'17 reg plate value

[ehp]

Does anyone have an opinion about how much value there is in waiting five weeks to get a '17 plate? I'm thinking it could be anywhere between five weeks depreciation and six months, or is it not as simple as that?

[Simon Jones]

Be mindful of the new car tax rules that apply from 1st April so don't leave it too late: https://www.gov.uk/newvehicletaxrates

[ehp]

Yes, that's a good point Simon. In fact it was being cautious of the April change that has resulted in the car being available now. So the question was really what sort incentive would be reasonable to accept from the dealer to take the car now rather than at the start of March.

[Whyman]

It will be worth more on a 17 plate when you come to trade in.

Is the dealer wanting you to take it before 1st March?

The dealer may be trying to make a target of new sales which may trigger for them a cash bonus from Volvo on all their sales in the last period.

Worth having a conversation with them, and if no joy register after 1st March and definitely on or before 31st March which may save you £310 per year for the first 5 years if the list price is over £40k.

[xsaab]

and also make it a more desirable buy as the road tax is going to be less for the next owner.

[NigelDay]

I'd go for a 17-plate. If the dealer tells you he needs to 'sell' it to you before then, you could tell him your finance is not available until the first week of March (or some other plausible excuse). Obviously you may have already fixed your finance arrangements with the dealer so this excuse may not apply. Depends also when the particular 'sales periods' are.

[Sasha94]

If it's PCP deal it makes no difference as the GMFV is fixed and upfront so the payments are the same, gone are the days of the once a year plate change that made a difference slightly. If it's cash it depends on the initial deal. Personally I'd shoot for March 1st delivery on a 17 plate as it is the new plate and if you're having a new car you may as well have the new plate but that's psychosomatic, it doesn't bare much resemblance to the maths.

[niggly]

One thing I found in the early 90s. Bought a new Renault Espace, for cash. 4 young kids, not my ideal choice but needs must! I believe that dealers have targets for each model in order to make their overall 'target from their manufacturer. Leastwise they used to.
Tunbridge Wells, Kent very affluent, middle class = 2% discount. Horley nr Crawley the opposite, about equidistant from me and 22 miles apart, = 12% discount. Couldn't sell any Espaces in Horley. Needed to in order to hit overall target. I was amazed at the difference.

[ehp]

Thanks for all your input. I hadn't considered that the GMFV would mean it doesn't matter for PCP, although in this case it isn't a PCP deal. Looks like most of you would wait until 1st March. I'm still in the dark about the maths, but then with buying a new car, it's perhaps best not to think about the maths too much.

[Marty Dolomite]

Originally Posted by xsaab

and also make it a more desirable buy as the road tax is going to be less for the next owner.

Depends what car it is as some it will make no difference on an older car, the new 'tax' banding is only for new cars. a