for the info of non uk residents wondering why we fuss about march deliveries, september deliveries etc.
Since 2001 the uk number plates change twice year ,1 march and 1 september. for example New cars registered from 1 march 2022 will get 22 as the year designator until the 1st of september when they add 5 to the first digit. Cars registered september 2022 until february 2023 will thus get the year designation 72 ,changing to 23 in March 2023
This complicated system is to please the motor trade, who complained that most cars were registered in january, distorting trade. Now there are three peak sales times. 1st January , to get a car registered actually in 2022, 1 march, to get the new 22 pate, and september to get the new 72 plate.
Used car values are influenced by whether a car is 22 or 72, cos thats what neighbours see. , but actual year can also affect it . A car registered in 2022 but on a 71 plate may be worth more than a 2021 car on a 71 plate, but not as much as 2022 car on a 22 plate. Dealers who have manufacturers sales targets to meet often preregister cars with the plate thats due to expire , so they can shift stock at a slightly lower price, without upsetting those insisting on the latest number plate.
Its also possible to transfer a cherished number plate that you own the rights to, so new cars can appear with plates that predate this sytem.
DVLA (driver and vehicle licencing authority,) wont issue a number if they think it could be read as something offensive and if they think its something people might want (such as a looking like a name) you may have to pay them a fee to get it.
