Whose number plate is this?
Number plates, sometimes referred to as vehicle registration plates, have been used in the UK since 1904. The Motor Car Act of 1903, that became law the following year, required all motorised vehicles to be enrolled officially in the Vehicle Register and made it compulsory for them to all carry number plates. This law was passed to make sure the authorities could trace vehicles easily if they were involved in illegal activity or a road accident.
How does gap insurance work?
Guaranteed Asset Protection or ‘gap’ car insurance is a type of policy designed to be used in conjunction with your standard car insurance. Gap insurance was first conceived to cover the potential financial losses of car owners if their vehicle experiences certain unfortunate circumstances. For example, if a car is so badly damaged in a road accident that it can’t be repaired and must be written off, or if you are a victim of theft and your car is stolen, a gap insurance policy can assist the owner in reclaiming the full financial investment they made when they first purchased it.
Why are number plates yellow and white?
Across our world, different nations have their own system of vehicle registration, and plate colour plays a part in this. Plate colours and their purpose vary from India, where you can tell the President from his red plate and the common man from his black on white registration, to the multi-coloured plates of America, where the verdant state of Vermont issue green-coloured plates to match. Australia has an unlimited palette for their plates with many featuring designs and motifs. While French number plates once resembled ours, they now have a system of their own with black character on white plates at both the front and back.
Where to buy a number plate
Whether you’re worried your number plate is damaged, becoming difficult to read and could land you in trouble with the law or if you’re in the market for a bespoke reg to add a personal touch to your new car, you’ll need to know where to buy a number plate.
When do number plates change?
While France was the first nation to introduce licence plates in 1893, the United Kingdom caught up in 1904 when the Motor Car Act made registration plates a legal necessity. Ever since, vehicles across the country have had to wear individual number plates, containing a series of specific characters designed to help the authorities identify them in the event of their involvement in accidents or criminal activity.
How much is my number plate worth?
Whether you’re looking to sell your personal number plate or are simply curious about its value, a common question among car owners is ‘How much is my number plate worth?’
How much is a personalised number plate?
Even though cars coming off the production line are difficult to distinguish between, their relationship to their owners can be incredibly personal. While each car already possesses its own unique VIN number, given to it when first manufactured, that acts as the auto-equivalent of a human fingerprint, it’s not uncommon for drivers to have affectionate names for their vehicles.
Do manual or automatic cars use more fuel?
The debate about fuel economy between manual and automatic transmission cars has, for a long time, been won by manuals – but has modern automatic gearbox technology turned the tables? We’ll have a look at the evidence.
22 fuel saving tips every car owner should know
Fuel economy is a hot topic. Prices at the pumps rarely go down – so if you want to keep an eye on your financial outgoings, maximising fuel efficiency is a great step.
What are the UK’s most economical petrol and diesel cars?
Looking for the most economical car for your money? You might find yourself up against a bit of a challenge. While there are some great contenders for the ‘best MPG cars’ list out there, actually tracking down the best economy car involves a lot of searching through manufacturer fuel consumption figures.
Should you service your car at the dealership?
Regular servicing is crucial if you want to maintain the condition of your car and ensure that it stays roadworthy for as long as possible. Many people recommend that you service your car at the dealership that sells your make of car, but why is that?
How to haggle with car dealers
The car market is starting to change and the era of haggling over vehicle price is coming to a close. There’s a decisive shift in car dealers who are now looking to encourage trust and offer transparency in their business practices to adopt a no-haggling policy. This is achieved by car dealers charging the actual market value of the vehicles they offer from the start of a sale, and so avoiding any unnecessary negotiation from either party involved.
Should I buy a diesel car in 2019?
The diesel car has long been a favourite choice for the frugal-minded driver due to the engine’s superior economy when it comes to the topic of fuel. It was also once true that owners of diesel-powered vehicles had less to pay in car tax, but newer diesel vehicles no longer reap this reward.
How much cheaper are cars at auction?
According to industry figures, every week in the UK more than 12,000 vehicles are sold at auction. Out of these thousands of sales, statistics show that around 10% are purchased by private buyers keen to drive away with a bargain.
What does ‘no reserve’ mean at a car auction?
When selling a car at an auction you’ll always want to secure the highest price possible for your vehicle, but what is the best way of achieving this?
Do you need to SORN to scrap a car?
If your car is currently sitting in the driveway or in your garage and is not used on the road, you may require a SORN. If you’re wondering ‘do you need a SORN to scrap a car’ then the simple answer is yes, but only if you want to remove parts of the vehicle yourself and sell them separately before scrapping.
Can I scrap my car without a logbook?
While scrapping a car isn’t a complicated process, it’s not one most vehicle owners carry out often. You might be asking yourself: can I scrap my car without a logbook? If you’ve owned your vehicle for so many years that it’s ready to be recycled, then the chances are you may have misplaced that logbook long ago. If so, don’t worry you won’t need your logbook or even a copy to get your car scrapped.
How much is a scrap car worth?
If you’ve decided to dispose of your vehicle, you might be asking how much is a scrap car worth? Average payments for scrapped vehicles vary from £150 to £300 but there are several deciding factors that can affect how much you receive.
What’s the difference between your number plate and VIN?
From serial to engine numbers, the cars we drive have many codes attached to them. These codes personalise them and their parts and allow us and the authorities to differentiate them from one another. Two of the more commonly confused codes are the VIN number and the digits displayed on your licence plate.
Should I sell my car on an auction site?
Selling a car online is potentially the most stress-free way of getting cash for your vehicle - provided you know what you’re doing. To find out more about selling your car at auction online, read our handy guide and hopefully it will help you decide whether it’s the best way to sell your vehicle.
