Could this be the UK's most expensive private number plate?

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Certain Private plates

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can command astonishing prices when sold, with the UK's record currently standing at £518,000 for the plate "25 O".

Sold in 2014 to a Ferrari dealer, it's believed that this plate now sits on a Ferrari 250SWB formerly owned by Eric Clapton, worth in the region of £10m.

Now, though, it's looking like this record is set to be smashed, with the latest in a line of expensive DVLA number plates expected to fetch in the region of £1m at a private auction. 

This auction has fuelled plenty of controversy, as it is open only to individuals and organisations who have been invited. If the plate failed to sell at this private auction, then and only then would it be made available to the general public at auction in 2018.

The plate, which reads SR18APS, honours the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu temple in Neasden, London, with its valuation having been given as £995,000. Bidding at the private auction was expected to end on Christmas Day 2017, but the outcome has not yet been revealed. The latest news was that the highest bid to date in early December was £551,000 - already smashing the previous record sum paid for a private plate. 

The fact that the plate is being sold at private auction has upset members of the Hindu community, who have stated that many Shri BAPS followers have the funds to bid on the plate, but have not been invited to do so. And with no reserve value placed on the SR18APS plate, it's looking like there will be no opportunity for them to do so in 2018 either.

This isn't the first time that a private number plate has commanded a huge price within the Hindu community. In 2015, a plate reading KR15 HNA - or Krishna, the Hindu deity - was sold at auction in Chesterfield. Bidding started at £27,000, but the plate was eventually snapped up by an Indian businesswoman for a staggering £233,000 - which made it the most expensive modern plate ever sold by the DVLA at the time. At the same auction, a similar plate - KR15 HAN - also sold for £98,500.

I Spy Number Plate by I See Modern Britain licensed under Creative commons 4

Source: http://privateplateco.hatenablog.com/entry/2018/01/25/233343

New Year, New Car, New Private Plate?

We're now into 2018 and if you're thinking of buying a new car this year, you might not be aware that you can select new '18' private number plates right now.

New number plates issued in January and February will still use '17' because the next change in the sequence of DVLA number plates, bringing '18' plates in, isn't until 1st March 2018. Many people have been waiting for the 18 plate to come out but won't have realised they can actually buy them already.

Get ready for March now!

DVLA regulations mean an '18' plate has to go on a car first registered on or after 1st March 2018, so you'll have to buy a new car then register it on or after this date. A dealer will be able to help you order a new car then hold it until it can be used legally with your new plate.

But you can already buy an '18' plate and keep it on a retention certificate until the car is ready. In fact, it's been possible to purchase the rights to '18' plates since 1st December 2017. The DVLA releases upcoming number series on the 1st December and 1st June each year.

What's so special about 18?

People often buy cherished number plates as gifts and 18 is a special year for teenagers. So an '18' plate with a child's initials would obviously be very special. The only caveat is that parents or other relatives will have to buy a new car and wait until 1st March to register it.

Another benefit of '18' is the ability to create words and names using "IB", "LB" or, at a pinch, "IO" and "LO". So people with surnames like Dalby, Dolby, Welburn, Baldry or Talbot might finally be able to find personalised number plates that suit them. As many suitable surnames aren't that common, demand could be low, meaning relatively cheap private plates.

Search for your '18' plate now

If you're one of the people who's been waiting to get an '18' number plateThe Private Plate Company, is here to help. Just use our easy search function to select the plate you need and we'll do the rest.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/new-year-new-car-new-private-plate.html

Give The Gift of Private Number Plates This Christmas

The festive season is just around the corner and here at ThePrivatePlateCo, we think that personalised number plates make great Christmas gifts. Are you considering buying one of your loved ones a private number plate for Christmas this year? If so, we'd like to offer you some advice. Buying a suitable private number plate can be quick and simple, but only if you know what you're doing. That's why we're devoting today's blog to helping you understand how to find high-quality, legitimate private number plates.

1. Know the law

All number plates have to conform to certain conventions. For example, their lettering can't be italicised or otherwise stylised. What's more, the first two digits of a number plate (representing the year the registration came into being) can't exceed the year that the car was manufactured. Obviously, all number plates also have to represent real DVLA registrations. On the 23rd of August, the DVLA also banned a number of specific plates that they believed might cause offence, thereby making it even harder to know which plates might be legal. Trying to memorise every single law surrounding number plates isn't advisable or necessary, however. You can ensure that you obey the law by buying yourpersonalised plates from a reputable dealer that only sells legal DVLA number plates.

