In 1963 the year letter was added (at the end: ABC123J was 1970-71 for example, since there was no I). It was reversed in 1983, starting with A123ABC. The current system, xxNNxxx, was introduced in 2001.
However, all schemes are still valid as 'vanity' plates, providing the number either belonged to a car which has been destroyed (as is the case for most of the earlier cars) or the number plate has been transferred or swapped. For instance, if someone else didn't have it, I could buy CHR15C (CHRIS C) -- since someone bought that as a vanity plate, they probably aren't willing to sell it. Vanity plates can cost vast amounts for rare or desirable ones, even 15+ years ago when I saw that particular plate it was worth several thousand pounds.
So it is not at all uncommon to see obviously new cars with 'old' plates.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2010-04-09 08:23 pm (UTC)However, all schemes are still valid as 'vanity' plates, providing the number either belonged to a car which has been destroyed (as is the case for most of the earlier cars) or the number plate has been transferred or swapped. For instance, if someone else didn't have it, I could buy CHR15C (CHRIS C) -- since someone bought that as a vanity plate, they probably aren't willing to sell it. Vanity plates can cost vast amounts for rare or desirable ones, even 15+ years ago when I saw that particular plate it was worth several thousand pounds.
So it is not at all uncommon to see obviously new cars with 'old' plates.