Suffix registrations came into effect in 1963. They follow a specific format of three letters at the start, followed by one, two or three digits and are completed by a suffix letter at the end, which acts as an age identifier. It is the final year identifying letter that earns this style of registration its name. An example of a typical suffix number plate is RMS 27D and this particular plate identifies the year of manufacture as 1966. Originally, the first three letters of a suffix plate identified the area where the vehicle was registered. The numbers on suffix registrations only act to differentiate between vehicles with the same prefix and suffix letters.

The suffix registration system commenced with A in 1963 and changed annually, all the way through to Y, which indicated 1982. The suffix letters I, O and U were not used as age identifiers, while a Q registration indicates that the year or origins of a vehicle are uncertain.

It is possible to transfer a suffix registration onto your vehicle, but as with all age identifiable registration plates, you can only assign a suffix registration mark to a vehicle manufactured in the same year or before. It is not possible to use a suffix registration to make your vehicle appear more recent than it actually is. You can, of course, use a private number plate to make your vehicle appear older than it is. With regards to the example registration mark, RMS 27D, this could only be assigned to a vehicle manufactured from 1966 onwards.

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Here in the UK we are made to feel bad for driving, which is why many people are put off from enjoying the whole driving experience and why we have such a poor choice of cars to buy. If you visit other countries around the world like Germany, Italy and the USA you will soon see how much choice is available, from fast and exciting sports cars to the top of the range  cars which offer lots of comfort and style, most of which are just not available from your dealership here in the UK.

The main reason for this is because the majority of cars that are made abroad are originally designed and built for left hand drive and to be sold to the UK the designs have to be converted to right hand drive and made specifically for us, hence the high price.

If you have a taste for the exotic there are ways to get hold of cars that you normally don’t see on the forecourt, you can visit a left hand drive vehicles London dealership, which specialise solely in left hand drive cars and have an extensive range of vehicles for sale as well as large range available to order. On top of that when using a specialist dealer you can have peace of mind that all require paperwork and documents will be completed by people who have extensive knowledge and experience in this confusing area. You can also have your new car either securely or safely delivered to yourself at home or to the left hand drive vehicles London dealership.

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The body may not be beautiful, looking a bit like an unsuccessful weightwatcher in a Lycra suit, but this car has some highly attractive compensations which amply prove that first impressions can sometimes be misleading.

The Lexus GS offers an almost silent ride in plushly comfortable seats. Whilst there is no diesel version on offer, the petrol models deliver creditable performances. The 3 litre, 245 bhp V6 hits 62 in a cool 7.2 seconds, which shrinks to 6.1 seconds if you opt for the 4.3 litre, 279 bhp V8. It has to be said, though, that it is unexceptional in the handling department. That’s not to say that it’s bad; but it’s not to say that it’s good either. It feels a little on the large side to be nimble at first but once you’re used to the bulk, it turns out to be rather more responsive than you might have predicted. The standard model only manages 28.8 mpg and the larger V8 less than 25! But if you think of the car as rotund diva with a surprisingly alluring singing voice, you’ll have a fair summary of the GS.

The passenger space is generous, although larger passengers may find sitting in the back a little oppressive after a while: the rounded rear end seems to limit at least the sense of space. Rather oddly, the boot is large but curiously long – reaching heavy luggage from the back of it may be a test of one’s spinal resilience.

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If you have been thinking about purchasing a left hand drive 4×4 for either business or personal use and you are based in the Capital or home counties, it’s recommended that you do some research to find a suitable left hand drive 4×4 London dealer who specialise in left hand drive vehicles. There are many things to consider when purchasing a new 4×4 and even more when it is left hand drive, these types of 4×4 are imported from Europe normally straight from the manufacturer, so you need to know the people you are dealing with have the correct knowledge and are compliant with importing vehicle regulations.

By using a specialist left hand drive 4×4 London based dealership you will find a wide range of premium vehicles are available like Land Rover, Range Rover Sport, Discovery or Defender, or the Mercedes Benz ML350, BMW X3 Sport, or the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Volvo XC90. You also can save £1000’s compared to right hand drive vehicles and find that many have a higher spec as standard, as well finding some models that aren’t generally for sale in the UK.

Specialist left hand drive dealerships should take care of all the legal requirements you need for driving both here in the UK and also around Europe and can help you out with any requirements you may need, depending on the use. Some people choose to have a left hand drive vehicle if they spend part of the year abroad and using a UK based dealership means you don’t get confused by the language barrier and know exactly where you stand when it comes to insurance. It is also handy to have a left hand drive vehicle if you frequently travel abroad for either business or pleasure.

