1. Introduction – Decoding UK Number Plate Age Identifiers
In the UK, a number plate is more than a string of letters and numbers. It reveals a vehicle’s origin, authenticity, and—importantly—its age. The ‘25’ and ‘75’ plates are the latest in a long sequence of age identifiers, each marking a specific registration period.
2. Understanding the UK Number Plate System
Since 2001, the UK has used a fixed alphanumeric format: two regional letters, two numbers denoting the age, and three random letters. The age identifier changes twice a year, ensuring clarity about when a vehicle was first registered.
3. The Role of Age Identifiers in Registrations
The two-digit code in the middle of the plate tells you the six-month period in which the vehicle was registered. This small detail influences a car’s resale value, desirability, and even insurance categorisation.
4. What the ‘25’ Plate Represents
A ‘25’ plate is issued between 1 March 2025 and 31 August 2025. It signals that the vehicle is a 2025 model, registered in the first half of the registration year.
5. What the ‘75’ Plate Represents
A ‘75’ plate is issued between 1 September 2025 and 28 February 2026. It covers vehicles registered in the second half of the year and often coincides with the introduction of updated model-year specifications.
6. The Biannual Plate Change System
This system allows manufacturers to spread demand and gives buyers two chances a year to register a brand-new plate. March and September are high-traffic months for dealerships, with spikes in new registrations.
7. How Age Identifiers Are Assigned
For March releases, the year’s last two digits are used (2025 → ‘25’). For September releases, the year’s last two digits are increased by 50 (2025 → ‘75’). This formula repeats annually, maintaining a predictable cycle.
8. Examples of ‘25’ Plate Registrations
Plates such as AB25 XYZ, KM25 BGT, or LO25 PQR would all be valid ‘25’ registrations, instantly indicating a March-to-August 2025 origin.
9. Examples of ‘75’ Plate Registrations
Registrations like GH75 MNL, CR75 ZYP, or WP75 JDK fall under the September-to-February release window, aligning with the ‘75’ code.
10. Why the System Uses Two Change Dates Per Year
The split encourages steady sales across the year, avoids market saturation, and provides manufacturers with an opportunity to introduce mid-year updates or promotions.
11. How ‘25’ and ‘75’ Plates Affect Perceived Vehicle Value
A newer plate code can boost a car’s perceived value, even if the vehicle is only months younger than one with the previous code. Many buyers will pay a premium for the “latest plate.”
12. The Impact on Depreciation and Resale
Vehicles with September plates (‘75’) may appear newer for longer, delaying the point at which they seem “last year’s model.” This can sometimes help retain resale value marginally better than a March (‘25’) plate.
13. Ordering a New Vehicle to Match a Plate Release
Some buyers delay delivery until a new plate is released, ensuring they receive the latest identifier. Dealers often coordinate order timelines around plate change dates to maximise customer satisfaction.
14. Private Plates vs Age Identifier Plates
Private plates can disguise a vehicle’s age entirely, removing the visual clue provided by the age identifier. While this can aid resale, it eliminates the prestige of having the newest plate.
15. Common Misconceptions About ‘25’ and ‘75’ Plates
One common myth is that ‘75’ plates indicate a special edition or rare release. In reality, they are simply the biannual update to the age code. Another misconception is that one is “more legal” than the other—both are equally valid.
16. Future Plate Identifiers and the Road Ahead
Following the same pattern, 2026 will see ‘26’ and ‘76’, 2027 will see ‘27’ and ‘77’, and so on. This predictable sequence will continue until the DVLA revises the format.
17. Conclusion – Choosing the Right Plate for Your Needs
Whether you opt for a ‘25’ or ‘75’ plate often comes down to timing and personal preference. Both carry the prestige of a brand-new registration, but the subtle difference in perception can influence how your vehicle is viewed on the market.