Ageing Advice - car registration

[jdl_1967]

Can anyone help me fathom why an R53 I'm looking at was manufactured in 2003, 1st registered on 14 Oct 2004, but still has a 53 plate.

I'm positive that no matter how old a car, its plate must relate to its registered date or before if cherished plate, but this is not a cherished plate merely its original number.

Thanks in advance

John


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[Gismo]

Your dates do not match, we haven't reached 2014 yet :Whistle:

[jdl_1967]

Ah yes, 2004 :-) whoops, managed to amend original post

[Craig]

That's weird. I take it the V5 has oct 2004 on it?

[jdl_1967]

no Craig, it's on the HPI check

[jdl_1967]

I'm ringing back at 1, so I'll get them to check the V5

[GreigJCW]

Are you 100% it isn't a cherished plate. Seen ones that look standard.

[Gismo]

There is a good reason to have a 53 plate on an R53 car, just like GP owners have GP in their plates, has to be a personal plate for the car

[jdl_1967]

Are you 100% it isn't a cherished plate. Seen ones that look standard.

The HPI check doesn't point at that, but could be I guess

[weefossy]

Could car have been imported from a "right hand drive" country prior to being registered or could it have started on a personal plate and then been given a revised 2003 plate when it was sold in Oct 2004? Could it have sat in a showroom for 12 months?

[stoney]

Or pre registered possibly ?? As I brought a ore registered van but it was still brand new

[john]

What's the car reg?

- - - Updated - - -

Forgot to say, is it silver with a silver roof?

[Mon the fish]

Check build date under bonnet with reg. date on V5, then ask questions

[jdl_1967]

Going to look (hopefully buy) on Friday in Bradford so I'll check. HPI states it was built in 2003, but first registered in on 14 Oct 2004. Reg should go by registered date not build I'm sure

4497

4498

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[Mon the fish]

Pre-facelift, so built before July 04. Should be the 200bhp JCW, unless the airbox and injectors have been added to make it the 210

[jdl_1967]

Sadly only the 200bhp model, I can't afford the £700 parts alone to convert to the 210bhp airbox and injectors. But never say never and maybe one day.

[Mon the fish]

Airboxes are about £150, and you don't need the injectors until you start tuning

[jdl_1967]

Brilliant, right back on my shopping list then.



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[Mon the fish]

Personally, I would get a facelift if I could, but if it's the right car in the right condition then go for it :thumbup:

[Craig]

I've told him that Gordon over a few years and he's ignored me before.... Remember your last DS pre face lift John ? Lol

[john]

If a works facelift is out of budget I would rather have a standard facelift than a works pe facelift.

[jdl_1967]

Thanks John, are pre-facelifts really that bad? I've had a 2003 Works before and whilst I had a clutch and flywheel go, nothing else failed in over a year. I do appreciate they're slightly better built, but is it a huge jump? My wife has a facelift R50 with low miles and FSH that has had loads of issues.

Craig always advises me to facelift too.

[Mon the fish]

Lots of little improvements - crank damper, lower engine mount, better bypass valve etc. These will all eventually need replaced on a pre-facelift.

Plus, the gen 5 Eaton, probably an LSD, and the biggest difference - the gear ratios

[john]

Thanks John, are pre-facelifts really that bad? I've had a 2003 Works before and whilst I had a clutch and flywheel go, nothing else failed in over a year. I do appreciate they're slightly better built, but is it a huge jump? My wife has a facelift R50 with low miles and FSH that has had loads of issues.

Craig always advises me to facelift too.

it all depends on what your after and how you drive, I ordered a new cooper's' when they first came out, I was all excited and my car finally arrived one Friday morning but they were to busy to have it ready for the weekend, I was given John Clarks own car for the weekend, I was so disappointed with it that I cancelled my 'S' and ordred another Cooper.
When the Facelift version came along it was a very different car, i hae had two and I would have another.