28 replies to this topic

[mikeyv8]

Hi Everyone, im on the lookout for a car, however the car in question is a R plate Cooper, however the date of registration was march 1999, so wouldent that make the car either a T or V reg? The seller says its a 98 car hence the R registration but the logbook and dvla have it down as being registered march 99, i just get the feeling somethings not quite right with it, the car is question is on Ebay now, its a red cooper with a buy it now of 3100, if anyone can give me some advice it would be much appreciated as i dont want to buy a car thats possibly been reshelled.

[yanto]

Mine is on an R plate and its a 1998 cooper sportspack.

[The Matt]

They changed it all towards the end of the old style registrations, this was to get through all the letters. Before the new style plates came in, in the last couple of years you could get a new reg 3 or 4 time a year.

Not on an 'R plate though. R prefix is August 1997 to end of July 1998.

[yanto]

HPi It on line, its about £10 for peace of mind or try the DVLA website for a free check, not as comprehensive as the £10 one though.
Yanto

[The Matt]

It could have had a private plate for the first year, then registered with the current plate in 1999. The current owner/seller may know if you ask them.

[mikeyv8]

Dvla say 1st registered on 02/03/99, seller is aware of this but cannot give me a reason for the error, he says car definatley a 98 car hence the R registration, but a 99 should be on T reg,any other ideas?

[some1158]

You can put an older plate on a car as a personal plate - so a car registered in 1999 could be given a plate from 1998 or before. (E.g. I have a colleague with a reasonably new Volvo with a D plate, which would normally be on cars from c. 1986). But yes HPI it.

[Badboytunes]

As above. My new MINI is a "W" reg but registered in march 2010. HPI all the way if your not sure.......

[62S]

The vehicle details for R136 BDC are: Date of Liability 01 08 2013 Date of First Registration 02 03 1999 Year of Manufacture 1998 Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1275cc CO2 Emissions Not Available Fuel Type PETROL Export Marker N Vehicle Status Licence Not Due Vehicle Colour RED

Presumably it is this one? As Matt in post #6 says its probably had a private plate on it and when that was taken off it was then given an age related plate as in related to the year of build not year of registration.

[mininuts]

As said above, an HPI check will put your mind at rest and it should also inform you of any number plate changes that have taken place. Worth every penny if you aren't sure

[mikeyv8]

Thanks guys, just going to do it now, and yes, thats the one!

[mikeyv8]

Hpi said that the car was built in 98 but exported from new, it came back into this country in 99 and was registered on an R plate due to its build and not T!

[Mini_Magic]

Isn't it when the car was built, as oppose to when it was registered, that determines which reg letter/number it has?

So if it was build in 1998 but not registered at the Rover dealership until 1999, that would explain it.

[some1158]

Isn't it when the car was built, as oppose to when it was registered, that determines which reg letter/number it has?

So if it was build in 1998 but not registered at the Rover dealership until 1999, that would explain it.

I don't think so - as there are classic Minis on 51 plates. But I may be wrong!

[Ethel]

Ask the seller first, I can't really see anyone doing a cherished number transfer from a car that's only a year or two older. It might be an age related plate, on an import or similar.