reg plate snobbery

Captain Slow IRL

Hi all,
I was talking to one of the salesmen today, he was on about a course he was at just before christmas. Anyhoo, a few other dealerships were represented there and servicing was brought up. Some of the other dealerships wouldn't touch any car older than '00. I thought this was a bit snobby; we've had a hillman (something or other) along with a 60's beetle in for work along with the "regular customers" late 80's/early 90's cars in for servicing on a regular basis.
Anyone ever been turned away from a dealership cause their car was too old?!?!

astrofool

I wouldn't call it snobbery, just they don't want to work with old cars (snobbery would be more like not accepting cars worth below a certain value, or only accepting D reg cars).

Their loss, your gain.

ninty9er

Went to a BMW dealers a few weeks ago before I decided on a car and said I'd seen an ad for a 00 5 Series on carzone. The salesman looked at me all puzzled and went about asking the rest if they knew anything about it. Nobody did, and anyhow....."we wouldn't retail anything that old".

It had a FBMWSH and incidentally WAS on their carzone profile when he checked. Turns out it was a private sale they didn't want to take off someone buying a new 5 Series!!!

RobAMerc

a dealer once asked me why would he want to take in my old yoke against his newer car ? ( funny i thought thats what they did !)

unkel

ninty9er wrote: »

Went to a BMW dealers a few weeks ago before I decided on a car and said I'd seen an ad for a 00 5 Series on carzone. The salesman looked at me all puzzled and went about asking the rest if they knew anything about it. Nobody did, and anyhow....."we wouldn't retail anything that old"

Typically only cherry-picked cars are on a main dealers forecourt. For most dealers this would mean nearly new cars and definitely no cars older than 5 years unless they are special. The rest is shipped of to the trade as quickly as possible

keefg

astrofool wrote: »

snobbery would be more like not accepting cars worth below a certain value, or only accepting D reg cars.

Their loss, your gain.

I was told by a main dealer sales rep the reason for D plate snobbery (in Dubin anyway) that according to their price research a 6 month old Mitz Lancer with say a Rosscommon plate was worth approx 3.5 to 4 thousand euro less than a Dublin plate - that's if both cars were for sale in Dublin.

Now that's with both cars having the same spec, mileage etc - so you can see from that point of view that it's not really snobbery, just business sense.

colm_mcm

keefg wrote: »

I was told by a main dealer sales rep the reason for D plate snobbery (in Dubin anyway) that according to their price research a 6 month old Mitz Lancer with say a Rosscommon plate was worth approx 3.5 to 4 thousand euro less than a Dublin plate - that's if both cars were for sale in Dublin.

Now that's with both cars having the same spec, mileage etc - so you can see from that point of view that it's not really snobbery, just business sense.

sounds like a load of bull.

I thought this was because the finance peoples don't offer it on cars over a certain number of years old....I think it is 7.

leahcim

I took my wifes 99 opel corsa to the Opel garage on the Broomhill road to get a service and a problem fixed. They said they couldn't do the work as they did not work on cars over five years old. I was a bit shocked to hear this.

I then brought it to the Opel garage in Celbridge and they had no problem fixing it.

I can only think of two reasons why a garage would want to do this.

1. Their staff are not experienced in fixing older models and parts are more hastle to order.

2. They may want to make you feel your car is obsolete so you will start think of upgrading.

Captain Slow IRL

I'm on about servicing more so than sales - we've taken in a few cheap yokes as trade in's against new cars, but they're usually gone within a week.

I can understand the snobbery (sorry for using this word, insert more appropriate word there!) as it can be a pain in the hole when you're undoing rusty nuts and bolts, which plague the older jap cars in particular. But what if you have, for example, an e30 bmw with a full main dealer history and you wanna keep it that way?!

hi5

leahcim wrote: »

I took my wifes 99 opel corsa to the Opel garage on the Broomhill road to get a service and a problem fixed. They said they couldn't do the work as they did not work on cars over five years old. I was a bit shocked to hear this.

I bet they dont advertise this when their trying to sell you a new one.

