Car Registration Years Chart | A List Of Vehicle Registration Years (2024)

Looking to find your cars year of manufacture from the registration number?

The following tables show the year or registration for the current and previous versions of UK registration numbers.

  • New Style Number Plate Identifiers – Example: AB51 ABD
  • Prefix Number Plates Identifiers – Example: A21 ABC
  • Suffix Number Plate Identifiers – Example: ABC 1A
  • Order Number Plates Online

Important notes:

Vehicles with custom plates or Q plates are not covered, as they can be any year.

The registration is the date the vehicle was first registered in the UK. It is possible for it to have been manufactured the previous year but not registered, and import vehicles may not have the correct year specific registration number.

You cannot fit or assign a number plate to a vehicle that is older than the registration identifier. For example, you would not be allowed to assign a 63 Plate to a 54 plate vehicle. You can however, change your vehicle’s registration to a newer vehicle model.

Please note this tool is as accurate as possible. It won’t tell you what wiper blades will fit your car but it will help you to find out what year your car registration is though.

Please Note: We also offer number plate printing as a service to all vehicle owners AND we also offer showplate printing for those looking for something a bit different.

New Style Age Identifier For UK Number Plates

Current System – 2001 to 2049(assuming it runs to the end)

Number plates in the UK are issued twice a year – between 6 month intervals, and are in the format AB51 ABD, where the numeric characters show the year.

New style registrations are also known as Millennium Registrations and these offer more insights into the information around the number plate.

The first 2 letters depict the town the vehicle was issued in and are known as memory tags. This article has a great section around memory tags.

PlateFromTo
51September 2001March 2002
02March 2002September 2002
52September 2002March 2003
03March 2003September 2003
53September 2003March 2004
04March 2004September 2004
54September 2004March 2005
05March 2005September 2005
55September 2005March 2006
06March 2006September 2006
56September 2006March 2007
07March 2007September 2007
57September 2007March 2008
08March 2008September 2008
58September 2008March 2009
09March 2009September 2009
59September 2009March 2010
10March 2010September 2010
60September 2010March 2011
11March 2011September 2011
61September 2011March 2012
12March 2012September 2012
62September 2012March 2013
13March 2013September 2013
63September 2013March 2014
14March 2014September 2014
64September 2014March 2015
15March 2015September 2015
65September 2015March 2016
16March 2016September 2016
66September 2016March 2017
17March 2017September 2017
67September 2017March 2018
18March 2018September 2018
68September 2018March 2019
19March 2019September 2019
69September 2019March 2020
20March 2020September 2020
70September 2020March 2021
21March 2021September 2021
71September 2021March 2022
22March 2022September 2022
72September 2022March 2023
23March 2023September 2023
73September 2023March 2024
24March 2024September 2024
74September 2024March 2025
25March 2025September 2025
75September 2025March 2026
26March 2026September 2026
76September 2026March 2027
27March 2027September 2027
77September 2027March 2028
28March 2028September 2028
78September 2028March 2029
29March 2029September 2029
79September 2029March 2030
30March 2030September 2030
80September 2030March 2031
31March 2031September 2031
81September 2031March 2032
32March 2032September 2032
82September 2032March 2033
33March 2033September 2033
83September 2033March 2034
34March 2034September 2034
84September 2034March 2035
35March 2035September 2035
85September 2035March 2036
36March 2036September 2036
86September 2036March 2037
37March 2037September 2037
87September 2037March 2038
38March 2038September 2038
88September 2038March 2039
39March 2039September 2039
89September 2039March 2040
40March 2040September 2040
90September 2040March 2041
41March 2041September 2041
91September 2041March 2042
42March 2042September 2042
92September 2042March 2043
43March 2043September 2043
93September 2043March 2044
44March 2044September 2044
94September 2044March 2045
45March 2045September 2045
95September 2045March 2046
46March 2046September 2046
96September 2046March 2047
47March 2047September 2047
97September 2047March 2048
48March 2048September 2048
98September 2048March 2049
49March 2049September 2049
99September 2049March 2050

Prefix Registration Plates

Prefix Type registration numbers – 1983 to 2001

Number plates are in the format ‘A21 ABC‘, with the first letter denoting the year code.

