Car Age Check

How To Find Out How Old Is My Car?

Knowing the age of a car is important for many reasons, whether you’re selling it, buying parts, or considering a new car. If you're wondering, "What age is my car?" or trying to determine the car's year, in most cases, you can check the age of the car by its registration number; the number plate will tell you the year the car was registered. But if the car has a private number plate, you won’t be able to tell the age just by looking at it. In that case, you’ll need the vehicle’s V5C registration document or use a Car Age Checker to enter the registration number and find out the year of manufacture.

There are different types of number plates in the UK that will help you figure out the registration year. For cars registered from 2001 onwards, the format is two digits that represent the car’s age. For older cars, you can tell the age from the prefix or suffix plates. If the car has a dateless number plate, the age isn’t shown on the plate itself, but you can find out the year using a registration checker.

If you’re wondering, “How old is my car by reg?“ — you can use our car age check to find out.

Identifying Where a Vehicle Was First Registered?

To find out where a vehicle was first registered, check the registration plate. For vehicles registered after 2001, the first two letters tell you the area where it was registered. These first two letters are known as the area code, indicating where the vehicle was first registered. For example, if the plate starts with “EA,” it means the car was registered in Essex.

For vehicles registered before 2001, the last two characters of the number plate indicate the registration location. If you’re unsure, you can view a full list of number plate registration locations or enter the registration number to find out.

Can You Use a Private Number Plate on Any Vehicle?

You can’t put a private number plate on a vehicle if it would make it appear newer than it actually is. For example, you can’t place an ‘18’ plate on a car that was made in 2017. Private plates can be purchased from the DVLA or dealers as long as the plate isn’t already in use and the vehicle’s age matches the plate.

The current system of vehicle registration helps determine the year of registration, which is crucial for making sure that the private plate matches the vehicle's age.

Which Country Flags Can You Have on Your Number Plate?

In the United Kingdom, you can add a country flag to your number plate in addition to the conventional letters and digits. Before Brexit, the EU flag with a 'GB' label was widely used. Other acceptable options included:

Union Flag (UK)
Cross of St George (England)
The Cross of Saint Andrew (Scotland)
The Red Dragon of Wales (Wales)

Since Brexit, if you're driving in Europe and don't have an EU flag with 'GB' on your plate, you'll need to display a GB oval sticker to stay legal on the roads. However, number plates with the EU flag and ‘GB’ are still valid for European travel.

Choosing a flag is optional, but it can give a personal touch to your plate while remaining road-legal.

What is a Q plate, and Why Are They Issued?

A “Q” plate is issued by the DVLA when there are doubts about a vehicle’s age or identity. This happens when the vehicle’s details cannot be verified with certainty.

Because the vehicle’s age is unclear, Q plates are considered dateless. Additionally, you cannot place a private plate on a vehicle with a Q plate, as its registration is uncertain.

Cost of Changing Your Car’s Number Plate

If you want to change your car’s number plate, it will cost £80. To complete the transfer, you’ll also need the vehicle registration document (V5C), commonly known as the log book, which contains critical vehicle information; make sure you have everything ready to make the process smooth.

Car Registration Years Explained (2001–Present)

Vehicles registered on or after 1st September 2001 use the current number plate format; this format consists of two letters, followed by two numbers, and then three random letters.

The first two letters tell you where the vehicle was registered, showing the area in the UK. The two numbers that follow indicate the vehicle’s age. For example, a number plate with “20” would mean the car was registered in 2020. This registration mark includes an age identifier, which helps determine the vehicle's registration year.

The last three letters don’t give any specific information about the vehicle.

