2008-08-12 16:56:21 - The current number plate style in the UK at the moment is still confusing people who cannot tell how old the car is by simply looking at the number plate. This could be a problem for some car buyers as fully legal number plates are an essential part of the car these days.

People cannot tell the age of cars by the number plates



This discovery was found when a survey from honestjohn.co.uk and British Car Auctions (BCA) what is even more surprising is that a third of drivers are not able to tell the age of a car by just looking at the number plate, whereas before the change they could.

'Although the new

registration system has been in existence since 2001, it seems many motorists just have not got to grips with it,' commented Tim Naylor, PR Manager for BCA. 'The age of a vehicle has a significant impact on its value, so it is crucial that sellers and buyers know how to identify this information to ensure they don't end up out of pocket.'

Naylor added: 'It seems the current system is far less understood than previous versions, where there was one change a year identified by a letter.'
'At BCA, a 2006 ‘56' BMW 318i saloon is currently averaging nearly £900 more than the 2006 ‘06' registered car. For a two to three year old Ford Focus, the change of plate can result in a £400 rise in value.'

He concluded: 'A used car is likely to be one of the most expensive purchases many people make, so it is essential to understand the basics. And that includes knowing the age and corresponding value indicated by the registration plate of the vehicle they are buying or selling.'

The survey was answered by over 1,200 people who were ask to identify the age of car by just looking at the number plates. The problem that occurs is they think that they are looking at the older number plates.

Source [Easier]

www.personallyyours.co.uk/blog/12082008.html

Personallyyours.co.uk who is registered with the DVLA has been in the personalised number plate industry for twenty years. They provide private number plates, rare number plates, attend number plate auctions and buy cherished number plates.