PrefixFromTo
AAugust 1983July 1984
BAugust 1984July 1985
CAugust 1985July 1986
DAugust 1986July 1987
EAugust 1987July 1988
FAugust 1988July 1989
GAugust 1989July 1990
HAugust 1990July 1991
JAugust 1991July 1992
KAugust 1992July 1993
LAugust 1993July 1994
MAugust 1994July 1995
NAugust 1995July 1996
PAugust 1996July 1997
RAugust 1997July 1998
SAugust 1998February 1999
TMarch 1999July 1999
VAugust 1999February 2000
WMarch 2000July 2000
XAugust 2000February 2001
YMarch 2001July 2001

Suffix Registration Plates

Suffix type registration numbers – 1963 to 1983

Number plates are in the format ‘ABC 1A‘, with the last letter designating the year code.

SuffixFromTo
A1963
B1964
C1965
D1966
EJanuary 1967July 1967
FAugust 1967July 1968
GAugust 1968July 1969
HAugust 1969July 1970
JAugust 1970July 1971
KAugust 1971July 1972
LAugust 1972July 1973
MAugust 1973July 1974
NAugust 1974July 1975
PAugust 1975July 1976
RAugust 1976July 1977
SAugust 1977July 1978
TAugust 1978July 1979
VAugust 1979July 1980
WAugust 1980July 1981
XAugust 1981July 1982
YAugust 1982July 1983

Can I Put A New Plate On An Old Car?

Unfortunately, you cannot put a new plate on an old car.

This legislation is in place to prevent owners from making a vehicle appear newer than it is when selling a vehicle.

For example, you cannot put a personalised 21 plate onto a vehicle that was registered in 2012.

Read More

Related Information

  1. Overview
  2. Where A Vehicle Is Registered
  3. When Was A Vehicle Registered
  4. Private Registrations

Author: Dean Michael

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166 Comments

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Chris co*cks

2 years ago

Hi I have a plate COX 33E and wondered if i could have it on black and silver plates ? But I’m not sure if its old enough to qualify ? Does anyone know please ?

15

Reply

TheMightyImp2

2 years ago

Reply to Chris co*cks

Yes, it’s fine.

-7

Reply

Enthusiastic_Bombastic

2 years ago

Reply to TheMightyImp2

The plate COX 33E uses the old suffix style which should be a 1965 plate.

The actual vehicle that it’s going on was first registered in 2018.

INF104 of the DVLA states the following:

Vehicles made before 1 January 1973 may display traditional

‘black and white’ number plates (for example, white, silver or

grey characters on a black plate). From April 2020 vehicles

manufactured before 1 January 1980 are also able to display

traditional ‘black and white’ number plates. You must:

• have applied to DVLA

• be registered within the ‘historic vehicles’ tax class

Basically OP can’t have those plates because the vehicle needs to be manufactured before 1973…. Not the date of the plate.

2

Reply

Matt

1 year ago

Reply to Enthusiastic_Bombastic

Suffix “E” is 1967

2

Reply

michael lloyd

11 months ago

Reply to Matt

l452ohp

-1

Reply

libby

5 months ago

Reply to michael lloyd

Hi Matt, wonder if you know what year this number plate is, Its an oldie. NLA 29O

Reply

Jwey

7 days ago

Reply to libby

Pre 1963 or so when the year letters came in.

Reply

Noel Magee

2 years ago

What year is the UK registration 412 UXC many thanks

11

Reply

Scott Morris

2 years ago

Reply to Noel Magee

That is a dateless plate, it can be put on any age of vehicle.

Reply

Laurence Harvey

2 years ago

We’re was RC 3848 re

8

Reply

barry brooks

3 years ago

hi my old gentry car has a reg number 345 DDT. could you tell me the year and car it came from regards

8

Reply

securespark

3 years ago

Reply to barry brooks

1960.

Cannot find the car on the DVLA database.

