About Suffix Number Plates

Suffix Number Plates: The Complete Guide

Suffix number plates are UK registrations that end with a letter identifying the age of the vehicle. They were issued to new vehicles between February 1963 and July 1983, replacing dateless registrations before being replaced themselves by prefix number plates.

A typical suffix registration takes the form ABC 123A. The registration begins with three letters, followed by one to three numbers, with the final letter acting as the age identifier.

What is a suffix number plate?

A suffix number plate is a registration where the final letter identifies the registration's age.

The format consists of:

• three letters at the beginning;
• one, two or three numbers; and
• one age-identifying letter at the end.

Examples include:

• ABC 1A
• ABC 12A
• ABC 123A

The final letter is known as the suffix, which is where the format gets its name.

Suffix registrations contain three letters, followed by one to three numbers and a final age-identifying letter.

When were suffix number plates introduced?

Suffix number plates were introduced in February 1963.

Before this, mainland British registrations were dateless and contained no character identifying the age of the vehicle. Increasing vehicle ownership meant registration combinations were becoming increasingly difficult to issue, so an additional letter was added to create more combinations while also identifying the registration period.

Suffix registrations remained in use until July 1983. From August 1983, the system was reversed and the age-identifying letter moved to the beginning of the registration, creating prefix number plates.

What year is my suffix number plate?

The final letter of a suffix registration identifies the period in which the registration was originally issued.

The first four suffix letters were initially changed around the beginning of each calendar year. This system changed during 1967, after which the new age letter was normally introduced each August.

• A – February 1963 to December 1963
• B – January 1964 to December 1964
• C – January 1965 to December 1965
• D – January 1966 to December 1966
• E – January 1967 to July 1967
• F – August 1967 to July 1968
• G – August 1968 to July 1969
• H – August 1969 to July 1970
• J – August 1970 to July 1971
• K – August 1971 to July 1972
• L – August 1972 to July 1973
• M – August 1973 to July 1974
• N – August 1974 to July 1975
• P – August 1975 to July 1976
• R – August 1976 to July 1977
• S – August 1977 to July 1978
• T – August 1978 to July 1979
• V – August 1979 to July 1980
• W – August 1980 to July 1981
• X – August 1981 to July 1982
• Y – August 1982 to July 1983

The letters I, O, Q, U and Z were not used as suffix age identifiers.

How do suffix number plates work?

Each part of a suffix registration originally served a purpose.

Take ABC 123L as an example.

The first three letters form the registration's letter sequence. Historically, part of this sequence identified the local authority or licensing area responsible for issuing the registration.

The number follows and can contain between one and three digits.

The final L is the age identifier. An L-suffix registration was originally issued between August 1972 and July 1973.

For private plate buyers today, the original issuing area is often less important than the way the letters and numbers combine to create initials, names or recognisable words.

Can a suffix plate go on any car?

No. Suffix registrations contain an age identifier, so they cannot be used to make a vehicle appear newer than it actually is.

For example, an L-suffix registration dates from the 1972–1973 registration period. It can generally be assigned to an eligible vehicle from that period or later, but it cannot be used on a vehicle that is older if doing so would make the vehicle appear newer.

A suffix registration can generally be assigned to a newer eligible vehicle because displaying an older registration does not make the vehicle appear newer than it really is.

Can I put an A-suffix plate on a modern car?

Yes.

An A-suffix registration dates from 1963 and can generally be assigned to a modern eligible vehicle because it would make the vehicle appear older rather than newer.

The age restriction only prevents a registration being assigned where its age identifier would make the receiving vehicle appear newer than its actual age.

What letters were not used on suffix number plates?

The suffix age-letter sequence skipped I, O, Q, U and Z.

This is why the sequence moves from H to J, N to P, P to R and T to V before eventually ending with Y.

Q registrations are separate from normal suffix registrations and are used in circumstances where a vehicle's age or identity cannot be established.

How much is a suffix number plate worth?

Suffix number plate values vary enormously depending on the exact combination.

Ordinary examples may have relatively modest values, while registrations that clearly represent names or recognisable words can be worth tens of thousands of pounds. The very best publicly recorded suffix registrations have sold for more than £300,000 including fees and taxes.

The main factors affecting value include:

The number

Lower numbers are generally more desirable.

The number 1 is particularly useful in suffix registrations because it can resemble the letter I and help turn a registration into a name or word.

Examples include DEV 1L, MUS 1C, COL 1N and DAV 1D.

The first three letters

The opening three letters can represent initials, a name, a business, a brand or the beginning of a recognisable word.

Combinations that have obvious meaning tend to attract a larger potential buyer market than arbitrary letters.

The final age letter

The suffix letter can sometimes become part of the name or word created by the registration.

For example, the final letters of DEV 1L, BEA 5T and OAS 1S are essential to the way each registration reads.

How well the complete registration reads

Readability is one of the most important factors in the suffix market.

A registration that immediately resembles a familiar name or word can be worth significantly more than another plate of exactly the same length.

Previous sales

Comparable sales provide useful evidence when valuing a suffix registration.

Our Number Plate Sales Explorer contains more than 220,000 recorded UK number plate sales, including historic suffix registrations sold by DVLA and other auction houses.

Current competition

A good registration can still be difficult to sell at a particular price if similar alternatives are available for considerably less.

A realistic valuation therefore needs to consider both historic sale evidence and registrations currently available to buyers.

If you own a suffix registration, you can request a free number plate valuation based on comparable sales and current market evidence.

The most expensive suffix number plates ever sold

The most valuable suffix registrations tend to be those that create recognisable names, words or expressions when the letters and numbers are read together.

Below are the 15 most expensive publicly recorded suffix number plate sales in the NumberPlates.org database, ranked by the total recorded sale price including auction fees and taxes where applicable.

