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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Personalised number plates

459 replies

Cleanbedsheets · 10/01/2024 11:24

Why do people spend so much money on these?

AIBU to think that the only possible reason for having a PNP is to be a bit braggy?

My DP wants to get me one for my upcoming birthday, I have said it is a waste of money and to not bother. DP doesn't understand.

Your thoughts?

OP posts:
SuddenlyOld · 10/01/2024 17:27

I love them.I don't have one but I've always wanted one. I'm a petrol head though. Cars mean more to me than transport.

I don't understand why people hate them. Why is it any skin off your nose? My DH thinks people who have them are entitled dicks (he knows I'd love one 😳 ). Why do they even matter? They aren't all expensive. You can get age related ones for less than £500. People on hear pay £2k for a handbag ffs

DewHopper · 10/01/2024 17:48

Paw2024 · 10/01/2024 13:21

Mine has my first horses name on, I love it. Was an 18th birthday present

Love this.

DonnaBanana · 10/01/2024 17:50

I don’t have a problem with them but they are absolutely a social signal of “I have enough financial security that I can waste money on something that has no intrinsic value beyond being a status symbol.”

Iwasafool · 10/01/2024 17:52

My DH bought one, think it was £250. Just looked up it's value and they reckon it is worth £3,200. I think it was quite a good investment.

DewHopper · 10/01/2024 17:52

MadameCamembert · 10/01/2024 16:30

I think reverse snobbery is tacky.
A bit like out competing to have the cheapest car.

I own one but don’t use it. I can’t imagine describing someone as a ‘twat’ over something so trivial!

Agreed.

SweetFemaleAttitude · 10/01/2024 17:53

They honestly make me think 'knobhead'

Aishah231 · 10/01/2024 17:54

DonnaBanana · 10/01/2024 17:50

I don’t have a problem with them but they are absolutely a social signal of “I have enough financial security that I can waste money on something that has no intrinsic value beyond being a status symbol.”

This! If people want to have one I couldn't really care less but it does seem wasteful to me.

bluebeck · 10/01/2024 17:55

I don’t think they’re a status symbol at all, not in my circles.

They’re more a sign of “more money than class”.

However, it’s not something I could get riled up about. Up to others how they spend their money. I am sure there are worse things.

DewHopper · 10/01/2024 17:56

SweetFemaleAttitude · 10/01/2024 17:53

They honestly make me think 'knobhead'

You must be quite socially insecure to feel that you need to judge and label people in this way. Same goes for a lot of the other people posting on this thread.

ArcticBells · 10/01/2024 18:33

My neighbour has one with lots of the letter X.

More appropriate would be (number)1DCK

Wellhellooooodear · 10/01/2024 18:33

They are an absolute mystery to me. I know very rich, old money types who have them and also chavvy/wannabe types who have them so they are not exclusiveto a certain demographic. My dad in his 70s, who has always been pretty frugal, recently got one and I was quite shocked! I really don't get it at all but I guess it's not my money or my business.

Est1990 · 10/01/2024 18:47

I find it tacky and can only think of footballers and rappers wanting them🤣

But reading this thread makes me realise:

a) the amount of people that are worried that others think their car is old (really?)

b) I didn't realise you could sell them and they can be worth more money later (this is amazing!!!)

So i would get one if i knew I could sell it years later for more money.

Laiste · 10/01/2024 18:58

Ostentatious is the word.
I think of them in the same sort of camp as too much chunky gold jewellery on either sex.

I mean i'm sure a lot of ostentatious people are perfectly nice, but most often the first and only impression is the car with it's vanity plate ...

LlynTegid · 10/01/2024 19:03

The only good thing is the amount raised for the public purse.

Iwasafool · 10/01/2024 19:43

Est1990 · 10/01/2024 18:47

I find it tacky and can only think of footballers and rappers wanting them🤣

But reading this thread makes me realise:

a) the amount of people that are worried that others think their car is old (really?)

b) I didn't realise you could sell them and they can be worth more money later (this is amazing!!!)

So i would get one if i knew I could sell it years later for more money.

I thought DH was mad wasting money on his but it has turned into a great investment. I'm not telling him what it's worth because it will just mean he was right and I was wrong and we have too much of that already!

ConsuelaHammock · 10/01/2024 19:55

I imagine quite a few of them are on cars bought on finance. Can’t afford the car but will spend money on a plate!?

BillyNotQuiteNoMates · 10/01/2024 22:09

I don’t see it as any different to anything else that you might spend your money on. I have a couple of pairs of shoes, many people have loads. I have enough candies to illuminate London for a month. I own several (imo) “good” pieces of art. I have a hair cut approx three times a year, and get my nails done occasionally at Xmas. None of those things makes me any better, or any less than anyone else. I spend my own money on what I want, and respect other peoples right to do the same. The only thing that I WOULD find weird, is someone spending a lot of money on something for someone that wouldn’t appreciate it. Your DP needs to listen to you, and get you a gift that means something to YOU, not him.

MadameCamembert · 10/01/2024 22:19

ConsuelaHammock · 10/01/2024 19:55

I imagine quite a few of them are on cars bought on finance. Can’t afford the car but will spend money on a plate!?

So you’re shocked about something that you’ve conjured up in your imagination? It sounds very ‘on benefits but probably have a smartphone and probably sky tv!!!!’

🙄

Interestingly, I know people of various titles with private plates. Not sure how that works with the chips on some shoulders!

Live & let live!

JaceLancs · 10/01/2024 22:21

Where I used to live regularly saw a rolls Royce with the plate 4 AMY and always wondered if it was bought for her!
Years ago you used to be able to buy numbers direct from the DVLA quite cheaply
it’s not something I’ve ever looked into

Noseybookworm · 10/01/2024 22:22

Each to their own but I think they're cringy and naff 😂 if you don't want one, tell him to give you the cash he would have spent instead and buy yourself something you'd actually like!

Comedycook · 10/01/2024 22:23

A bit vulgar imo. I wouldn't even bother to get one if I was a millionaire. I can't see any point

baileybrosbuildingandloan · 10/01/2024 22:27

quisensoucie · 10/01/2024 11:45

They are common. As in tacky

So is snobbery. As in tacky.

Ultravox · 10/01/2024 22:29

I’d love one simply because I’d never forget my number plate! Every time I get a new car it takes me until we sell the damn thing until I’ve remembered the plate

Joeslaol00 · 10/01/2024 22:30

Aah 24 years ago we got a personalised number plate for my lovely Mum . It really was brilliant and summed up my mum’s humour and personality.
Definitely not snobbery ,just a bit of fun . Cannot be arsed with number plates normally..a bit weird!

StressedEric · 10/01/2024 22:30

Some are actually really good investments- triple letters with single digits .

my son was given one as a birth gift and is now going to be sold for his house deposit Now he’s an adult