Dubai’s obsession with unique car number plates reached new heights when plate BB 88 was sold for AED 14 million, making it the star of the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) latest auction. The figure marked the night’s highest bid and set the tone for an event that collectively raised AED 97.95 million, Khaleej Times reported.
The auction, held on Saturday, September 27, at the Grand Hyatt Dubai, saw intense competition among collectors and enthusiasts vying for 90 premium plates. Other big-ticket sales included Y 31, which went under the hammer for AED 6.27 million, while M 78 and BB 777 each fetched AED 6 million.
Premium plates with two, three, four, and five digits across categories AA, BB, K, L, M, N, P, Q, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z drew strong demand, reflecting how these unique numbers are seen as both status symbols and prized investments.
To take part, buyers were required to submit a refundable deposit of AED 25,000 and a registration fee of AED 120, with payments accepted via cheque or credit card. Registration was made available online, through RTA’s Customer Happiness Centres in Umm Ramool, Deira, and Al Barsha, or directly at the event.
The open auction format, offered both in person and online, has long been a Dubai tradition, blending prestige, competition, and the city’s enduring fascination with luxury symbols.
