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Cover Plates - registrations to hide the vehicle age
The term "Cover Plates" refers to a pair of personal number plates usually displaying an ageless registration number but has no relevence to the vehicle or the driver.
These tend to be 3 plus 3 registrations ( 3 number with 3 letters ) with letters that are highly unlikely to be anyone's initials, for example X or Y or U. LSU 103 is an example of a cover plate.
Somtimes Irish registration numbers are used to cover the age of the vehicle as they tend to be cheaper, but the normal issue numbers have 7 digits, three letters and 4 numbers. 3 plus 3 Irish numbers are available but most work out the same sort of price as an British 3 plus 3 cover as two transfer fees will be applicable.
They are often used by taxi drivers, coach operators and undertakers who have perfectly serviceable vehicles in use in their business which are looking a bit old due to their registration numbers.
Other users of cover plates are owners of prestige cars which are in excellent condition and could pass for a nearly new car if it weren't for their normal issue DVLA number plates.
They can be an excellent investment but not in the usual way. Many ageless registrations will appreciate in value over the years but cover plates tend not to. However if the use of one allows a business or individual to continually buy a slightly used car instead of a brand new one and this repeated over an over, the saving will be enormous.
The use of cover plates could expand in the next few years as manufacturers make warranties longer and longer. Already some offer lifetime warranties and many are 5 or 7 years. The requirement to replace a car after a couple of years is disappearing but the snob value of having a new or fairly new registration number will remain.
To peruse a selection of cover plates, please click the link below :-
Ageless Private Plates
If you have any questions regarding any of the above , please contact us by email or telephone.
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