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Vehicle registration plates came into existence in the United Kingdom in 1904. The majority of vehicles are required by law to display a valid plate. The legislation that first required the carrying of number plates was the Motor Car Act 1903, which came into force at the start of 1904. This statute required all vehicles to be registered and as such, each vehicle was assigned a specific identifying number. This law came into being in order for vehicles to be traceable should they be involved in an accident or criminal activity.

UK registration plates are square or rectangular in shape and the law dictates the exact dimensions of the lettering contained within them. This includes the spacing between the characters as well as the width and height of the characters themselves. From 1st September 2001, it became mandatory for licence plates to be printed using one specific typeface. All plates must be in accordance with the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001. For all vehicles manufactured from 1973 onwards this means that the plates must be made from reflex-reflecting material. Front plates should be white while rear plates are yellow and both contain black characters only. Only vehicles manufactured prior to 1973 are permitted to carry black plates with silver, grey or white letters and numbers.

The standard size for front number plates is 520mm x 111mm. Most rear plates are the same size, but they can also measure 285mm x 203mm or 533mm x 152mm.

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The Mercedes C-Class has filled a significant gap in the stylish, cost effective end of the market and is as an attractive alternative to BMW’s range. Combining sleek looks and quality components, this vehicle comes with all the trimmings of its competitors, while only having a starting price of £19,125.

Holding up the rear are the 1.8litre petrol and 2.0litre diesel engined models, which offer all the pizzazz of their more expensive cousins, but obviously won’t have that extra bite, unless you go for the C200K or the C220CDI. However, the majority of prospective customers would be advised to opt for the 3litre diesel, which pushes out some 224bhp and is sporty, attractive and effective. However, the speed freaks among you would be better choosing the C63, which comes with a rather impressive 6.3litre V8 engine. You can expect to pay at least £50,000 for the privilege of calling one of these your own.

Of course, surface looks are only half the beauty of the C-Class; its majestic road handling is also what will turn heads. What appears to be a regular standard looking saloon shows a completely different side on the open road. Granted, it is not going to live up to the BMW 7 series when it comes to feel and driving comfort, but there are very few cars, if any, in this sector that will make driving such a pleasurable experience.

Passengers, if you haven’t already forgotten about them, will also enjoy the ride, as there is plenty of legroom and comfortable seats in the back. The estate model will easily be able to handle large families with lots of baggage; a 1,500litre boot will swallow almost anything you might try to throw at it. The top-end models, such as the C63, are not going to provide all the comfort of the more family-based editions and could have you calling for a chiropractor after a few hours driving.

The cost-conscious should note that trips to the petrol pump would come around far more frequently than you might like with the bigger engines. If you are a sucker for the Mercedes badge and the sleek style of the C-Class, one of the smaller engines will prove to be much more fuel-efficient. However, over long journeys, one of the V6 diesels would make a chariot fit for a king. Quite simply, this is the coolest looking and roomiest saloon on the road today.

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The BMW Mini is one of the most popular cars in the United Kingdom. It comes in different engine specs: the regular Mini, the Cooper, Cooper D, and the newest one, the Cooper S.  A Mini lease may often be taken out by people with a small family who want to experience a stylish and fun type of motoring.

A standard Mini lease has a term of 36 months and comes with an agreement for contract hiring. Upon leasing, there is the usual requirement for advance payment, which is followed by monthly payments with VAT. The deal for the lease of the car is often based on 10,000 miles per annum.

The newest version of the Mini now features an engine which is British-built and has a new and enhanced suspension system. A manual transmission with six speeds is also supplied in this new model. The Mini features alloy wheels, a CD player, and an anti-lock braking system. You can also have the option to add other features, for an extra cost, such as metallic paint, automatic gearbox, leather seats, climate control, air conditioning, electric sunroof, Bluetooth, and satellite navigation.

The handling of the Mini lets you have a go-kart feel with its poise and grip, which is similar to an expensive sports vehicle. The dimension of the car makes it easy to manoeuvre. The steering system responds quickly giving you a ride that is firm and comfortable.

Mini leasing allows you the chance to experience a great lifestyle in an inexpensive way. You can get the most out of the car — from security and safety, to reliability and quality, as well as great driver satisfaction.

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