From Wednesday 18th to Tuesday 24th June 2025, the DVLA hosted its latest online personalised number plate auction—and it didn’t disappoint. With fierce bidding and a mix of clever, stylish, and even cheeky private number plates up for grabs, the event once again highlighted just how personal number plates can be to UK drivers. All prices quoted include taxes and fees.
High-Value Highlights: June’s Top 5 Plates
The most talked-about plates of the auction were—unsurprisingly—those that fetched the highest bids. Leading the way was 8 FU, which sold for a massive £115,640. A blend of desirability and cultural significance, this plate combines the lucky number 8 (a symbol of wealth and success in Chinese culture) with "Fu," a commonly used Romanisation for several Chinese surnames. Despite its potentially controversial letter pairing—once restricted in UK registrations due to interpretation concerns—this release clearly struck a chord with bidders.
In second place was 95 A, which achieved £91,257. Its simplicity and symmetry make it an elegant plate, and single-letter combinations like “A” are always in demand, especially when paired with short numbers.
Third spot went to 98 O, which sold for £81,100. With Porsche’s 980 Carrera GT continuing to influence number plate trends, it’s likely this plate now adorns a high-performance car with the badge to match.
The fourth highest-selling plate was OAS 1S, reaching £72,035. As a flawless representation of “Oasis,” this one likely drew interest from music fans of the recently reformed Britpop band, as well as businesses or venues that share the name.
Completing the top five was 9 XN at £57,873. While its appeal may seem cryptic at first glance, rare short combinations like this often become valuable simply due to their clean format and exclusivity.
Name Plates: Popular as Ever
Name-based plates continued to attract bidders this month, led by the headline-making 8 FU, but there were plenty more subtle options on offer.
JO25 HUA sold for £16,143, serving as a creative nod to the name "Joshua," while MEL 133A (interpreted as “Melissa”) fetched a solid £15,231, despite its slightly adjusted spelling. These plates demonstrate how a little imagination can make names work beautifully on a number plate.
The name Sandu, common in both Indian and Romanian communities, made an appearance in the form of 544 NDU, which went for £11,649.
Perennial favourite Singh returned in two clever formats: HK51 NGH fetched £9,068, and VR51 NGH followed closely at £8,439.
Also of note were:
- JMM 1Y ("Jimmy") – £9,081
- CLA 117E ("Claire") – £9,081
These show that while shorter, high-impact name plates often grab headlines, there’s still room for creative combinations that feel personal and meaningful.
Wordplay Winners: Witty & Wicked Plates
Though not the star attraction this time around, word-based plates still made a solid showing. Leading the pack was the already-mentioned OAS 1S, but there were other inventive entries too.
Some cheeky and fun highlights included:
- 180 G – £20,637 (possible nod to “1 BOG,” great for a plumbing firm)
- 810 B – £20,008 (“BLOB”)
- 81 KES – £19,818 (“BIKES”), ideal for cycle-related businesses
In a somewhat demonic twist, there was a rare concentration of “Devil” plates up for sale:
- DEU 1L – £14,538
- DEV 11S – £13,639
- DVC 1L – £8,298
Though seemingly spooky, plates referencing “Devil” tend to gain cult popularity in these auctions—often featuring in multiple sales over the years.
Other standout wordplates included:
- BOO 813S (“Boobies”) – £12,933
- AML 1X (possibly read as “Aston Martin Luxury”) – £12,933
- HAT 6R (“Hater”) – £8,631
- TOX 7C (“Toxic”) – £7,797
- 506 OOD (“So Good”) – £9,723
- COW 880Y (“Cowboy”) – £5,999
- STA 711C (“Static”) – £5,319
These plates showcase how creativity and a touch of humour can turn an ordinary number into a memorable and marketable identity.
Auto-Inspired Plates: For the Car Enthusiast
The link between cars and private plates remains as strong as ever, with buyers using registration numbers to highlight their favourite marques or models.
For Porsche lovers, the auction offered:
- 98 O – £81,100 (highlighted above, perfect for a Porsche 980)
- 911 PEG – £7,835
- 911 REJ – £3,508
- 911 TDM – £3,329
Aston Martin fans had options as well:
- AML 1X – £12,933
- AMZ 3 – £12,291
These plates not only add a personal touch to luxury vehicles but can also become collectors’ items in their own right.
Final Thoughts: A Market Full of Personality
From high-value cultural nameplates to cheeky word combos and brand-inspired tags, June’s DVLA auction demonstrated the continued enthusiasm—and competitive bidding—that surrounds personalised registrations.
Whether you're in it for fun, status, sentimentality, or investment, these auctions provide a fascinating look into how drivers choose to express themselves. With creative freedom (and a touch of cash), a number plate becomes more than a legal necessity—it becomes part of your identity.