E92

leahcim wrote: »

1. Their staff are not experienced in fixing older models and parts are more hastle to order.

Older cars are actually easier to service than new ones I'm reliably informed. Certainly if you look at older cars, you will see a lot less covering etc under the bonnet.

leahcim wrote: »

2. They may want to make you feel your car is obsolete so you will start think of upgrading.

This is highly probable. And if you have a 1.0 Corsa, the engine used back then is very similar to the one used today, so there is no excuse for it being an "obsolete" engine.

Sandwich

It isnt snobbery its economics.

Dealers have no interest in snobbery (they leave that to the customers coming in to buy new cars), but in making money. Newer cars are a better money making prospect than old ones for them so that is what they choose to deal in.

keefg

colm_mcm wrote: »

sounds like a load of bull.

Me thinks you speak the truth.

Captain Slow IRL

Sandwich wrote: »

Newer cars are a better money making prospect than old ones for them so that is what they choose to deal in.

We had a 92 accord in for pre-nct work - the owner had a bill for over 1100e when he came in (LOT of work done!)

We also had a 04 vitara in for a pre-nct check as well, the bill was under 100e when the customer came in (few small jobs to do on it).

Need I say any more?!

WHITE_P

The main Toyota dealer in Cavan had a 1990 Nissan Patrol commercial in the autotrader about two years ago. I called in one day to look at it as I have a 1983 one with shot body, great engine, low milage etc. I parked my compnay 04 land crusier outside and walked in to ask about the patrol, as it happened I was standing beside a brand new land cruiser amazon when the sales rep came over, from his smile when I asked about the Patrol, I would say they were getting more interest in it, than the LC amazon. He said it was gone within days. Dublin dealers seem to have a very negative attitude towards second hand cars anyway. They will try to put down any trade in while singing the praises of whatever they are trying to sell you.

Wishbone Ash

colm_mcm wrote: »

sounds like a load of bull.

I don't think so colm.

I'm not a 'snob' regarding the year (current car is 10 years old) but I am when it comes to the county of registration.

Why do you think garages outside Dublin specifically advertise that a car has a 'D' reg? You'll never see them saying 'CN' registered! Similarly, most very top-end marques are Dublin registered regardless of which county they are used in because, otherwise they are impossible to sell afterwards.

I know that may signify a shallow person but I can't be perfect in every way!

Wishbone Ash

WHITE_P wrote: »

They will try to put down any trade in while singing the praises of whatever they are trying to sell you.

That's just business - ther're hardly going to 'talk up' your trade in!

MarkN

110% true.

Try sell two 2007 R32s with identicle spec - one with a D reg and the other with a LH reg. Then see which one goes quicker!

I remember seeing a 04 M3 with a LH reg and I just thought to myself, you have a gorgeous car but it has been ruined by that reg - it just didn't look right.

Wishbone Ash

MarkN wrote: »

I remember seeing a 04 M3 with a LH reg and I just thought to myself, you have a gorgeous car but it has been ruined by that reg - it just didn't look right.

There's a Leitrim registered yellow M3 going around also (but it is spaced to read ** L M3).

Biro

I can't for the life of me understand this reg snobbery. It really baffles me. A reg plate looks crap on a car anyway, but they're a legal requirement so just stick them on. A D reg if anything looks crude as the numbers are so high you just get a plate crammed with characters.
It's all the feckin one! That LM reg M3 is just as fast as a D reg M3... (possibly faster, as the D reg one probably is clogged with carbon from traffic driving! )

Senna

I bought a car off a local fella (small time car dealer in Donegal) he bought it in the UK and when i seen it, it had UK plates on it. I was in two minds whither to buy it, but two weeks later i came back for a test drive. It was now on a D reg, but the car had never even been to Dublin. The fella said he gets his friend to reg it in dublin, and then he gets a better price for it.

Rowley Birkin QC

MarkN wrote: »

110% true.

Try sell two 2007 R32s with identicle spec - one with a D reg and the other with a LH reg. Then see which one goes quicker!

I remember seeing a 04 M3 with a LH reg and I just thought to myself, you have a gorgeous car but it has been ruined by that reg - it just didn't look right.

