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Why is there a year on a number plate?

245

Comments

  • #32
    CiniO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,041 ✭✭✭✭CiniO


    UK system is as clear as Irish.

    It takes only few second to understand it once someone explains it to you - same as Irish.
    On the other hand, person from abroad won't know what it means without explaining - same as Irish system.


    Only difference is that UK system provides reg number for over 30 million register vehicles with just 7 characters on the plate, while Irish system needs up to 9 (or soon enough 10) characters to provide regs for just over 2 million vehicles.

    Irish system is probably the worst in the EU for hit&run where number plate needs to be read quickly and memorised from running away car.


  • #33
    bear1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,894 ✭✭✭✭bear1


    Jesus the crap spouted here.
    How is our number plate system any harder than other countries?
    Italy used to put the year on their plates, Mauritius uses the year, Portugal I believe a so does it.
    The idea that it would be impossible to memorise the plate has more to do with your memory than anything.
    There are far more complicated versions in my opinion.


  • #34
    GM228
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,917 ✭✭✭GM228


    Icaras wrote: »
    My understanding is the troubles influenced a change into the new style, they were made simpler for people to understand and remember to help the guards identify cars used in robberies.

    Not sure how true this is as I heard it in a pub but it did make sense to me.

    This was the main reason for the change, in 1986 John Boland suggested and implemented the change form 1987 to distinguish between North and South as both sides used the same registration system.


  • #35
    stefanovich
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,490 ✭✭✭stefanovich


    Live65a846d0ee wrote: »
    It does but it is much more subtle, hard to tell without looking at the table.

    Not true. They moved on from letters and now the 3rd and 4th digits are used.

    13 is 2013 63 is the 2nd half of 2013


  • #36
    stefanovich
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,490 ✭✭✭stefanovich


    kceire wrote: »
    UK system just as easy to read as ours.
    My uk car is SM14. 2014 car, simples.

    Our system is one of the easiest systems in existence and works perfectly. My only gripe is the 161 and 162 fiasco that SIMI lobbied for.

    UK has the same system now. It's because every Irish person wants the newest lowest spec 1,4 diesel ****box going.


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  • #37
    Allinall
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,418 ✭✭✭Allinall


    stefanovich wrote: »
    UK has the same system now. It's because every Irish person wants the newest lowest spec 1,4 diesel ****box going.

    Yeah- that's really true.

    Not.


  • #38
    Marcusm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,809 ✭✭✭✭Marcusm


    stefanovich wrote: »
    Not true. They moved on from letters and now the 3rd and 4th digits are used.

    13 is 2013 63 is the 2nd half of 2013

    Nearly right. 13 is from 1 March 2013 to 31 August 2013. 63 is 1 September 2013 to 28 February 2014.


  • #39
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73,302 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    stefanovich wrote: »
    UK has the same system now. It's because every Irish person wants the newest lowest spec 1,4 diesel ****box going.

    They've had it since 2001 in the uk


  • #40
    CiniO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,041 ✭✭✭✭CiniO


    bear1 wrote: »
    Jesus the crap spouted here.
    How is our number plate system any harder than other countries?
    Italy used to put the year on their plates, Mauritius uses the year, Portugal I believe a so does it.
    The idea that it would be impossible to memorise the plate has more to do with your memory than anything.
    There are far more complicated versions in my opinion.

    Irish system has probably reg numbers with the most characters on the plate all over EU.
    More characters is more difficult to remember, and even more importantly more difficult to read from running away vehicle.


  • #41
    Alun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,502 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    Live65a846d0ee wrote: »
    That is a lie. What about Sweden and Netherlands? They have 6 characters. XXX 999
    The problem with the Dutch system is that they keep changing the sequence of letters and numbers around when they run out of registrations.

    So, for a while it was XX-NN-XX, where N is a digit and X is a letter, and then they ran out and it became XX-XX-NN and then NN-XX-XX. Now they've completely mixed it up and it''s become N-XXX-99. Then there's special combinations for goods vehicles, mopeds, motorbikes, agricultural vehicles. In short it's a complete mess.


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  • #42
    737max
    Closed Accounts Posts: 964 ✭✭✭737max


    If there wasn't a year number then the Insurers couldn't load based on vehicle age.
    In Ireland there is a ridiculous situation where it is possible to insure a year 2004 but not a 1998 VW Golf Mk4. Both can be roadworthy but one gets insurance loaded while the other doesn't.
    In Germany you provide the HSN/TSN number for the model of car you have and that is all that the insurer needs to know
    http://hsn-tsn.de/

    Germany is a car manufacturing country but doesn't put the year in the number plate to try to force people to buy newer cars.
    Ireland produces no cars and incentives people to send cash out of the country rather than keeping it in the country by putting a full 3 more numbers at the start of the number plate.


