Yes, September 1st saw yet another new number plate change – 61. You know what, that now means nothing to me since the number plate registrations changed a few year ago. I remember the days when, on 1st August, that being the only registration change for that year and the razzmatazz that went on the when one collected the brand new car. Parties in the garage at midnight, champagne on tap – before the law clamped down on drink driving and the real feeling of happiness as the smiley salesman handed over the keys to a brand new shiny car.
Then over the next few days, the excitement of actually seeing another new car number plate for they were instantly recognisable. Now I could not tell you what year a car with a 51 registration came out let alone 11 without doing some serious mental maths.
No, this new number plate registration has lost its kudos. Its not the same and is no wonder, according to a report out by the AA financial services, that car registrations having declined for 13 consecutive months
Car buyers are hanging on to their motors for longer, are likely to spend less if they do buy another car and are most likely to use their savings to pay for it, rather than take out a loan or car dealer finance. Not surprising really at a time when household savings, income and spendable cash are at all-time lows.
The report goes on to state that only a third of respondents plan to change their car within the next 24 months, less than a fifth of them (19%) intending to buy a brand new car.
What’s more, people are spending less – this year, 29 per cent were thinking of paying between £5,000 and £10,000, compared with 32 per cent last year. Correspondingly, the number of people expecting to spend less than £5,000 has increased from 23 to 26 per cent.
This is largely explained by lack of financial confidence marked by a big drop in the number of people prepared to consider taking out a loan to pay for a car, from a fifth (20%) two years ago to just 11 per cent now.
I think it is also that fact that the euphoria of buying a new car has gone since a bi-yearly registration plates was introduced and that is sad. I know it took pressure off the showrooms who would be inundated with new orders, but those days are gone and I do wonder if showrooms who are still having a tough time, would secretly like to see the return of a one year only registration change.
Anyway, just because you cannot afford nor want to buy a new car, does not mean to say you don’t want to read about them so my job is safe – for a bit longer!
Jackie Violet
Motoring Correspondent
Tags: car registration, car registration years, driving advice, dvla, motoring tios, new cars, real women, vehicle registration
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