Investing

Investing in Number Plates

By Ruby Speechley

The Pimlico Plumbers in London could do with some TAP numbers themselves, although they already own over fifty personalised plates, according to Managing Director, Charlie Mullins. “Some of my favourites are W4 TER, T1 LER, DRA 1N, B1 DET and LAV 1. It’s a fun way of ensuring that when people see one of our vans, they remember who we are. We’ve had so much publicity since we started the collection - in newspapers, on radio and TV. Our customers are always commenting on them. We estimate that all together the plates must be worth over £100K, but to us they are priceless.”

When motoring commentator Quentin Willson visited a DVLA auction, he was struck by the fact that ordinary people were buying plates as investments. “I sat next to an electrician who was buying up cheap plates on his day off, to sell on to his friends for twice the price!” Although number plates have gone up in value significantly over recent years, potential investors should choose carefully, according to Willson. “It is the older plates that are the best for long term investment,” he explains, “but not the DVLA re-issues.”

It’s not just the shorter plates that are increasing in value, name plates too have really started to soar. Tony Blair could have owned 70 NYS, which sold in 2001 for £14,000 and is worth £38,000 today. David Steel might have liked 57 EEL which went for £10,000 in 2002. Today it is valued at £35,000.

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