New plates launch twice a year – in March and September – and these are by far the biggest months for new car sales according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The trend looks set to be repeated this year, with 287,825 cars registered in March 2023 – more than a quarter of all cars registered so far this year.
Read on to find out how the number plate system works, whether now is a good time to buy a new car and how to get the best deal whether you’re buying or selling.
: discover the new and used cars that aced our in-depth lab testsHow does the UK number plate system work?
The current UK number plate system has been in place since September 2001, with the ‘51’ plate the first to adhere to the new numbering system.
Every year, new number plates are introduced on 1 March and 1 September. The current ‘73’ plate superseded the ‘23’ plate and will be replaced by the ‘24’ plate in March 2024.
The '73' forms part of the full number plate and comes after the first two characters, which signify the area of the UK in which the car was first registered. The final three characters are randomly assigned letters that have no specific meaning.
Looking for a bargain? Check out our pick of theWhat’s the law on displaying number plates?
There are strict laws on UK number plates. All plates must:
In addition, plates must show black characters on a white background for the front, and on a yellow background for the back.
Is now a good time to buy a car?
With dealers typically selling more cars in September than most other months of the year, many will be looking to sell their stock quickly to make way for further deliveries and meet big sales targets. And although the increased demand means you'll be in competition with lots of other buyers – particularly for popular cars – you should still seek a discount on your chosen car's list price.
If you're looking for the biggest discounts, it’s worth noting that car registrations are typically at their lowest levels in February and August (the months immediately before the new number plates are introduced) and dealers will still have to hit their sales targets. You may therefore get a larger discount if you buy a car in these months, especially as dealers will be looking to shift cars with the previous date mark on their plates.
How to get the best deal on a ‘73’ plate car
Five new cars to consider
Decided you need a new set of wheels, but unsure what model to go for? Here are five new cars we've recently lab tested – all score well, but each has their own unique pros and cons, so be sure to click through to the full reviews to get our definitive verdict.
Mazda CX-60 (£43,435)
Currently the largest SUV in the Mazda range, the CX-60 is now available with plug-in hybrid or diesel engines. The large 3.3-litre diesel claims to be smoother than rival diesel SUVs with smaller engines. Is the diesel model the one to choose?
Read ourBYD Atto 3 (£37,695)
The Atto 3 is the first car to be sold in the UK by this Chinese brand. It's an electric SUV that comes with plenty of equipment as standard, but how does it compare against more established rivals?
Read ourMazda 2 Hybrid (£23,730)
Read our
Hyundai Ioniq 6 (£47,040)
The streamlined Ioniq 6 has impressive efficiency claims and comes with plenty of safety kit as standard, but how did it perform in our in-depth lab tests?
Read ourVolkswagen ID. Buzz (£58,915)
The largest electric model in the Volkswagen range, the ID. Buzz MPV aims to offer style and practicality. But does the fact it's based on a van affect its interior quality, and how does its electric range fare?
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