Reg plate confusion hits prices

Experts at trade bible Glass’s Guide have studied the values of more than 100,000 three-year-old models. Their findings reveal that vehicles first registered between March and August – with a zero prefix for their age identifier – are typically worth £300 more.

Adrian Rushmore, managing editor of Glass’s, said: “Dealers consistently report a price premium for the March to August plate series, because people find it easier to identify the age of the vehicle.” As a result, canny second-hand buyers should be able to make a saving by targeting cars that first hit the roads between the months of September and February.

And this situation also represents good news for owners of models with an 03, 04, 05 or 06-registration. Again, they’re likely to be offered £300 more in part-exchange than someone trying to sell an identical vehicle which carries a 53, 54, 55 or 56-reg.

The twice-yearly plate change was first introduced in March 1999 in a bid to even out sales over the 12-month period, and the current system of seven-symbol registrations then followed in 2001.

However, as this research proves, many motorists are still struggling to get to grips with the significance of the figures. As the age identifier is buried in the middle of the number plate, it seems that a vehicle’s vintage is less obvious than it used to be.