Which 3-digit plates are left to issue?

We’ve spent hours analysing DVLA sales and vehicle registration data to learn there are just 10 (yes ten) registrations yet to issue which contain one number and two letters. Those plates are:

(list updated March 2023)

8 XN

9 XN

8 XP

9 XP

6 XU

8 XU

9 XV

7 XW

9 XW

and finally…

9 YT

A lot of people have already realised the 3-digit plates are running out, which is reflected in some unusually high prices being achieved at recent auctions. So if you’re looking for a decent investment, you could do a lot worse than buying a sensibly priced 3-digit registration - and unlike a Rolex or gold bar, you can enjoy using it in public without the risk of being robbed!

As Good as Gold? No. Better!

Published July 2020

Everyone knows that gold is a great long-term asset/investment… but how does gold compare to some premium personal number plates over the last 20 years?

Here we take a look at some recent 3-digit plates which sold at the July 2020 DVLA auction and compare them to similar plates which sold over the last 20 years.

3-digit XT plates:

• 5 XT - £2,400 in 2001

• 3 XT - £5,100 in 2009

• 4 XT - £8,700 in 2016

• 8 XT - £16,480 in 2020

• 9 XT - £21,610 in 2020

• All 1-to-9 XT plates are now issued.

3-digit YK plates:

• 3 YK - £2,900 in 2002

• 4 YK - £4,800 in 2009

• 7 YK - £8,200 in 2013

• 6 YK - £16,000 in 2018

• 9 YK - £31,100 in 2020

• All 1-to-9 YK plates are now issued.

Note the prices quoted above are "hammer prices", so they are all plus VAT, plus Buyer's Premium, plus VAT on the BP and plus DVLA assignment fee, so add approx. 28% to calculate the total selling prices.

You can check our figures for yourself by visiting: https://dvlaregistrations.dvla.gov.uk/search/previous-auction-plates.html

As you can tell, 3-digit number plates are performing pretty well… and that’s only going to improve because the DVLA will soon be running out of 3-digit number plates to issue!