RESIDUAL values on three-year old models with Y-registration plates are being hit as buyers are increasingly favouring cars using the new registration system.

Research from Glass’s Guide has shown Y-reg plates are depreciating a lot faster than those with a 2001 51-registration. The high number of Y-plates currently being disposed of by fleets following a three-year/60,000 mile run is also not helping the situation.

Chris Smith, car editor at Glass’s, said: ‘Although many consumers remain unsure of just how the new plate system works, they are clearly able to differentiate it from the previous system and this is influencing perceptions of what constitutes an ‘old’ car. There are now demonstrably higher levels of demand for cars with the new-style plate.’

Research from Glass’s has also shown an increase in the number of commercial vehicle operators choosing smaller vehicles in a bid to avoid using tachographs. George Alexander, chief editor commercial vehicles at Glass’s, said: ‘Operators want to avoid tachographs and operator licences on heavier vehicles.

‘Work will move away from light trucks to heavy vans such as Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Renault Mascott and Iveco Daily.’