What year is a C reg?
C at the start: 1 August 1985 – 31 July 1986
Plates like C123 ABC are prefix plates, used from August 1983 to August 2001. The first letter is the year identifier.
A car first registered then is 40–41 years old today.
C at the end: 1 January 1965 – 31 December 1965
Plates like ABC 123C are suffix plates, used from 1963 to July 1983. The last letter is the year identifier.
A car first registered then is 60–61 years old today.
What can a C reg plate go on?
A plate can’t make a vehicle look newer than it is. A C prefix plate can go on vehicles first registered on or after 1 August 1985. A C suffix plate can go on vehicles first registered on or after 1 January 1965.
Buying or selling the car?
The plate tells you when a car was first registered, not its history. Check its MOT record before you buy.
Common questions
Is a C reg 1985–86?
If the C is the first character, yes: C prefix plates were issued from 1 August 1985 to 31 July 1986. If it’s the last character, the car is from January 1965 – December 1965.
How old is a C reg car?
In November 2026, a C prefix car is 40–41 years old and a C suffix car is 60–61 years old, counted from first registration.
Can I put a C reg plate on my car?
Only if the car is at least as new as the plate. A C prefix plate can go on vehicles first registered on or after 1 August 1985; a C suffix plate on vehicles from 1 January 1965.
Got a full reg? Check it in the year checker or see the full year chart.
Source: GOV.UK: Vehicle registration numbers and number plates (INF104). Ages are worked out from first registration as of 3 November 2026.