Plate	From	To
51	Sep-01	Mar-02
2	Mar-02	Sep-02
52	Sep-02	Mar-03
3	Mar-03	Sep-03
53	Sep-03	Mar-04
4	Mar-04	Sep-04
54	Sep-04	Mar-05
5	Mar-05	Sep-05
55	Sep-05	Mar-06
6	Mar-06	Sep-06
56	Sep-06	Mar-07
7	Mar-07	Sep-07
57	Sep-07	Mar-08
8	Mar-08	Sep-08
58	Sep-08	Mar-09
9	Mar-09	Sep-09
59	Sep-09	Mar-10
10	Mar-10	Sep-10
60	Sep-10	Mar-11
11	Mar-11	Sep-11
61	Sep-11	Mar-12
12	Mar-12	Sep-12
62	Sep-12	Mar-13
13	Mar-13	Sep-13
63	Sep-13	Mar-14
14	Mar-14	Sep-14
64	Sep-14	Mar-15
15	Mar-15	Sep-15
65	Sep-15	Mar-16
16	Mar-16	Sep-16
66	Sep-16	Mar-17
17	Mar-17	Sep-17
67	Sep-17	Mar-18
18	Mar-18	Sep-18
68	Sep-18	Mar-19
19	Mar-19	Sep-19
69	Sep-19	Mar-20
20	Mar-20	Sep-20
70	Sep-20	Mar-21
21	Mar-21	Sep-21
71	Sep-21	Mar-22
22	Mar-22	Sep-22
72	Sep-22	Mar-23
23	Mar-23	Sep-23
73	Sep-23	Mar-24
24	Mar-24	Sep-24

Prefix Car Registration Number Years (1983–2001)

Vehicles registered between 1st August 1983 and 31st August 2001 use a prefix system number plate unless they have a dateless plate; the first letter on the plate shows the vehicle’s age. The following three characters are sequential numbers, and the last three letters tell you where the vehicle was originally registered. This format helps you identify the registration year and location of the vehicle.

Letter	From	To
A	01-Aug-83	31-Jul-84
B	01-Aug-84	31-Jul-85
C	01-Aug-85	31-Jul-86
D	01-Aug-86	31-Jul-87
E	01-Aug-87	31-Jul-88
F	01-Aug-88	31-Jul-89
G	01-Aug-89	31-Jul-90
H	01-Aug-90	31-Jul-91
J	01-Aug-91	31-Jul-92
K	01-Aug-92	31-Jul-93
L	01-Aug-93	31-Jul-94
M	01-Aug-94	31-Jul-95
N	01-Aug-95	31-Jul-96
P	01-Aug-96	31-Jul-97
R	01-Aug-97	31-Jul-98
S	01-Aug-98	28-Feb-99
T	01-Mar-99	31-Jul-99
V	01-Aug-99	28-Feb-00
W	01-Mar-00	31-Jul-00
X	01-Aug-00	28-Feb-01
Y	01-Mar-01	31-Aug-01

Suffix Car Registration Number Years (1963–1983)

Vehicles registered between 1963 and 1983 use a suffix system number plate; the first three letters show where the vehicle was registered. This is followed by three random numbers, and the last letter indicates the vehicle’s age. This format helps identify the vehicle’s registration year and location.

Letter	From	To
A	01-Feb-63	31-Dec-63
B	01-Jan-64	31-Dec-64
C	01-Jan-65	31-Dec-65
D	01-Jan-66	31-Dec-66
E	01-Jan-67	31-Jul-67
F	01-Aug-67	31-Jul-68
G	01-Aug-68	31-Jul-69
H	01-Aug-69	31-Jul-70
J	01-Aug-70	31-Jul-71
K	01-Aug-71	31-Jul-72
L	01-Aug-72	31-Jul-73
M	01-Aug-73	31-Jul-74
N	01-Aug-74	31-Jul-75
P	01-Aug-75	31-Jul-76
R	01-Aug-76	31-Jul-77
S	01-Aug-77	31-Jul-78
T	01-Aug-78	31-Jul-79
V	01-Aug-79	31-Jul-80
W	01-Aug-80	31-Jul-81
X	01-Aug-81	31-Jul-82
Y	01-Aug-82	31-Jul-83

Using the VIN to Determine Car Year of Manufacture

To determine a vehicle's year of manufacture, check the 10th digit in the VIN code. This digit represents the year the vehicle was made, and it could be a number or letter, depending on the car’s age.

