With the DVLA set to launch their new 57-series of personalised registration plates, new research out today by eBayMotors.co.uk reveals a  growing trend among UK motorists who spend tens of thousands of pounds on CR8ZY private plates for their motors.

With car accessories selling every 11 seconds, eBayMotors.co.uk tapped into its vast trading archives to prove that personalised plates are now more popular than ever, with year on year sales growing at 23%.

The trading index also shows higher sale values on personalised plates since Brits first started privately trading plates on eBay in 2001.

The most expensive personalised number plates sold on eBayMotors.co.uk include:

• 1 STUD (£14,947)
• ELV111S (£10,865)
• Plus Liverpool football star Dirk Kuyt’s K11YTD (£7,174)

Personalised number plates are no longer luxuries enjoyed only by the rich and famous. UK motorists are following the trend set by David Beckham and WAGS by splashing out on their own favourite plates.

Lancashire is the nation’s hotspot with 147% more plates bought in the football-mad county than local Derbyshire. The top five counties for personalised number plates are:

• Lancashire
• West Midlands
• Essex
• West Yorkshire
• London

Commenting on the research, Jody Ford of eBayMotors.co.uk says, “For many, it’ll come as no surprise that those counties with the highest population of footballers and WAGS are the UK hotspots for personalised number plates – who would have guessed that Essex would be in the top 5!

“It just goes to show that as plates become more affordable, they are becoming more popular. For a few thousand pounds you could buy a one-off registration that gives your car personality and be the envy of all other drivers on the road. With thousands of plates for sale on eBayMotors.co.uk at any one time, there’s sure to be something available to suit all tastes.”