Reply

Nicola

1 year ago

I am trying to find out the area and year for an old black and silver reg number OOF 76. Can anybody help

6

Reply

Please tell me what year in the uk was YHZ 1704 made

2

Reply

Olpy

1 year ago

Reply to Shelagh

Dateless Northern Ireland; N/A

Reply

Mike Hobbs

1 year ago

Hi I’m looking for information/history about my plate “HOB 737” it’s been mine since 1995

1

Reply

Amanda senior

11 months ago

Reply to Mike Hobbs

I own HOB 1
Been in the family over 55 years

Reply

Emy

1 year ago

Where can I find out the histroy of GGK 108c

1

Reply

Olpy

1 year ago

Reply to Emy

car Tax Check?

Reply

Robert Duncan

2 years ago

Any idea what year the number plate LYS 201 would be?

1

Reply

Ian

3 years ago

My car was re registered in 2006 , the original reg was 522AXF it has been sorn. Can I contact dvla to buy it back for the original car it was registered to?

1

Reply

TheMightyImp2

2 years ago

Reply to Ian

To move plates or put on retaining slips, the car must be taxed and more importantly MOT’d.

Also, if a car is stolen without MOT and tax, you can never get the plate back (unless you recover the car and tax and MOT it)

Reply

simon barrett

3 years ago

can anyone advise as my car reg is AE14 VPT 2014 model and i want to put number I

have brought L15XSB, and having issues with online change: i was advised that can use this L15 as not issue as not making the

car look younger can someone advise please.

1

Reply

Author

Dean Michael

3 years ago

Reply to simon barrett

Hi Simon,

This is a strange one because the sequence for L15 XSB is the old style “Prefix Registration” which makes the vehicle have a 1993 plate so this should be fine to put onto your vehicle.

It might be worth calling the right department or try contacting them on Twitter.

Reply

David

1 year ago

Reply to simon barrett

Wat year is ndx186

2

Reply

Michael

13 days ago

Hi there, I am in the process of registering in the UK a Mercedes first registered in Australia in March 1975 (recently imported to the UK). Can I put black and white plates on this car?

Reply

Shaun

1 month ago

Can I put S18 OLJ on a 2012 registered car SA12 KGF

Reply

Andy

3 days ago

Reply to Shaun

Yes

Reply

Dimi

3 months ago

Hello I want to buy a plate that needs to be assigned can only be assigned to a ‘C’ registered or newer vehicle (Registered after 1 August 1985). Would I be able to put this plate into a 2022-2023 car

Reply

Fred

6 months ago

When was my registration first issued SOX55

Reply

Phyllis Denton

6 months ago

WKD538H does anybody know where I can locate this plate …?

Reply

Robert

7 months ago

Old motorbike no. Plate . Registered in Yorkshire. (YE 4276) Anyone any idea roughly what year it could have been. Many Thanks Robert.

Reply

mel smith

8 months ago

I have plate BXC 924 on London Taxi 1930.s trying to find out what year it was issued, Any and all help appreciated. Would be great to track how it has ended up in Canada

Reply

Ark Redwood

9 months ago

I have spotted registration numbers which don’t correspond to the current list. They are JB and XX. Does anyone know what they signify? I can find no reference to them anywhere.

Reply

Rosanne smith

10 months ago

Can you age my car registration for me please, it’s ORG 1

Reply

Ron

10 months ago

Weren’t there any vehicles registered in August 2001 ???
The table shows suffix “Y” as finishing 31-July-2001, while year code “51” started in September 2001 – and year code “01” is not in this table!
So, what DID happen in that month ???

Reply

john vare

10 months ago

Anyone know the year of motor cycle DE9418?

Reply

William Barron Murray

10 months ago

Hi can anyone tell me what year A1 WBM is please.

Reply

Andy

3 days ago

Reply to William Barron Murray

1983

Reply

Ralph

11 months ago

Hi can anyone tell me if PUT 55 can still be purchased?
This was on my dads Morris Cowley back in the sixties.

Reply

Jeanne Warburton

11 months ago

Can I put the Reg 308 DRX on a 1964 1800S Volvo?

Reply

Claire Hinton

1 year ago

What year did registration WYR 222 made

Reply

Jane R

1 year ago

I am looking for the year of issue of plate FP 5789.

Reply

Ricky

1 year ago

Hi can you tell me what year my car was made/registered by the vin number?

Reply

Mike

1 year ago

Hi. I have a 1990 VW T25 but the registration says 2003. Any idea why this would be the case ?

