How naff are private plates?

[StillMedusa]

I know... I'm a bit sad, but I have seen a set of car plates that are perfect for my name..and I want them. But I don't drive a porche or anything posh..just my dear little Panda 4x4....

@Ifailed

spending money and going out of your way to put something on public display and then claim you don't care what others think is a bit odd.

Not really, they are doing it to make them happy What a ridiculous thing to say

Mine was around £800.. I can easily afford before anyone goes in about it being a waste .. I wanted to get dd a matching one with her car ( she is 17 ) but she said they are embarrassing 🤣🤣

So tacky. I always think how much more good that pointless spend would have done if it had just been donated to charity.

@enjoyingscience, how do you know what the owner of a private plate gives to charity, or not?

I just don't understand people having such strong thoughts on something so trivial as a private plate, I couldn't care less either way, shrug!

If its just your name/initials, or something along those lines, then I don't really give it much thought, but some neighbours have matching ones, along the lines of (won't put actual plate as outing!) hot bod 1 and hot bod 2, makes me cringe!

@Newfor2021

My parents bought me private plates for my 21st birthday...... there have been many times over the years the plates are worth waaaay more than the car they’re on! I used to find it funny

I generally inherit my husband's old cars when he replaces his. The last time, we didn't bother to change the plates. I love the car and won't get rid of it. So, 13 years on I'm driving a car that is worth much less than the plate

It makes me chuckle to myself. I love the car, I love the plate because it has sentimental value, and both are paid for! I don't care who might think it is 'naff', especially anyone foolish enough to be paying a fortune in monthlys as a way to be able to keep up with the latest reg!

@SnowyPetals

They are a total waste of money in my opinion. Every time I see someone driving a car with them I think "Attention-seeking twat".

I feel exactly the same about expensive designer handbags. I've had my plate for over 20 years and it cost less than a Mulberry

But mumsnet generally hates personal plates and loves handbags

I don't necessarily think they are tacky. The first time I remember seeing personalised number plates was outside the 5 star hotel on Park Lane in London that my Dad worked at. This was the 1980s so maybe it was more of a thing for wealthy people then. Personally I think they are a waste of money but I think the same about designer handbags and clothes so each to their own i guess. I also remember the 2nd time I saw personalised plates - my Dad was running a marathon and at the end there was a white bentley with JS 247 on the plate. It was Jimmy Savile's so maybe that put me off them for life (I met him that day - he was a creepy man).

I personally believe what people spend their money on isn't my business. Also, the day I can bring myself to judge someone based on their car numberplate is probably the day I give up.

I have one which was a gift. I hate it. It’s very distinctive - one number and two letters - cost a fortune (life changing money for many people) and means people are always saying “I saw you at / going / outside .....”. My car recently got stolen so the plate can’t be used for 6 months and I don’t miss it!

They are called vanity plates for a reason. Each to their own.

Time was there were far more expensive than they are now, and rare and well thought out for this reason. DM used to work for Securicor and had to arrange the security for “CAT 1” to auction at Sotheby’s where it was expected to reach £1M as a collectable plate in the late 80s/early 90s. Obviously, this is an extreme example.

About 20 years ago, with the advent of home internet, and the ability to search/design your own number plates via the DVLA website, the cost came down massively and they became less rare, especially those which are based on standard format. I love seeing the clever ones, that are non-standard format, and more costly. I don’t think they are naff at all. A bit flash, but so what? I used to live near “I AM 4T”.

I once rediscovered a friend I’d lost touch with, when I saw her husbands private plate in a car park.

Sorry but I am judgy about them ...really naff !

I don't understand spending money on shoes, jewellery, handbags, expensive clothes etc but I can see how those things can be practical and maybe make people feel good about themselves. I prefer spending any extra money on nice holidays because I enjoy the experience and having memories after.

I've never really understood personal plates because they don't have a practical use and I've never understood what "joy" people get from them like they might from other experiences like holiday and days out, or even eating nice food and drinking nice wine! This thread has been quite interesting as people have explained a bit more what joy they do get out of their license plates so I don't feel as judgy as I once did

Maximum naff points from me and yes I judge people with private plates

@Dobedohdahdee

Maximum naff points from me and yes I judge people with private plates

This. Totally

I live in an area which has the one of the highest amount of private plates per population. Usually on Audi 4x4s. The ones that make me laugh are those that nearly spell out somebody's name but use a 4 instead of an A for example.

However it does make it easier to spot bad drivers. I was nearly run off the road by a woman whose reg handily spelled out her name

I inherited mine and they were brought unwittingly before that - please dont judge everyone with them -

The DVLA website is great to play about with combinations. OH had a common first name which is often shortened and if you use this the plates are megabucks, but put in his 5 letter surname and it is the basic price

If people really do get fun out of a short sequence of letters & numbers, why not just write them down and have a look when they need cheering up?

@Ifailed

If people really do get fun out of a short sequence of letters & numbers, why not just write them down and have a look when they need cheering up?

You can say that about anything though, just look at photos of the shoes /books/handbags you want to buy, Another ridiculous comment

They are very popular here in Australia and I got some last year for my birthday. I love them.

The ones I find naff are the ones which relate to the (not very nice) car they're on, for instance I used to see a Ford Galaxy with G4LXY - cringe.

I have one which came with my previous car, that I kept on my current car to hide the age. It does reference the car (it includes the letters BMW ) but that's not cringe as it's a nice car

Putting one on a Fiat Panda (incidentally my first car) could either be very naff or quite funny. I'd probably think the car was driven by a little old lady, as round here, it's them who drive small cheap cars with very rare expensive plates on - presumably inherited.

Also getting in there before anyone else - the following plates referenced above can't exist in the UK!
R488 1T5
R 06 ERS
TO55ER
I AM 4T

Signed, a number plate wanker.

I can’t think of a any reason why I would want to spend money on a number plate for my car. It already has one that does the job and it came with the car. It is a complete waste of money. If you don’t like having money then give your money to someone who can do something useful with them, don’t spend hundreds on a piece of plastic tat.

Easier to be clocked by the police. It's a great way to draw attention to yourself.