Car number plate AA17 sold for Dh8 million in Dubai

RTA's 116th open auction earns Dh69.137 million in total

Car number plate AA17 sold for Dh8 million in Dubai
Caption: The 116th open auction was organised by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Saturday.
Source: Supplied

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) saw a huge success at its 116th open auction, with a car number plate AA17 selling for an impressive Dh8.02 million on Saturday.

The auction, held at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, garnered Dh69.137 million in total, featuring 90 exclusive plates.

What made AA17 stand out?

Plate number AA17 was the top-selling item of the auction, drawing significant interest and fetching a final bid of Dh8.02 million. Distinguished plates like AA17 are highly coveted by collectors and luxury car owners, symbolizing prestige and personal significance, which often drives their prices to such remarkable levels.

What other number plates fetched high prices?

Alongside AA17, several other plates saw high bids, with Y1000 selling for Dh4.55 million, V96 going for Dh4.1 million, and AA333 fetching Dh3.01 million. These plates, featuring unique combinations of letters and numbers, are considered prized assets in the UAE.

 RTA's 116th open auction earns Dh69.137 million in total.

What number plates were up for auction?

The RTA offered a variety of 2, 3, 4, and 5-digit plates during the event, featuring letter codes such as AA, L, N, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z. These plates often hold personal value for their buyers, representing important dates, initials, or symbolic milestones.

Why are Dubai RTA auctions so popular?

Dubai's number plate auctions are known for their transparency and fairness, ensuring a level playing field for all participants. RTA’s well-planned strategy for both public and online auctions allows number plate enthusiasts to bid on plates that carry sentimental or status-driven value, making them a symbol of luxury and distinction.

How to bid in an RTA auction?

Bidders must have a traffic file in Dubai, submit a security cheque of Dh25,000, and pay a non-refundable auction fee of Dh120. The sale of number plates is also subject to a 5 percent VAT. These conditions ensure that the auctions are open to serious buyers only.