FLEETS which delay acquiring new vehicles until the next plate change could benefit from a windfall worth hundreds of pounds at disposal time, industry experts claim.

With 04-plated cars arriving on UK roads, Glass's Guide says research on last year's plates is showing that the late 53 plate can fetch up to £500 more than the older 03 registration. For example, the difference between a lower medium-size car such as a Ford Focus is £450, assuming both cars have the same mileage and condition, while superminis could see a £350 difference and upper medium cars £500.

Adrian Rushmore, managing editor at Glass's Information Services, said: 'These price differences are at least £150 less, when comparing the same age of plates 12 months ago. This suggests the buying public is gradually attaching less importance to the September plate, probably because 53 is a less recognisable year identifier than 03.'