  • #43
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73,302 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    737max wrote: »
    If there wasn't a year number then the Insurers couldn't load based on vehicle age.
    .

    Why not? They'd still have access to the registration date


  • #44
    InTheAttic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 85 ✭✭InTheAttic


    Live65a846d0ee wrote: »
    Of course the only country in the world. So I buy a car and I have to show everyone ''Oh look at me can you see? I have a new car that I just bought'' it's a problem for me as I am a humble person and want privacy and not for everyone to see that I bought a new car.

    It's to boost sales. Introducing the bi-annual numbering system was to try and boost car sales even further. Us Irish are suckers for begrudgery and wanting to show off. And then when you factor into account that most cars are bought on credit, it makes the whole thing even more laughable.


  • #45
    737max
    Closed Accounts Posts: 964 ✭✭✭737max


    Because it would be exposed as the totally senseless and despicable money making wheeze that it is.
    If the two cars have the same hsn/tsn number then they are undeniably inherently the same and there is no justifiable reason to distinguish between them based on an arbitrary age threshold.


  • #46
    TheAnalyst_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,370 ✭✭✭TheAnalyst_


    The bi-annual system was brought in because some politicians were worried 13 cars wouldn't sell because its an unlucky number. Shambolic.


  • #47
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73,302 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    737max wrote: »
    Because it would be exposed as the totally senseless and despicable money making wheeze that it is.
    If the two cars have the same hsn/tsn number then they are undeniably inherently the same and there is no justifiable reason to distinguish between them based on an arbitrary age threshold.

    They're discriminating on age rather than the reg number, the age would still be the same regardless of the registration number system we might use.

    (Age being from when they were first put into use)


  • #48
    Brian Scan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,289 ✭✭✭Brian Scan


    stefanovich wrote: »
    UK has the same system now. It's because every Irish person wants the newest lowest spec 1,4 diesel ****box going.

    If you're Irish surely you've disproved your own thesis.


  • #49
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73,302 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    1.4 litre diesel cars and under account for 11% of new car registrations this year.


  • #50
    Dial Hard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,969 ✭✭✭✭Dial Hard


    737max wrote:
    If there wasn't a year number then the Insurers couldn't load based on vehicle age.

    Sorry, what?


  • #51
    newacc2015
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,375 ✭✭✭newacc2015


    737max wrote: »
    If there wasn't a year number then the Insurers couldn't load based on vehicle age.
    In Ireland there is a ridiculous situation where it is possible to insure a year 2004 but not a 1998 VW Golf Mk4. Both can be roadworthy but one gets insurance loaded while the other doesn't.

    The age of the car has nothing to do with its road worthiness. The maths guys in the insurance companies look at risk constantly. They noticed cars older than than 15 years old were statistically more likely to be used in sham car accidents, as it is cheaper to buy a 92 golf and do a sham claim, than a 2012 golf. So to stop people buying bangers and committing fraudulent claims, insurers have don't insuring cheaper cars ie older than 15 years.

    FYI is possible to get insurance on that 1998 VW Golf Mk4. It is just very expensive, as I have stated it is based on the extra risk of that car being used in a claim. Think about it for a minute. If there was no risk of that 1998 Golf being used in an accident, it would make sense for an insurer to sell a policy for it as it is risk free money.
    737max wrote: »
    Germany is a car manufacturing country but doesn't put the year in the number plate to try to force people to buy newer cars.
    Ireland produces no cars and incentives people to send cash out of the country rather than keeping it in the country by putting a full 3 more numbers at the start of the number plate.

    The Irish Government forces people to buy new cars??? :eek:

    If you go to the leafy suburbs of Dublin, where people are living in €5-10m homes. You will see driveways filled with 98, 02, 01 cars. As these people have nothing to prove. If you go to the midlands or the West, you will see a ton of 161, 171 etc cars as people who have living in a 2 up, 2 down subsiding in the ground need to prove them have money, they dont have.

    The year of reg on car plates is a tax on stupidity. Its a tax on people who are so shallow and concerned about others who dont care about them, think about them. That have to buy a new car they can't afford every 3 years. The smart people living in a €5m home don't care what their neighbours have to think and will happily buy a value second hand car that a poor office worker can't be seen dead in...