Reply

Mike

1 year ago

Reply to Mike

Oh the Registration is G49 WKL

Reply

Grant Sare

1 year ago

sorry , i may be a bit slow but what year is V15 ***
thanks in anticipation

Reply

Dez

25 days ago

Reply to Grant Sare

1999/2000

Reply

Scott Gratsinger

1 year ago

I have a 1961 Triumph TR3 in the States that came with a white on black plate 9529DU. Is there any way to know if the plate was actually ever used on that car, or was it possibly just a collector’s item that someone attached to the car?

Reply

Olpy

1 year ago

Reply to Scott Gratsinger

Check on cartaxcheck.co.uk

Reply

Robert

1 year ago

I have a Mercedes C220 AMG 2013 with Number plate BOB 832K already on can i change plate to a Vintage Number plate

Reply

Brian Nicholson

2 years ago

Hi could you tell me what year was number plate issued please BN9458

Reply

Helen

2 years ago

My father bought me a numberplate just prior to his death in 1996 which I still have. Its currently on retention awaiting a new vehicle. I am interested in its history if anyone can help please. The registration is 4 EHK.

Reply

Barry

1 year ago

Reply to Helen

According to Stone and Cox: Motor Specifications and Prices (1979 edition) your number plate was issued in August 1955, in Essex.

Reply

Julie Mellis

2 years ago

Please help me with my local library’s heritage dept. They have 2 very dated photos of cars. Registration SE76 and SE80. Could you tell me the make and model but also the registered year of the cars?

Reply

Dave Stewart-White

2 years ago

I’m trying to find out what vehicle a registration was on, as I’ve bought an old plate (my son collects them for his wall) and it’d be great to know what car it came off. Reg is GOH 682N. It’s got “ Montgomery red” written on the back which I presume was the car colour. Thanks

Reply

Derek Frost

2 years ago

“13” in the pre-fix set, such as “D13” or “L13” identifies the registration as what status?

Reply

Michael

2 years ago

what year is the registration T3094 (DEVON registered)

Reply

Ian

2 years ago

Hi, what about 00D 865?
Thanks

Reply

Jason Washington

2 years ago

AF 3742 in Cornwall is that 1963 or before?

Reply

Jeremy Alan Furneaux

2 years ago

Reply to Jason Washington

That’s a 1930’s plate.

Reply

Elaine

2 years ago

Which year was 519KD about please?

Reply

Paul

2 years ago

Hi all,
I have a plate D10FFN and I want to put it on a 2009 car, my mate said you can’t do that but this plate is 1986 or 87 isn’t it?

Reply

Big Gaz

2 years ago

Reply to Paul

You can apply the D-Reg Plate to any car made after August 1986.

Reply

Brad Blount

2 years ago

Hi I have a registration Y984eba is this registration legal it’s for a 2001 Mitsubishi thanks in advance .

Reply

J Grenfell

2 years ago

I have a Nissan Micra VA53 APX, what year would that be registered

Reply

Author

Dean Michael

2 years ago

Reply to J Grenfell

Your registration indicates it’s for a Nissan Micra 2003-2004.

Reply

Ian James

2 years ago

777DOL we own (but are unable to use, as we have emigrated). Would love to know when it was first registered and what it is worth.

Reply

Sandra

2 years ago

When was registration plate SB9864 first issued

Reply

Geoff

2 years ago

Trying to trace the history of my much-loved early 1960s BSA Gold Flash in blue. It was registered new in Oxfordshire and I think the letters were XWL. I’m an octogenarian and my memory is not what it was.Thank you for any help

Reply

Sheila Hardy

2 years ago

My family owned a small lorry. I think the registration reads AY9078 but it definitely reads AY?078 we are trying to date a photo from the number plate. It is circa 1908 thank you

Reply

Jane Peck

2 years ago

I am trying to find out the whereabouts of a red Morgan Reg plate KLT 558D
I have worked out it was registered in 1966
Any info really welcomed

Reply

Simon

2 years ago

Ex MOd Vehicles. I have seen an mot certificate which gives date of manufacture as 1979 yet it has an A 111 ggg style number plate. How is this possible?

