What year is an E reg?
E at the start: 1 August 1987 – 31 July 1988
Plates like E123 ABC are prefix plates, used from August 1983 to August 2001. The first letter is the year identifier.
A car first registered then is 38–39 years old today.
E at the end: 1 January 1967 – 31 July 1967
Plates like ABC 123E are suffix plates, used from 1963 to July 1983. The last letter is the year identifier.
E ran from January to July 1967 only, when the yearly change moved from 1 January to 1 August.
A car first registered then is 59 years old today.
What can an E reg plate go on?
A plate can’t make a vehicle look newer than it is. An E prefix plate can go on vehicles first registered on or after 1 August 1987. An E suffix plate can go on vehicles first registered on or after 1 January 1967.
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 an E reg 1987–88?
If the E is the first character, yes: E prefix plates were issued from 1 August 1987 to 31 July 1988. If it’s the last character, the car is from January 1967 – July 1967.
How old is an E reg car?
In November 2026, an E prefix car is 38–39 years old and an E suffix car is 59 years old, counted from first registration.
Can I put an E reg plate on my car?
Only if the car is at least as new as the plate. An E prefix plate can go on vehicles first registered on or after 1 August 1987; an E suffix plate on vehicles from 1 January 1967.
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.