Seriously MarkN, "ruined"?? Hardly.

Nearly positive I saw an Aston lately with a TN reg. Looked great, a real thumb to the pale.

Also, where did that Veyron end up getting regged?

rainbowtrout

Biro wrote: »

I can't for the life of me understand this reg snobbery. It really baffles me. A reg plate looks crap on a car anyway, but they're a legal requirement so just stick them on. A D reg if anything looks crude as the numbers are so high you just get a plate crammed with characters.
It's all the feckin one! That LM reg M3 is just as fast as a D reg M3... (possibly faster, as the D reg one probably is clogged with carbon from traffic driving! )

+1


There's a twat driving a Merc around Boyle the last few years and every time he changes it, it has the reg ** D 4007, except it's spaced to be D4 007

very sad. I'm not sure which is worse the D4 or the 007 part.

Wishbone Ash

Biro wrote: »

A reg plate looks crap on a car anyway

And some look way more crap than others!

Wishbone Ash

bigkev49 wrote: »

saw an Aston lately with a TN reg. Looked great, a real thumb to the pale

...until he wants to sell it again!

Rowley Birkin QC

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

...until he wants to sell it again!

There are people outside dublin who are interested in cars and have money.

What would you think of the 08-C-xxx M3 I saw the other day then?!

MarkN

bigkev49 wrote: »

There are people outside dublin who are interested in cars and have money.

What would you think of the 08-C-xxx M3 I saw the other day then?!

It's just one of those unwritten rules me to me. My girlfriend is from the country and she wouldn't even drive anything but a D reg.

As for a C reg M3 - the more exclusive the car, the worse it looks IMO.

I know plenty of people driving expensive cars that might not live in Dublin but were told to give a Dublin address when registering their cars by the dealers.

Most people in the motor trade will back all this up by the way!!

L1011

leahcim wrote: »

I took my wifes 99 opel corsa to the Opel garage on the Broomhill road to get a service and a problem fixed. They said they couldn't do the work as they did not work on cars over five years old. I was a bit shocked to hear this.

I've seen cars over 5 years old there frequently... Fiats, however. I'm presuming you mean the Opel garage on the Airton Road as its only a Subaru garage on the Broomhill Road...

I've never had a D reg, DL/MH/KE to date and I intend my next car to be a DL plate again if possible. Get let out of the carpark in Ballybofey easier

Theboinkmaster

MarkN wrote: »

It's just one of those unwritten rules me to me. My girlfriend is from the country and she wouldn't even drive anything but a D reg.

As for a C reg M3 - the more exclusive the car, the worse it looks IMO.

I know plenty of people driving expensive cars that might not live in Dublin but were told to give a Dublin address when registering their cars by the dealers.

Most people in the motor trade will back all this up by the way!!

He's 100% right - the exact same 2008 D m3 would sell quicker than the 2008 C m3, or a bit cheaper, certainly wouldn't be ruined though!

I think it's stupid but just the way it is - personally I couldn't care less about my reg but wouldn't get one outside Dublin due to problems selling it on or trading it in

MarkN

Ok, "ruined" was probably a bit strong a word.

But at a disadvantage compared to the same car with a D reg.

I nearly bought an M3 in 2006 - one of the factors I didn't was that it had an MH reg.

WHITE_P

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

That's just business - ther're hardly going to 'talk up' your trade in!

Too True

E92

I'd make sure I never buy a car with a D reg, simply because in all probability D reg cars would have spent most of their lives stuck in traffic whereas a car with a rural reg would in all probability have spent most of it's life out on country roads or on Motorways.

Driving a car in traffic all the time is very bad for a car, plus I see no point in playing more for a plate from the pale, if anything I should be paying less to buy an inferior car!

WHITE_P

rainbowtrout wrote: »

+1


There's a twat driving a Merc around Boyle the last few years and every time he changes it, it has the reg ** D 4007, except it's spaced to be D4 007

very sad. I'm not sure which is worse the D4 or the 007 part.