1. DEV 1L – £308,253 total (£240,010 hammer), DVLA, December 2021
2. BEA 5T – £137,424 total (£111,120 hammer), DVLA, June 2026
3. ELL 10T – £103,840 total (£80,810 hammer), DVLA, September 2025
4. DEO 1S – £102,813 total (£80,010 hammer), DVLA, January 2023
5. PAT 3K – £100,165 total (£78,010 hammer), DVLA, May 2022
6. GOB 1G – £94,836 total (£73,860 hammer), DVLA, July 2021
7. MUS 1C – £82,225 total (£65,000 hammer), DVLA, December 1989
8. PAK 157N – £82,060 total (£63,910 hammer), DVLA, January 2022
9. MAR 1E – £81,472 total (£76,000 hammer), Collecting Cars, October 2023
10. COL 1N – £78,841 total (£61,000 hammer), DVLA, June 1999
11. ELV 1S – £75,900 total (£60,000 hammer), DVLA, December 1990
12. OAS 1S – £71,955 total (£56,040 hammer), DVLA, June 2025
13. SCR 4P – £68,209 total (£54,000 hammer), DVLA, June 2005
14. BTC 500X – £65,497 total (£51,010 hammer), DVLA, May 2021
15. DAV 1D – £64,623 total (£50,000 hammer), DVLA, December 1991

The results demonstrate how valuable readability can be. Registrations such as DEV 1L, BEA 5T, PAT 3K, MUS 1C, MAR 1E, ELV 1S and DAV 1D all closely resemble recognisable words or names.

Are suffix number plates more valuable than prefix plates?

Not necessarily.

Suffix registrations are older and fewer were originally issued, but the format alone does not determine value.

An exceptional prefix registration that forms a perfect name or word can be worth considerably more than an ordinary suffix registration, while a highly desirable suffix plate can outperform the majority of prefix plates.

The individual letters, numbers, readability and buyer demand matter far more than simply whether a registration is prefix or suffix.

Are suffix number plates more valuable than dateless plates?

Generally, the very best dateless registrations occupy a higher part of the market because they can be exceptionally short, are extremely scarce and contain no age identifier.

That does not mean every dateless registration is worth more than every suffix registration.

A suffix plate forming a highly desirable name or word can be worth significantly more than an ordinary six-character dateless registration.

Are suffix number plates a good investment?

Some suffix registrations have increased substantially in value, but there is no guarantee that an individual registration will appreciate.

The strongest examples tend to combine characteristics such as:

• a low number, particularly 1;
• a recognisable name or word;
• desirable initials;
• strong readability;
• limited close alternatives;
• documented previous sales; and
• consistent buyer demand.

A registration should be valued on the strength of the individual combination rather than simply because it is an older suffix plate.

Can I still buy suffix number plates?

Yes.

Suffix registrations are still actively bought and sold even though they have not been issued as the standard format for new vehicles since 1983.

DVLA auctions

Unlike prefix and current-style registrations, suffix-style registrations released directly by DVLA are only sold through DVLA auctions. DVLA Personalised Registrations

Particularly attractive previously unissued suffix combinations continue to appear in DVLA auctions.

Number plate dealers and marketplaces

Suffix registrations are also available from specialist dealers and private sellers.

We have a searchable selection of private number plates for sale, including suffix registrations owned by us and registrations listed by their current holders.

Private sales

A suffix registration can also be bought directly from another person.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does suffix number plate mean?

A suffix number plate is a UK registration where the final letter acts as the age identifier. It normally consists of three letters, one to three numbers and a final letter, for example ABC 123A.

When were suffix plates used?

Suffix registrations were issued to new vehicles between February 1963 and July 1983.

What was the first suffix registration letter?

A was the first suffix age identifier and was introduced in February 1963.

What was the last suffix registration letter?

Y was the final suffix age identifier. Y-suffix registrations were issued from August 1982 until July 1983 before prefix registrations were introduced in August 1983.

Why were I, O, Q, U and Z not used as suffix letters?

These letters were excluded from the normal suffix age sequence. Some were avoided because of potential confusion with other characters, while Q had a separate use within the vehicle registration system.

Can I put a suffix plate on an older car?

Only if the suffix does not make the vehicle appear newer than it actually is. A registration cannot be assigned where its age identifier represents a later registration period than the receiving vehicle.

Can I put a suffix plate on a newer car?

Yes. An older suffix registration can generally be assigned to a newer eligible vehicle because doing so does not make the vehicle appear newer.

Are suffix number plates valuable?

Some are extremely valuable. Ordinary combinations can have relatively modest values, while registrations forming names, words or desirable initials can sell for tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds.

What is the most expensive suffix number plate ever sold?

The highest publicly recorded suffix registration in the NumberPlates.org sales database is DEV 1L. It sold through DVLA in December 2021 for a hammer price of £240,010 and a total recorded price of £308,253 including fees and taxes.

Can I buy suffix registrations directly from DVLA?

Yes, but suffix-style registrations released directly by DVLA are sold through its auctions rather than its normal fixed-price registration search.

Can I transfer a suffix registration?

Yes – see our number plate transfer guide. It can be transferred provided the registration is transferable and the receiving vehicle meets the normal eligibility and age requirements.

Can I sell a suffix number plate?

Yes. A suffix registration can be sold while assigned to a vehicle or while held on a valid V750 or V778, although the process differs depending on where the registration is currently held.

How do I value a suffix number plate?

Compare genuine previous sales for similar registrations and consider the number, opening letters, final suffix letter, readability, name or word represented, current competition and overall buyer demand. Dealer asking prices alone should not be treated as proof of market value.