How old is my car? Number plate age checker

How UK number plates show a car's age

Since September 2001, a current-style plate has two letters, two numbers, then three letters, like AB12 CDE. The two numbers are the age identifier. They change twice a year, on 1 March and 1 September:

• March to August: the last two digits of the year. A 24 plate was registered between March and August 2024.
• September to February: the last two digits of the year plus 50. A 74 plate was registered between September 2024 and February 2025.

The current identifier is 76, issued from 1 September 2026. The next, 27, arrives on 1 March 2027.

Full age identifier table

Older plates: prefix and suffix

From August 1983 to August 2001, the year letter came first (prefix), as in P123 ABC, where P means August 1996 to July 1997. From 1963 to July 1983 it came last (suffix), as in ABC 123K, where K means August 1971 to July 1972. The letters I, O, Q, U and Z were never used as year letters. The checker above decodes both styles.

When a plate does not show the real age

• Private plates. A cherished plate can be put on an older car, but never on a newer one, because a plate must not make a car look newer than it is. A private plate can only tell you the car is at least that old.
• Northern Ireland plates (three letters and up to four numbers, like ABZ 1234) carry no age identifier.
• Q plates are used where the age or identity of a vehicle cannot be confirmed.
• Imported cars get a plate based on their date of manufacture or first registration abroad.

For the exact first registration date and the full MOT record, use the free MOT history check.

Sources

• GOV.UK: Vehicle registration numbers and number plates (INF104)

Rates and rules last checked 15 October 2026. These figures are a guide. For a decision that matters, confirm with the official source.