He's from Boyle enough said !!!

stratos

When your driving your 15 year old 5 litre car that has more power in its starter motor than most cars at 115 mph with a huge grin on yer face, you can't see the reg plate from where your sitting. :):):):). Obviously at a track day of course.

mik_da_man

I heard that you can re-reg the car in a different County if you want.
Is this true??.....

Would sort out this Messing

I personally Have a "MH" Reg on my car as I'm from Meath and proud.
Could have it D reg if I wanted - But why would I want that

Mik

L1011

mik_da_man wrote: »

I heard that you can re-reg the car in a different County if you want.
Is this true??.....

No, its not.

Rory123

That 007 thing is as naf as fook! Remember everyone going getting a 77 in the reg of the Audi TT when it came out? It's just a bit sad.

TJJP

MarkN wrote: »

I know plenty of people driving expensive cars that might not live in Dublin but were told to give a Dublin address when registering their cars by the dealers.

Most people in the motor trade will back all this up by the way!!

Fact, I'm afraid. Looks silly but with a 10k difference at trade in time it's a D reg for me all the way.

Does depend on the motor though, 06 D reg S320 or 06 RN reg S320. Which is more likely to have spent two years towing horseboxes in a prospective buyer's opinion?

C_Breeze

This is all a bit sad and if anything higlights how stupid our reg system is with car years - and now with counties being sneerd at by snobs who want to experience "08 D's" parked in their driveway - even if it is a bargain-bin Punto

..what next , cars with even numbers will be more valuable and cars with negative numbers in their reg will be frowned upon :rolleyes:

Seriously though, do you reckon any other countries experience this stupid shallow mentality that we have here? - In Germany do you really think they give 2 f**ks if their M3's , 911's or AMG's are registered in Frankfurt, Berlin or Stuttgart :rolleyes:

stratos

I agree with c breeze and they are too busy driving at fast speeds on safe uncluttered roads, yearly reg plates were a cynical introduction to this country to increase car sales and with our insane vrt, tax returns.

galwaytt

colm_mcm wrote: »

sounds like a load of bull.

Alas, but no. Crap it may be, but bull it is not.........

Fact: in 2001, a friend of mine wanted to trade his 99 Honda Accord 1.8, and found a 6mth old 320d Touring.

As the salesman took the details of the Honda for a trade-in value, he asked what reg it was.
"99 D xxx," my friend told him.
"Ok, I'll give you xx' for it"
"Do you want to see it, it's outside?"
"No, that's o.k., so long as it has a D plate"
"...and if it didn't ?"
" I could only offer 1k less for it..........the trade in Dublin wouldn't take a non-D reg car from us........"

My bud always, always, reg's them in Dublin.

So now you know............just 'cos it has a D plate..........doesn't mean we haven't been towing the ****e out of it!!:D:D

You have to love the irony of it!!

TJJP

C_Breeze wrote: »

Seriously though, do you reckon any other countries experience this stupid shallow mentality that we have here? - In Germany do you really think they give 2 f**ks if their M3's , 911's or AMG's are registered in Frankfurt, Berlin or Stuttgart :rolleyes:

No, 'cause whenever a person changes their main place of residence, or buys a new car in Germany or Japan for example, they are required to buy new number plates. )-:

That would solve the 'problem' here I reckon.

Wishbone Ash

E92 wrote: »

I'd make sure I never buy a car with a D reg, simply because in all probability D reg cars would have spent most of their lives stuck in traffic

If one were to use that logic one would assume all non-Dublin registered cars spend all their lives towing Ifor Williams trailers up and down bad bendy roads.

But, of course, we know that isn't the case. I do 40,000kms per year in the car - 95% of it away from heavy traffic. Dublin is also a county .

Max_Damage

Just to get my two cents in here...

I reckon we should bring back the pre-1987 type reg. plates. Red plates on the rear and white plates on the front. Like the good ol' days!

Rory123

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

If one were to use that logic one would assume all non-Dublin registered cars spend all their lives towing Ifor Williams trailers up and down bad bendy roads.