Reply

Car Registration Years Chart | A List Of Vehicle Registration Years (2024)

FAQs

What year is my plate? ›

The first number indicates the year of registration, and the second number indicates the specific six-month period within that year (March to August or September to February). The last three letters on the plate are generally random and do not carry any specific information.

How to tell what year a car is? ›

A vehicle's Model Year is categorically defined by the 10th digit of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and simply indicates any manufacturer-specified evolution in mid-cycle of a model range - such as new engine or transmission introductions, revised trim options or any other minor specification changes.

How many cars were registered in 1980? ›

Estimated Fee-Paid as of December 31
YearAutosTrucks
19804,048,996743,629
19753,775,427644,575
19703,670,496477,075
YearAutosTrucks
5 more rows

How many cars are on the road by year? ›

Despite a slight uptick in 2021, sales in 2022 were the lowest in a decade. However, the overall number of cars on the road has grown modestly, increasing from roughly 276 million in 2020 to 282 million in 2021. And In 2022, the 255 million driving Americans spent a total of 93 billion hours on the road.

What year was MyPlate created? ›

Washington, DC, June 2, 2011 – First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today unveiled the federal government's new food icon, MyPlate, to serve as a reminder to help consumers make healthier food choices.

What is my VIN plate? ›

You can typically find your car's VIN number in a few places: Stamped on the dashboard near the windshield, on the driver's side of the vehicle. On a plate or sticker on the driver's side door jamb. Stamped on the engine's firewall.

Does VIN number tell you year of vehicle? ›

The 10th character in the 17-character VIN represents the vehicle model-year. This standard applies to vehicles built in or after 1981.

How do I find out the model and year of my car? ›

The model year can also be found in the car's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN serves as the car's fingerprint, as no two vehicles in operation have the same VIN. A VIN is composed of 17 characters (digits and capital letters) that act as a unique identifier for the vehicle.

What was the number one selling car in 1980? ›

1980: Oldsmobile Cutlass — 469,573 units sold

To the auto industry, as the 1980s dawn, they look much like the late 1970s, with the Oldsmobile Cutlass again being the best-selling car in the land. It is the third year in which the Cutlass takes the top spot, although its sales volumes are lower.

How old are most used cars? ›

The average car is now over 12 years old — that's a problem if you're in the market for a used vehicle
  • For the sixth year in a row, the average age of cars in the US increased.
  • Drivers are holding onto their cars for an average of 12.5 years.
May 15, 2023

How much did it cost to buy a car in 1980? ›

In 1980 the average car was around $7,600 which is around $28,000 in 2023 dollars. The current average car price is $48,000. Cars are more expensive.

What percentage of 20 year old cars are still on the road? ›

How many 20 year old cars are still on the road. About 23% of all passenger cars on the road today are 20 years old or older. The most vehicles on the road today are model years 2015 to 2019 model years, which make up approximately 26% of all vehicles.

What state has the most registered vehicles? ›

In 2021, California was the federal state with the highest number of motor vehicle registrations in the United States. More than 31.3 million motor vehicles were registered in the nation's most populous state. Overall, the United States recorded just under 282.4 million vehicle registrations.

What is the average life of a car in the US? ›

In the past, the average lifespan of a car was significantly lower than it is today. Now, you can expect a standard car to last around 12 years or about 200,000 miles. More advanced vehicles like electric cars can go even longer, up to 300,000 miles.

Can you tell a year by a serial number? ›

The 1st three numbers of your serial number will always provide your manufacture date. The 1st number is the YEAR of manufacture; the 2nd & 3rd numbers indicate the MONTH of manufacture. Please see the detailed explanation and examples provided below.

How do I decode a 13 digit VIN number? ›

VINs with 13 digits relate to vehicles manufactured before 1981. The first digit is the country of origin and the second the manufacturer. The third digit represents the vehicle type, and the fourth through the eighth designates the engine type, braking system, body style, and restraint system.

How is car of the year determined? ›

The 61 members of the Car of the Year Jury all test cars as part of their journalistic work. In selecting the car of the year they use the following criteria: design, comfort, safety, economy, handling, performance, functionality, environmental requirements, driver satisfaction, and price.

What year is M in a VIN number? ›

Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN codes)/Model year
CodeYears
M1991, 2021
N1992, 2022
P1993, 2023
R1994, 2024
26 more rows

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