Private number plates are now thought of as essential by many motorists. As far as car parts go, noticeable number plates can really make your vehicle stand out from the rest. Slight cosmetic touches and detailed styling on a car are often subtle and easily missed. However, people always seem to notice and appreciate a special number plate on a vehicle whenever they see one.

So which combination should you go for? There are practically millions of different options available. You may go for your name, initials or even your favourite sports team. Some individuals like to go for number plates that are particular to their make of car or motorbike.

How much should you spend? It all depends on how special you want your personalised number plates to be. The DVLA provides a good range of private registrations starting from as little as two hundred and fifty pounds. More distinctive combinations are available from professional number plate dealers with asking prices all the way up to a few hundred thousand pounds.

What determines the asking price? Many factors contribute to the valuation of a number plate. Supply and demand is one factor. On the supply side, if you are looking to buy a DG registration and there loads on the market, you could be able to arrange a good deal for yourself. Demand for popular sets of initials such as JSB and SJH is always high and as a result these combinations always cost more than not so popular initials such as VNJ or FGU.

Who should I buy my personalised number plate from? The totally obvious answer is to buy from whoever is offering you the best deal. Private number plates are regularly offered for sale in car magazines, motoring sections of certain newspapers and on internet auction websites. Do consider the popular saying, ‘if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is’. If you see an advert in the classifieds section of a car magazine offering the private number plate AJH 1 for five hundred pounds, be suspicious.

What about buying from a private number plate dealer? You could feel more comfortable buying from a registered dealer who has many years of experience buying and selling cherished registrations. To offer additional reassurances to the buyer, some dealers choose to become members of trade organisations such as APRT, CNDA or MIRAD.

Is there any inside information? The best advice is to be sure to display your new number plates correctly. If you intentionally adjust the way the letters or numbers are set out, or add a fixing screw in a place where it should not be, you may be fined or even worse have the rights to your personalised number plates taken away from you.

Is there anything else I should consider? Always inform your motor insurer and any recovery organisations you belong to when you replace your car number plates. There could be a small charge of around twelve pounds from your motor insurer to supply replacement policy documents.

Resource Box

James has been supplying UK motorists with private number plates for over fifteen years. Why not visit the Simply Registrations website to read more information and pick up a few useful tips on the subject of private number plates.