Published: 01 May 2026
In 1902 the Motor Car Act of 1903 was passed in the UK, and it required every vehicle to display a unique identification number. Early examples were incredibly simple with a regional code and number issued in sequence, A1, B2 etc.
However, as new generations of drivers took to the roads in larger numbers the scarcity of these early plates took on a new prestigious heritage. Governments around the world eventually realised that number plates were now collectible items and these once humble bureaucratic tools could be auctioned to a willing and wealthy crowd. They became desirable assets that often placed them alongside art pieces, rare wines and other objects in the luxury collectible category.
Here is a brief guide to the 10 most expensive number plates in the world.
1. P 7
£12 million +
The Most Noble Numbers charity auction in Dubai was held in April 2023. This was the ultimate showcase for exclusive and rare identifiers with phone numbers and rare vehicle number plates being auctioned to the highest bidder.
The P 7 plate eventually changed hands for a staggering price of over £12 million and entered the Guiness Book of World Records for most expensive car registration of all time. The clamour was somewhat understandable as it represented a single digit plate with the enduring lucky number 7 as the only numerical element.
Importantly, all proceeds went to the UAE 1 Billion Meals charity campaign for global food aid. This was wonderful philanthropy and prestige combining in one single sale for the anonymous new owner.
2. 1
£10.7 million
When Saeed Abdul Ghaffar Khouri bought the 1 plate in 2008 he effectively created the ultra - luxury number plate market in the Middle East. This act became a news item all over the planet and the transaction held the world record for 15 years.
It appears delightfully obvious why the single digit number would carry such weight and value. When asked about his motivation for the purchase, Khouri reportedly stated that he simply ‘wanted the best number’. Which, one could argue, is the perfectly appropriate reason for the perfect plate.
3. AA 9
£7.6 million
Simplicity and repetition are often prioritised for number plates outside of single digits. The AA 9 that was sold at a charity auction in 2021 showed how they could now be used for personal branding in a logo-like way.
This anonymous buyer was happy to spend £7.6 million to make it part of their asset identity.
4. AA 8
£7.5 million
Just months after the sale of AA 9 another plate from the same series became available and entered the same class. The AA 8 achieved AED 35 million and added momentum and attention to the growing number plate markets.
It eventually reached a price just under the AA 9 with some incredibly competitive bidding on show.
5. 5
£7.4 million
The collector that bought this plate is known to enjoy using his purchases on customised Rolls Royce cars in a remarkable display of style and wealth.
The auction demonstrated how single digit plates were now recognised as the pinnacle for number plate enthusiasts everywhere.
6. D 5
£7.4 million
The same collector is responsible for another key entry at the same auction - he bought the 5 plate in 2016. This was D 5, a standout alpha-numerical plate that brought the hammer down at a price just a fraction under his previous purchase.
It was clear to all at that stage that building a portfolio of this new luxury asset class was now a path for collectors to follow.
7. NSW 1
£6 million
NSW 1 is the only entry in the top ten that appears from outside of the UAE luxury asset world. This was a private deal conducted in 2024 with a discreet transaction from an undisclosed buyer.
The provenance and meaning of the number plate is clear. It is tied to the registration system of the New South Wales state and acts as a museum piece that the owner can now proudly apply to any car in his fleet.
8. O 9
£5.4 million
This purchase was a signal to all those watching how serious the collector was viewing the luxury number plate world. In many ways, this represented his introduction as perhaps the most notable figure for the asset space anywhere in the world.
A single letter and single digit offered number plate scarcity and status for Sahni to secure.
9. 2
£5 million
The April 2022 Most Noble Numbers charity auction was laying the ground for the world record that would be made there in the following year. This 2 plate was the star of the show as the market was crystallised for single digit collectors.
An anonymous buyer eventually won the day with an AED 23.3 million bid.
10. 7
£3 million
There is so much cultural weight and history attached to the number 7. It therefore comes as no surprise that this 7 plate makes the top 10 after its sale at Abu Dhabi in 2010. It also does not go unnoticed that the number 7 is an emblem of national pride in the UAE, signifying the seven emirates that the nation is composed of.
The buyer may remain anonymous, but the intention was clear. Holding this valuable and prestigious number plate brings one a lot more than just luck.
From administration documentation to apex asset, the number plate has already been on quite a journey. As these top 10 examples show, it is one that shows no signs of slowing down or stopping any time soon. They have become transferable icons in the elite world that ignite bidding wars and offer more value than the super cars that they are used to identify. It really is a numbers game for these astonishing items.
