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.
Read on to find out how the UK 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 The current ‘24’ plate superseded the ‘73’ plate and will be replaced by the ‘25’ plate in March 2024.
The two-digit year 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 ‘74’ plate car
Three new cars to consider
Decided you need a new set of wheels, but unsure what model to go for? Here are three 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.
Mini Countryman (from £28,250)
This Countryman offers a lot and cements the Mini brand’s place among premium competition. It features a very upmarket interior, is fun to drive and is generally easy to get in and out of. The lack of a conventional instrument cluster does take some getting used to, though, while full hybrid and electric rivals should be cheaper to run.
Read our fullHonda e:Ny1 review (from £38,177)
The e:Ny1 is a competent and distinctive small electric SUV. It’s well-equipped, has a powerful electric motor and is better than some rivals to drive. We do have some gripes about the poorly designed central touchscreen, though.
Read our fullBMW i5 (from £62,738)
BMW’s EV models are among the best large electric cars we’ve tested, and the i5 is no exception. It’s very comfortable, offers strong performance from its electric motor and is also safe. However, we did find practicality is slightly lacking.
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