How Much Is A Private Registration Plate Really Worth

Those of you who have ever decided to splash out on a privatised registration plate will know that once you get beyond the obscure variations on barely relevant nicknames, things get pricey! But with the rich and famous, just exactly how much are they willing to spend on a piece of white plastic on the bumper of their supercars.

One of the best known expensive number plates is one that arrogantly pronounces itself and the importance of the owner behind the wheel, 'VIP 1' was originally commissioned for use on Pope John Paul II's popemobile. It is now owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich who reportedly paid 285,000 for the privilege of being recognised as 'the number one VIP'.

BT Cellnet paid Liverpool's Mike McCoomb over 40m for his mobile phone store in 2000. A business deal which allowed him to do things like spend 330,000 on the number plate 'M1' for his six year old son. Unfortunately he won't be able to drive for nine more years but it doesn't matter as he probably doesn't know what M1 is supposed to mean.

McCoomb's record was broken by Afzal Kahn, a Bradford entrepreneur by spending 440,000 on his 'F1' number plate which he duly mounted on his Mercedes SLR McLaren, designed by the actual F1 McLaren team. Considering the riches involved in Formula one racing, Kahn believes he was lucky to only pay that much as he believes it could have gone for much more.

The world record for the most expensive number plate ever sold was not in Britain but the rich Arab state of Abu Dhabi. Saeed Abdul Ghaffer Khouri, from one of the country's richest families paid nearly 8m for a prized '1' number plate. In the car culture of Abu Dhabi's, single digit number plates are the most sought after and obviously number one is considered the best. Khouri has not made it clear which car he will be adorning with the number plate but it is certain that whatever he puts it on; the number plate will be worth many times more.