How does the number plate age identifier work?
The two numbers on a current-style number plate show when the registration was issued. They change twice a year, in March and September. DVLA’s guide to registration numbers (INF104) lists them:
| Issued | Age identifier |
|---|---|
| September 2025 to February 2026 | 75 |
| March 2026 to August 2026 | 26 |
| September 2026 to February 2027 | 76 |
| March 2027 to August 2027 | 27 |
| September 2027 to February 2028 | 77 |
The pattern: from March, the identifier is the last two digits of the year (27 for 2027). From September, it’s the same number plus 50 (77 for 2027). Our number plate year checker lists every one since 2001.
What does a plate change mean when I’m selling?
A new plate doesn’t change your car, but from the day it arrives, your car is one plate further from the newest cars on sale.
If you’re thinking of selling around a plate change, it’s easy to check where you stand: get your price now, and it’s guaranteed for 7 days if the vehicle is as you described it.
Why does my MOT due date matter?
gov.uk says you can’t drive a car on the road once its MOT has run out, except to or from somewhere to be repaired or to a pre-arranged MOT test. With us, an expired MOT also means one of our buyers prices the car instead of the website, and the car needs collecting. So if you’re going to sell anyway, selling while the MOT is current keeps things simple.
Your price also takes into account how long is left on the MOT.
General information only, not advice about your own situation. DVLA’s INF104 and gov.uk’s MOT pages have the full rules.
What’s the simplest approach?
Get your price now. For most cars it appears in a couple of minutes, it’s guaranteed for 7 days if the vehicle is as you described it, and nothing happens unless you accept it.