2. Look for something distinctive and specific

For obvious reasons, there can only be one number plate with any specific registration. As a result, trying to find a number plate that features a particularly popular word or phrase may be tricky. Instead, we suggest searching for a number plate that includes a word or phrase that holds particular significance to the person you're buying it for…and nobody else. You're much more likely to find what you need in time for Christmas, and at a better price.

3. Be open to inspiration

You may not find the exact plate you want, regardless of how hard you search. But don't panic. If you're open to inspiration and new ideas, you'll see plenty of plates you could choose.

If you want to buy someone private number plates for Christmas, following the advice we've given in today's blog will make the process much simpler. We supply a huge number of plates across the UK, and we work closely with the DVLA for a quick turnaround time, so take a look through our selection today. In fact we also offer a Christmas Day transfer where we guarantee to have your registration transferred on Christmas Day.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/give-the-gift-of-private-number-plates-this-christmas.html

Three 2018 Sports Cars That Won't Break The Bank to Own

Modern car technology has advanced to a point where it is becoming more affordable than ever to own the sports car of your dreams. Many still consider a true sports car to come in above £100,000 and be limited to millionaires and not the everyday worker. However, times are changing and there are a number of reasonably priced sports cars that do everything that a more expensive one would. For some inspiration, here are three new 2018 sports cars that come in at under £40,000.

1. Lexus RC

The Lexus RC brings together many of the aesthetic elements we love in other Lexus cars. The model starts at just £33,500 and, depending on which one you purchase, can pack up to 311 horsepower with a 3.5-litre V6 engine. The interiors are stunning with a choice of Stratus, Playa, Flaxen, Gray, Black or Rioja Red interior coupled with wooden trim. Technology-wise, it has some of the best features Lexus offers, such as a new 10.3" standard navigation screen.

2. BMW 230i Xdrive

Compared to the 2017 model, BMW has given this car an impressive boost and for just £25,000 it's an absolute steal. To help make it feel like a true high-quality sports car it comes with four drive modes which are Comfort, Sport, Sport-Plus and Eco-Pro. Not only does it look fantastic both in and out, but it handles superbly as well. Beyond this, it's practical, coming in at around between 24 and 33 miles per gallon, and there's plenty of room for the kids and groceries if need be.

3. Audi A3 Cabriolet

Coming in at just £29,000, the Audi A3 Cabriolet is just as much of a bargain as the BMW and Lexus. Despite this cheap starting price, the interior of the car is expertly finished with great quality materials, heated front seats and aluminium accents throughout. You may be able to fit the kids in the back, but beyond that, this car is designed with speed and style in mind. It comes in either a two-door convertible or four-door saloon, making it a possible buy regardless of your circumstances.

The look of owning a sports car isn't truly complete without first purchasing your own private number plate. We have built a handy search tool that allows you to search for which plates are available for you to purchase today and fit to your brand new car. Just head to the top of this page and get started now.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/three-2018-sports-cars-that-wont-break-the-bank-to-own.html

Have You Considered a Private Number Plate for Your Motorcycle?

At The Private Plate Company, we have now sold over 200,000 cherished number plates and most of them have been for private cars. Sometimes they are for companies that have realised the extra brand recognition that the rightpersonalised car registrations can give them, but usually our customers are private individuals looking for a combination of initials and numbers that represent their name, or sometimes their car make or model.

But many drivers are coming to realise that they can find cheap private plates to suit motorcycles rather than cars. Why is this?

It's all down to the names

Some motorcycle brands use names, such as, for example, Triumph's Bonneville, Trophy or Tiger, or Harley Davidson's Sportster, Softail and so on. You might well be able to find registrations that suit those names, but you'd be competing with all the people looking for private number plates that create words.

However, the vast majority of motorcycles, particularly Japanese bikes, are known by acronyms. This is because Japanese law prevents manufacturers from using any word that could be construed as aggressive or encouraging speed or danger. Hence names like the Datsun Fairlady (240Z) or Bluebird. When it comes to motorcycles, even the Kawasaki Ninja can't be called that in its native country.