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  • #52
    737max
    Closed Accounts Posts: 964 ✭✭✭737max


    Interesting to see people defending the indefensible loading of older cars based on year when in other European Countries it would cause consumer revolt and would be prohibited by Government.
    Ireland is very different.
    A year 2004 and 1998 Mark IV Golf would be valued in Germany primarily on the odometer reading, condition and whether it has a certificate of roadworthiness. German car valuation websites stop giving quotes for cars over 8 years of age because beyond that point the value of a car depends mostly on condition.


  • #53
    737max
    Closed Accounts Posts: 964 ✭✭✭737max


    Irish cars basically have reached a residual value after 10 years.
    In other European countries this depreciation curve is spread over 15 to 20 years.
    You buy a 30000 car and in 10 years it has a 1500 euro residual value because it is an old car. That is 2850 depreciation straight line per year which is a huge cost for transportation.
    You buy the same model of car for 20000 in Germany and at 10 years it will have a value of 4000 to 5000 euro. 1500 straight line depreciation with plenty of life left in the car and no fears that you won't be able to insure it forcing you to upgrade.

    The plate system and the insurnace system are putting huge expense on the Irish motorist but people aren't stepping back and looking at it properly.

    ...and you can't even opt out of the madness of buying a car in Ireland as apart from your own two feet there are few alternate transport options available to you.

    I'm seeing Irish older large engined cars now being steadily exported to Germany because it makes financial sense to do so. The adverts appear every few days; mostly german, mostly 2 litre and over. They are cars that cost an arm and a leg to tax and insure in Ireland but still in demand in Germany.

    The economic cost of running a car in Ireland is a cost to the economy and people need to earn more than in other countries just to be able to get around.

    I've made my points. They stand on their own merits and I drop out of this conversation.


  • #54
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 20,457 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


    newacc2015 wrote: »
    The smart people living in a €5m home don't care what their neighbours have to think and will happily buy a value second hand car that a poor office worker can't be seen dead in...

    Actually, those smart people buy a new car and keep it for years and years - service it as required, and look after it. Keep a car for 15 to 20 years from new, and its original price (if you can afford it) does not matter as the depreciation over that time frame is small money (per year), and because it is properly serviced, maintenance is low as well.

    Buy well and keep it.


  • #55
    Allinall
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,418 ✭✭✭Allinall


    737max wrote: »
    ....

    ...and you can't even opt out of the madness of buying a car in Ireland as apart from your own two feet there are few alternate transport options available to you.

    .

    You could move to Germany .

    Comparing motoring costs in two completely different economies is beyond ridiculous.


  • #56
    Allinall
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,418 ✭✭✭Allinall


    LIGHTNING wrote: »
    ^

    Except once a car in Ireland hits 10 years old its practically uninsurable.

    I've an 11 year old car and my insurance is the same as I paid last year, and the year before.


  • #57
    737max
    Closed Accounts Posts: 964 ✭✭✭737max


    Allinall wrote: »
    You could move to Germany .

    Comparing motoring costs in two completely different economies is beyond ridiculous.
    I'm comparing identical cars(although steering wheel is on other side).
    Do you think I'm currently located in Ireland?

    I'm out. The quality of retort is very poor around here.

    When you are told to **** off out of the country then it is obvious that the quality of debate is poor.


  • #58
    TheChizler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,539 ✭✭✭TheChizler


    CiniO wrote: »
    Irish system has probably reg numbers with the most characters on the plate all over EU.
    More characters is more difficult to remember, and even more importantly more difficult to read from running away vehicle.

    Being segmented makes it easier IMO. You remember the county independently from the year and then the final number is a few random digits. Much easier than a 7 or 8 character alphanumeric string.


  • #59
    Allinall
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,418 ✭✭✭Allinall


    737max wrote: »
    I'm comparing identical cars(although steering wheel is on other side).
    Do you think I'm currently located in Ireland?

    I'm out. The quality of retort is very poor around here.

    When you are told to **** off out of the country then it is obvious that the quality of debate is poor.

    You're comparing identical cars, but different economies. That's the point.

    Go to Iceland and you'll pay €12 for a pint of beer.

    Go to rural Portugal and you'll pay €1.

    You're comparing apples with oranges.


  • #60
    Dial Hard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,969 ✭✭✭✭Dial Hard


    Allinall wrote:
    I've an 11 year old car and my insurance is the same as I paid last year, and the year before.

    Same. My car turned 10 two weeks before my insurance renewal and the premium was the exact same as last year.


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  • #61
    Donal55
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,021 ✭✭✭Donal55


    Allinall wrote: »
    You could move to Germany .

    Comparing motoring costs in two completely different economies is beyond ridiculous.

    And yet others feel it's perfectly acceptable to compare wages in two completely different economies.


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