The VIN can also help identify the model and its manufacturing date, which is crucial for tasks like purchasing compatible parts or custom accessories.

Why You Should Know The Year Of Manufacture Car?

Knowing your car's year of manufacture is important for several reasons. Buyers will want to know the age of the car you're selling. When purchasing parts, selecting the right year ensures that they fit properly. Even when it comes to insurance and valuations, the age of the car is important. This is useful information to have!

VIN Number Year Codes – Quick Reference Chart

The following is a registration years chart, a table showing the VIN number year codes for quick reference:

Code	Year	Code	Year	Code	Year
A	1980	X	1999	J	2018
B	1981	Y	2000	K	2019
C	1982	1	2001	L	2020
D	1983	2	2002	M	2021
E	1984	3	2003	N	2022
F	1985	4	2004	P	2023
G	1986	5	2005	R	2024
H	1987	6	2006	S	2025
J	1988	7	2007	T	2026
K	1989	8	2008	V	2027
L	1990	9	2009	W	2028
M	1991	A	2010	X	2029
N	1992	B	2011	Y	2030
P	1993	C	2012	1	2031
R	1994	D	2013	2	2032
S	1995	E	2014	3	2033
T	1996	F	2015	4	2034
V	1997	G	2016	5	2035
W	1998	H	2017	6	2036

Northern Ireland Number Plates and Year Information

Northern Ireland number plates are different from those in the rest of the UK because they are dateless. This means they can be used on vehicles of any age. These plates have a unique format featuring a serial letter, a county code, and up to four digits. Unlike other UK plates, they don’t show the vehicle’s age.

What Are Dateless Number Plates and How Do They Work?

Dateless number plates are UK registration plates that do not indicate a vehicle's age. Unlike modern plates, which include year identifiers, these plates contain only letters and numbers in various combinations. They were granted prior to 1963 and are highly sought after, particularly for private registrations.

Because they lack a date identifier, dateless plates can be used on any vehicle, regardless of its age. This makes them popular for personalisation and classic cars.

Types of Dateless Number Plates Explaine

1. Original dateless plates (pre-1963)

These plates were issued between 1903 and 1963 and contain a mix of letters and numbers in no particular order. They were assigned sequentially by local councils.

2. Private Dateless Plates

Many people purchase dateless plates to personalise their vehicles. Because they do not indicate age, they can be applied to both old and new cars without restriction.

3. Northern Ireland Plates

Northern Irish plates are also dateless, often showing a combination of letters and up to four numerals (e.g., "ABZ 1234"). These are still widely used and can be transferred to any UK car.

Additional Tools and Checks for Your Vehicle

In addition to identifying the registration year of your vehicle, there are several other checks you can perform to learn more about your car’s history, specifications, and legal status.

car tax check
Bike Check
Find car owner by registration number
car spec check
check previous owners
Number Plate Check
Vehicle Check

FAQs

What's the Difference Between a Car Registration Year and a Manufacturing Year in the UK?

The registration year indicates when the vehicle was initially registered with the DVLA and assigned a number plate. The manufacturing year indicates when the car was built. These dates can vary, especially if a car was unsold for a while before being registered. You can find both details in your V5C logbook.

How old is My Car by Reg?

You can check car age by looking at its number plate (if it follows the normal UK format). If your vehicle has a private or dateless plate, see the V5C logbook and the VIN number, or use our number plate year Check tool.

Can I Use a New Registration Plate on an Older Vehicle UK?

No, you cannot install a newer license plate on an older car since it would appear newer than it actually is. However, you can use an older or dateless plate on any vehicle without restriction.

Why Do UK Number Plates Have Age-Related Identifiers?

UK number plates include age-related indicators to make it simple to determine a car's registration year. This is useful for buying and selling vehicles, testing compatibility for new parts, and checking a car's history. It also prevents older cars from being disguised as newer ones, which is why you cannot place a newer plate on an older vehicle.