But, of course, we know that isn't the case. I do 40,000kms per year in the car - 95% of it away from heavy traffic. Dublin is also a county .

E92 made the same post on a different topic the other day and I gave a similar reply to yours. I'm a getting a bit browned off with people from the country only knowing about tallaght, ballymun and the m50... what about Fingal (no, I dont mean finglas) for example?!

I live well inside Co. Dublin, yet I live in the absolute sticks, our house is surrounded by fields and our neighbours are quite far away! Its a 20 minute drive to a large town and a few miles from any village. I also spend very little time in traffic. don't forget that quite a large part of Dublin is countryside folks!!!

vector

Generally people don't want others to know that they bought something second-hand, be it a coat from a charity shop, a car radio from ebay*[1], or a car.

So a man living in Donegal looking to buy a second hand car will want a DL reg. If he bought a KY reg his friends would know he bought second hand.

For various reasons, such as fleet cars, the D reg has become a familiar sight in all counties, so the Donegal man could just about get away with driving a D reg and pretending it was a fleet car.

I know it sounds cringeworthy, but it is the reality. When it comes to buying a car you might splash out on a pointless spoiler purely for aesthetics, well then, does it not follow that something else visible to the public such as the reg plate should be thought about.

*[1] althought some people love to boast about buying second hand for its environmental credentials and savings.

Wishbone Ash

vector wrote: »

So a man living in Donegal looking to buy a second hand car will want a DL reg. If he bought a KY reg his friends would know he bought second hand.

Would his 'friends' not know that he changed cars?

vector wrote:

For various reasons, such as fleet cars, the D reg has become a familiar sight in all counties, so the Donegal man could just about get away with driving a D reg and pretending it was a fleet car.

Yes, because many companies have their HQs in Dublin, all their vehicles are automatically registered there regardless of where they are used. Most Government Department vehicles are also Dublin registered the only exception being Education on WH plates.

Biro

MarkN wrote: »

I nearly bought an M3 in 2006 - one of the factors I didn't was that it had an MH reg.

That's terrible... I'm actually shocked at this, from a "car enthusiast". I really can't get my head around this.
The dealers are right to charge less for non-D reg cars, purely because so many people up there think exactly like MarkN. I have no respect for that kind of thinking. In fact, I wouldn't reg a car a D reg out of spite, cause I sell my cars privately and I wouldn't want any tool ringing me with that attitude.

bman

Rory123 wrote: »

E92 made the same post on a different topic the other day and I gave a similar reply to yours. I'm a getting a bit browned off with people from the country only knowing about tallaght, ballymun and the m50... what about Fingal (no, I dont mean finglas) for example?!

I live well inside Co. Dublin, yet I live in the absolute sticks, our house is surrounded by fields and our neighbours are quite far away! Its a 20 minute drive to a large town and a few miles from any village. I also spend very little time in traffic. don't forget that quite a large part of Dublin is countryside folks!!!

Yeah, but most of the people that live in Dublin live in the city or suburbs. Therefore it is a reasonable assumption to make that the majority of D registered cars have spent majority of their life crawling along in traffic jams.

I for one can't understand reg plate snobbery at all, but I'm glad it's there coz I can buy the same spec car with a non D reg for less money (although with the price of the cars I'm buying I can't see it making much of a difference ).

Wishbone Ash

Biro wrote: »

That's terrible... I'm actually shocked at this, from a "car enthusiast". I really can't get my head around this.

A person is perfectly entitled to take everything into consideration. Why would you be shocked? If the car spec doesn't meet their requirements why would they buy it? I wouldn't buy a car if I wasn't happy with the plate or colour (all else being equal). I'd just wait for another one that met my requirements. It would be a bit stupid to buy otherwise!

Biro wrote:

The dealers are right to charge less for non-D reg cars, purely because so many people up there think exactly like MarkN

It's not just the people 'up there'. As has been stated several times in this thread, many people from outside Dublin register their car in Dublin to 'neutralise' it and increase it resale potential.

Biro wrote:

I wouldn't reg a car a D reg out of spite

That would be your loss Biro. I don't think anyone else is going to be bothered one way or another.