The number plate RAF 1 sold for £223,200 including fees at RM Sotheby's London auction on 31 October 2026. An online bidder won lot 103 with a hammer price of £180,000, making it the second-highest price we have recorded for a three-letter Number 1 registration.
The same sale also included 2 PAC, which sold for £34,720. It was the auction at which 1 F set the UK record of £926,000 in November 2025.
How much did RAF 1 sell for?
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Hammer price | £180,000 |
| Buyer's premium (20%) | £36,000 |
| VAT on the premium (20%) | £7,200 |
| Total paid | £223,200 |
RM Sotheby's charged a 20% buyer's premium plus VAT on that premium, so the fees added 24% to the hammer price. The DVLA's £80 assignment fee is not included.
Where has RAF 1 been seen?
RAF 1 had been with the same owner for more than 30 years before the sale. It was a familiar sight in London on a blue Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC, where it was displayed on traditional black and silver plates.
The new owner of RAF 1 has already been in touch with NumberPlates.org! If you have photographs of RAF 1 or 2 PAC on the road, contact us.
How does RAF 1 compare with other Number 1 plates?
Among three-letter Number 1 registrations with an exact recorded price, only VIP 1 has sold for more:
| Registration | Total price | Sold | Sold through |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIP 1 | £285,000 | July 2006 | Wilsons Auctions |
| RAF 1 | £223,200 | October 2026 | RM Sotheby's |
| LSK 1 | £205,520 | October 2021 | DVLA |
| ACE 1 | £182,900 | September 2026 | Bonhams |
Most three-letter Number 1 registrations sell for around £12,000 to £15,000. Those that read as a word, a name or a well-known abbreviation, as RAF 1 does, sell for many times more. RAF 1 is also the fifth most expensive registration sold in 2026 so far in our records, behind 2 X, 9 X, F80 FER and 1 NR. See our guide to Number 1 plates for more.
How much did 2 PAC sell for?
2 PAC sold for a hammer price of £28,000, or £34,720 including fees. It was first sold by the DVLA in February 2004 for a hammer price of £13,000 (£16,501 including fees), so its hammer price has more than doubled in 22 years. The registration reads as 2PAC, the stage name of the rapper Tupac Shakur.
Frequently asked questions
Who bought RAF 1?
The buyer has not been named. The lot was won by an online bidder.
Can RAF 1 go on any car?
Yes. RAF 1 is a dateless registration, so it does not show the age of the vehicle and can be assigned to a vehicle of any age.
Where can I see other recent number plate sales?
Every recorded sale is searchable in our Sales Explorer, and the biggest sales are listed in the most expensive number plate sales.