Personalization is a form of self-expression that lots of people strive for, as for some it is better to stand out from the crowd rather than blending in with everyone else.

Investing in a custom number plate is just one way of letting the world know who you are and what you are all about, and they have been popular for almost as long as the auto industry has existed.

So what is it about personalized vehicle registrations that gets people interested, and how has this trend evolved over the years?

Keeping your car current

One of the most overlooked reasons for finding the perfect registration plate which has been customized to your requirements is that this lets you hide the age of your car and also keep other details about its origins a secret.

You might do this for a variety of reasons, but it is mostly about allowing your vehicle of choice to still seem fresh and relevant even if it is a few years old. So long as the manufacturer maintains the same aesthetic exterior design, no one else will be any the wiser if you have a custom plate affixed to it rather than the standard one issued by the dealer.

Celebrating a special occasion

For a lot of people, personalized plates are desirable not just for their own uses, but also as an excellent gift option for friends, family and loved ones.

You can get plates that represent the recipient down to a tee, and this is one of the most thoughtful and enduring gifts you can buy, as well as being one that is out of the ordinary and entirely unexpected.

Getting the right combination of numbers and letters can be tricky, although if you get inventive then a custom number plate is a gift like no other, and will be enjoyed for years to come.

Making an investment

Not all custom plates are hugely expensive to acquire, but there are some which not only maintain their value over time but actually appreciate in worth.

In certain instances people have paid millions for a registration which is truly one-of-a-kind and guaranteed to turn heads in the kinds of circles they move in.

As with any investment, when you buy a custom number plate you are not guaranteed to make a return, but that does not stop some buyers speculating on registrations that they think might net them a profit in the long run.

Making strangers laugh

The humorous side of bespoke car registrations is the final selling point worth mentioning, and if you want to put a smile on the face of the people who pass your vehicle in the street, then this is certainly possible if you make the right choices.

This even extends into the world of business, where custom registrations can promote products and brands on company fleets.

Our love affair with personalized plates looks set to continue for as long as there are cars on the roads, and being able to order them online is opening up the market to a new generation of drivers.