What Is a Cherished Number Plate and How Much Does It Cost?

What Is a Cherished Number Plate and How Much Does It Cost?

Introduction

If you've ever seen a car with a number plate that spells out a name or a word, chances are it's a cherished number plate. But what exactly are they, how do they work, and how much should you expect to pay? This guide covers everything you need to know.

What Is a Cherished Number Plate?

A cherished number plate — also known as a personalised or private registration — is a vehicle registration that has been chosen for its personal significance rather than assigned randomly by the DVLA. The term "cherished" traditionally referred to older, pre-1963 dateless plates, but today it's widely used to describe any personalised registration.

Examples include plates that spell out names (e.g. J0 HN), initials, words, or numbers with personal meaning.

Types of Number Plates in the UK

There are several formats available:

  • Dateless plates — the oldest and most prestigious format (e.g. A 1, JON 1). No year identifier, so they can go on any age vehicle.
  • Suffix plates — issued 1963–1983 (e.g. ABC 123A). The letter at the end indicates the year.
  • Prefix plates — issued 1983–2001 (e.g. A123 ABC). The letter at the start indicates the year.
  • Current style plates — issued from 2001 onwards (e.g. AB51 ABC). The most common format today.

How Much Does a Cherished Number Plate Cost?

Prices vary enormously depending on desirability:

  • Budget options — from as little as £250–£500 for less sought-after combinations
  • Mid-range — £500–£5,000 for popular initials or short words
  • Premium & dateless — £5,000 to hundreds of thousands for highly sought plates like 1 A or F 1

The price is driven by how closely the plate resembles a name or word, its age, and how rare the combination is.

Are Cherished Plates a Good Investment?

Many cherished plates — particularly dateless and short combinations — have increased significantly in value over time. While not guaranteed, premium private plates are often seen as a tangible asset that holds or grows in value, unlike most car accessories.

How The Reg Finder Can Help

At The Reg Finder, we search the entire market to find the perfect personalised plate for your budget — whether you're looking for something sentimental, prestigious, or simply fun. Get in touchand let us do the hard work for you.