Car Customization: What Are the Most Expensive License Plates Ever Sold?
By Space Coast Daily // August 8, 2024
If you really want to stand out from the crowd and get yourself noticed in your car, one of the best ways to do it would be to have a truly memorable and unique license plate.
The cost of number plates varies considerably, as you might expect, and some plates fetch stratospheric prices when they come up for sale. However, you can often get a meaningful license plate for a reasonable fee. Personalization is a great way of showing your personality and a brilliant way to customize your car.
While you are searching for just the right one, it might be fun to learn about some of the most expensive plates ever sold. Here’s a rundown of some eye-wateringly expensive deals that have become the pride and joy of a ultra- wealthy motorist somewhere.
You may not be surprised to see that many of these plates originate from some of the wealthiest countries where some individuals have very deep pockets.
Dubai’s ultimate status symbol – the number one plate
The plate that simply says the number 1 holds the record for the most expensive license plate ever sold. It was purchased in 2008 by Emirati businessman Saeed Abdul Ghaffar Khouri at an auction in Abu Dhabi for an incredible $14.3 million.
Saying you are number one on your car is arguably the ultimate status symbol.
Number 5 fetched closed to $10 million
Back in 2016, Indian businessman Balwinder Sahni announced his wealth in a very public way by buying the 5 plate for $9.7 million. It was bought at an auction in Abu Dhabi. The real estate tycoon already had an enviable collection of unique license plates, and this was considered the jewel in the crown.
Dubai’s D5 Plate fetched $8.9 Million from a familiar buyer
Balwinder Sahni was also responsible for purchasing the prestigious D5 plate for $8.9 million in 2016. The reason for such a premium price is that the combination of D and 5 has special significance in the country. This is because it can be interpreted as D representing both Dubai and 5, which is considered a lucky number.
California’s MM Plate still waiting for a buyer
Although not yet sold, the MM plate in California is available if you have a spare $24 million available. If it achieves this price, it would become the most expensive license plate ever.
A lucky Chinese number commands a top price
In Chinese culture, the number 18 is considered extremely lucky. It is this cultural significance that led to the number 18 plate being sold for $2.3 million in Hong Kong, back in 2008.
Another symbolic Chinese number fetches a premium price
The number 9 is associated with longevity and eternal life in Chinese culture. That’s why a plate with this single number fetched $1.7 million at a Hong Kong auction in 2008.
It was purchased by a wealthy person who obviously valued its auspicious meaning.
Californian prestige plate has a high value price tag
Listed for sale at $2.9 million, the license plate with a single number 6 registered in California has not yet found a buyer. Sooner or later, someone will find the temptation too much to resist this simple but prestigious number.
An F1 number plate has obvious appeal to petrolheads
If you are a fan of motorsport, having a plate that simply reads F1 would be the ultimate definition of fandom. The only trouble is that the current owner, Afzal Khan wants close to $20 million to part with it.
Considering he paid $620,000, that’s quite a return on his investment.
O9 is a big number in Dubai
This sought-after 09 plate (zero-nine) sold for $2.6 million in Dubai back in 2015. No doubt, it is now worth a lot more these days, with so many potential wealthy buyers in the region.
A chance to be the number one in Qatar
In Qatar, the Q1 plate was last sold for $1.2 million. The plate is so valuable because it is a representation of the country’s name and the prestige of owning such a unique combination.
Most of us don’t have the sort of wealth that allows us to compete for these unique plates, but there are plenty of attractively priced combinations that will make you feel special every time you take your car for a spin.