Rare combinations

That's why we have model names like Suzuki's GSX and GSR ranges, The Kawasaki ZXR and ZZR, Honda's CBR and CBX and the Yamaha FZR and TDM, to name just a few. Many of these combinations don't occur naturally in our language and are rarely used in people's initials, so motorcycle owners won't be competing for the same personalised number plates as car owners.

There are also far fewer motorcycles than cars on the roads, so when it comes to private plates, UK motorcycle owners have a far better chance of picking up DVLA number plates that suit them, at a keener price.

Look for your cheap private plate

If you have a motorcycle and want to set yourself apart from the crowd, why not have a quick search through thethousands of private car registrations we have on offer and bag yourself a plate that the car owners won't be looking for?

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/have-you-considered-a-private-number-plate-for-your-motorcycle.html

How Close are Driverless Cars?

Talk of driverless cars is increasingly common. A number of major automotive manufacturers are believed to be testing autonomous vehicles, and they are a common sight on roads around the Silicon Valley.

On paper (or computer data) this seems the next logical step. After all, thanks to IoT, onboard sensors, GPS, cameras and technological geniuses, cars can now complete all sorts of manoeuvres independently of their driver.

So why shouldn't we all get in line for connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) to take us around with no effort required?

The driverless car skeptics

There are many people who believe this would be a step too far.

After all, for all the talk of Artificial Intelligence, there are no computer programmes yet to cope with the vagaries of human life.

The theory is that the driverless car's AI system would assimilate data over time – with testing - much as a driver takes in experience and grows their knowledge.

However, at what point is a driverless car going to be able to anticipate the erratic behaviour of pedestrians or cyclists, for example? Or the actions of that driver who cuts you up, to exit a motorway?

It seems far fetched that CAV cars could store the amount of data it takes to deal with the many every day traffic situations that rely on human instinct and intuition.

Data to replace drivers

Also, there is concern that automation requires a level of data that transcends what is acceptable to store and share. There are ethical, privacy and security fears about the amount of information needed to help machines to replicate human interaction.

The British love their cars

Most importantly, getting behind the wheel of your vehicle and being the one in control is central to car ownership in the first place.

The nation's passion for personalised number plates perfectly illustrates the connection they have with their cars, and the way it reflects their own personalities and preferences.

The applications of autonomous cars, therefore, could well become limited to such things as driverless deliveries or road measurement and maintenance projects.

Whatever the future holds, if you love your car, get in touch today to find personalised numberplates to show the world you are proud to be behind the wheel.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/how-close-are-driverless-cars.html

Looking to Buy a '67 Plate? We Take a Look at Some of the Latest Models.

Aston Martin

Aston Martin last introduced a new car in 2012, when they launched the highly regarded Vanquis. This year saw the release of the DB11, a luxury sports car with a powerful 5.2-litre engine.

Audi

The latest Audi on the market is the RS3, which is available as a saloon or hatchback. As the range expands, Audi have also introduced the sporty SQ5, the RS5 and the latest A8. The A8 is highly regarded thanks to its groundbreaking technology which is setting new standards for autonomous driving.

BMW

The latest X3 SUV is hitting the showrooms, as the 3rd generation model it has been long anticipated. BMW have positioned the new X3 to be competitively priced than the older models, so will be a very popular mid-sized SUV.

Ford

The biggest news for Ford is the release of the 7th generation Fiesta. The range is to include some luxury designs such as the ST and the Vignale. The newest Fiesta is the most competitive and feature-packed supermini which Ford has ever manufactured.

Jaguar

The highly anticipated E-PACE from Jaguar is the most exciting news from the luxury car brand this year. The compact SUV is designed around the Range Rover Evoque and is predicted to become the largest seller for the brand.

Renault

The latest from a line of new models released in 2017 are the brand's SUV models which include the Captur, Koleos and the Kadjar. The Captur SUV is predicted to be the most popular of the SUV range, thanks to its compact design.

Skoda

2017 sees the launch of two SUVs, the Karow and the Kodiaq. The rest of the Skoda models have also been heavily revised with facelifts, updates and new engines.

If you are thinking of purchasing a new car and would like to install private number plates or move your plates across from your old car, we can help. As our offices are close to the DVLA head office in Swansea, we are able to provide a quicker turnaround than most personalised plates businesses. If you would like more information please contact us.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/looking-to-buy-a-67-plate-we-take-a-look-at-some-of-the-latest-models.html