When Did Car Number Plates Start in the United Kingdom?

Car number plates were introduced in the Motor Car Act 1903, becoming compulsory from 1st January 1904. The original plates had simple letter and number combinations and were issued progressively by municipal councils. Over time, the system evolved to include age markings to help in identifying vehicle registration years.

How Were Car Number Plates Structured Before 2001 in the UK?

Before the new-style number plates were implemented in September 2001, the UK had two primary systems:

Prefix system (1983-2001) – The first letter signified the registration year.
Suffix scheme (1963-1983) – The registration year was shown in the last letter.

Before 1963, plates were dateless, which means they did not indicate a vehicle's age.

How Do I Decode a Northern Irish Car Number Plate?

Northern Irish number plates lack age markers, making them dateless. They commonly consist of three letters and up to four numbers (for example, "ABZ 1234"). The first two or three letters indicate the location where the vehicle was registered, whereas the numbers are arbitrary. These plates can be transferred to any UK car.

Does My Car's Number Plate Impact Its Resale Value?

A conventional UK number plate will most likely have no effect on the value of your car. Private and dateless plates, on the other hand, can increase the value of a vehicle. Unique or rare number plates can raise value; however, plates that suggest an older car might slightly reduce resale appeal.

How To Find Out How Old Is My Car?

Identifying Where a Vehicle Was First Registered?

Can You Use a Private Number Plate on Any Vehicle?

Which Country Flags Can You Have on Your Number Plate?

What is a Q plate, and Why Are They Issued?

Cost of Changing Your Car’s Number Plate

Car Registration Years Explained (2001–Present)

Prefix Car Registration Number Years (1983–2001)

Suffix Car Registration Number Years (1963–1983)

Using the VIN to Determine Car Year of Manufacture

Why You Should Know The Year Of Manufacture Car?

VIN Number Year Codes – Quick Reference Chart

Northern Ireland Number Plates and Year Information

What Are Dateless Number Plates and How Do They Work?

Types of Dateless Number Plates Explaine

Additional Tools and Checks for Your Vehicle

FAQs

What's the Difference Between a Car Registration Year and a Manufacturing Year in the UK?

How old is My Car by Reg?

Can I Use a New Registration Plate on an Older Vehicle UK?

Why Do UK Number Plates Have Age-Related Identifiers?

When Did Car Number Plates Start in the United Kingdom?

How Were Car Number Plates Structured Before 2001 in the UK?

How Do I Decode a Northern Irish Car Number Plate?

Does My Car's Number Plate Impact Its Resale Value?

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Car Age Check

How To Find Out How Old Is My Car?

Identifying Where a Vehicle Was First Registered?

Can You Use a Private Number Plate on Any Vehicle?

Which Country Flags Can You Have on Your Number Plate?

What is a Q plate, and Why Are They Issued?

Cost of Changing Your Car’s Number Plate

Car Registration Years Explained (2001–Present)

Prefix Car Registration Number Years (1983–2001)

Suffix Car Registration Number Years (1963–1983)

Using the VIN to Determine Car Year of Manufacture

Why You Should Know The Year Of Manufacture Car?

VIN Number Year Codes – Quick Reference Chart

Northern Ireland Number Plates and Year Information

What Are Dateless Number Plates and How Do They Work?

Types of Dateless Number Plates Explaine

Additional Tools and Checks for Your Vehicle

FAQs

What's the Difference Between a Car Registration Year and a Manufacturing Year in the UK?

How old is My Car by Reg?

Can I Use a New Registration Plate on an Older Vehicle UK?

Why Do UK Number Plates Have Age-Related Identifiers?

When Did Car Number Plates Start in the United Kingdom?

How Were Car Number Plates Structured Before 2001 in the UK?

How Do I Decode a Northern Irish Car Number Plate?

Does My Car's Number Plate Impact Its Resale Value?

Services

Blog

Reports

Company

Services

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