell with our number plate auction. You can see what is coming soon or jump in to the listings.
DVLA September 2023 Auction
Learn more about personal number plates that sold for great prices in the DVLA's previous auction.
