The twice-yearly new vehicle registrations have lost their appeal for car buyers, new research has suggested.

As the trade gears up for the release of the new 72-plate on September 1st, the study for independent dealer Motorpoint shows that fewer than five percent (4.9%) of potential car buyers are bothered about the digits on their number plate. 

The poll of 1,000 people found most considered a wide range of other factors much more important when deciding on their next car.Top of the list for more than three-fifths (63.1%) of would-be buyers is the vehicle’s fuel type. Perhaps unsurprisingly in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, this was closely followed by price (52.2%) and running costs (47.1%). 

The brand image was next on the list, with 27.4% of those surveyed saying the cachet of the badge on the front of the car would be the next thing they considered.There was then a tie for the fifth most important influencer, with 20.8% of those surveyed citing the overall look of the car and the mileage on the clock as deciding factors for used models. 

A wide range of other considerations, including colour, safety features, comfort, availability and onboard technology all ranked more highly than the age identifier on the registration plate. 

Dean Walker, Director of Stock and Purchasing at Motorpoint, said: “Many of us will remember just how big a deal the launch of a new registration plate used to be. Dealerships would open at midnight, with customers queuing up to take delivery of their new car so they could be among the first on the road with the new reg. 

“Our study confirms what we suspected - this is no longer a major factor in the decision-making process for car buyers. It would seem that many people are still unsure how the registration number system works so don’t realise ‘22’ was released in March and that ‘72’ will be launched next month.”

Drivers still don't really understand the new plate system, says dealer