What year is my car?

Despite the layout of the number plate changing over the years, it is still relatively easy to identify the year of your car. Simply, enter your registration number below to check your car's age.

For vehicles registered from 1983 onwards, use our vehicle registration checker below:

Although there are alternative ways to find out what year your car is, it is always useful to understand how the number plate correlates with the vehicle's age. Depending on when your car was registered, there are different ways in which the year can be identified using the number plate.

This guide will explore how to identify the year of your car by the number plate, and highlight considerations you should make when buying a new car.

Click on a link to jump to that section:

• How to read your car registration (2001-)

  Find out more about the current system, and how to understand the year of your car.

• How to read your car registration (1963 – 2001)

  Read about the Prefix and Suffix systems, and what drivers should be aware of.

• Why should you know the year of your car?

  Browse through the different reasons you should know the year of your car.

• Frequently asked questions

  Read the most commonly asked questions on finding the age of your car's registration

How to read your car registration (2001-)

Since 2001, all vehicles registered in the United Kingdom have followed the same new-style number plate layout. This format allows new cars to be registered twice a year; on the 1st of March and the 1st of September.

The new layout is fairly simple to understand, and consists of three sections. The first two letters indicate the area where the vehicle was first registered, and the last three letters are randomly assigned.

• EU country identifier—The country in which the vehicle was registered.
• Region of registration—The first letter is the registration area; the second is the local DVLA office.
• Age—The year of registration. The year of registration.
• Random letters—These are unique to the vehicle and added to identify the vehicle.

The numbers determine the car's registration year, as shown in the table below. Car registration years chart—2001 onward

Remembering vehicles registered in March is much easier, as the number will be the same year. For example, number plates that contain "23" will have been registered in March 2023.

When it comes to September numbers, the car's year will be minus 50. So, a vehicle registered in September 2023 will include "73" on the number plate (23+50).

No matter the year of your car, consider utilising a custom liner to protect your boot from damage and stains. Perfect for families and pet owners.

Browse through our boot liners here to find your car.

How to read your car registration (1963 – 2001)

Known as the “prefix system", vehicles registered between 1983 and 2001 followed a different system to determine the year than the one currently utilised. Instead, the "prefix system" used a single letter as the registration date.

Similarly to the “prefix system”, the “suffix system" consisted of a special letter to determine the age of the car's registration. However, between 1963 and 2001, the age identifier letter was the last unit of the number plate, compared to the "prefix system", where the age identifier was at the start.

• Age identifier— The date of registration.
• Random numbers—These are unique to the vehicle and added to identify the vehicle.
• Area code— The area of registration and the local DVLA office.

Please see the table below if your car was registered between 1963 and 2001:

At Hatchbag, alongside custom boot liners, we have high-quality accessories to enhance your boot's safety and ensure no damage occurs. Our car boot liner accessories include personalised fitting kits depending on your vehicle’s make and model, and rubber mats that are perfect for families with pets.

Contact Hatchbag today to find out more about our custom car boot liners.

Why should you know the year of your car?

You may need to know the year of your vehicle's registration for several reasons. If you intend to sell your car, you must tell any potential buyers before the purchase. Also, if you are buying a replacement part for your vehicle, the car's year of registration may help ensure compatibility.

When it comes to custom boot liners, understanding the year the car was registered may determine which boot liner will be compatible. At Hatchbag, we customise our boot liners to your vehicle's specific make and model. Using our website, you can select your car (using the year of registration) and choose between various colours, including brown, orange, pink, and blue.

All our custom boot liners are made from tough, waterproof, and non-absorbent fabrics, and are compatible with many dog guards and boot variations.

Contact Hatchbag to find out more about our custom boot liners.

Frequently asked questions

Will a vehicle check show the registered keeper's name?

No, it is unlawful to disclose the registered vehicle keeper's details without their permission, unless you have a just cause. This can be found by writing to the DVLA to request information about a vehicle's current or previous registered keeper.

How can a boot liner benefit my car?

At Hatchbag, we have meticulously developed the design of our boot liners to provide the best protection possible. This includes maximum protection against all the dirt, debris, and moisture that car boots encounter daily, while not compromising the boot space.

Learn more about custom boot liners' benefits at our Advice Centre.

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