what's so special about a UK J Plate car

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peterjford

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I was watching Wheeler Dealers last night and they bought a LS400. He seemed to be very happy it was a "J Plate" car. I looked it up and found that J Plate cars are ones that are registered in Jersey. What is so special about it? Does that mean it pays less for registration/taxes/insurance? Do people in Jersey take better care of their cars? Do J Plate cars get less attention from the Police or more attention from the girls?

Thanks from someone with a regular California plate,
 
I was watching Wheeler Dealers last night and they bought a LS400. He seemed to be very happy it was a "J Plate" car. I looked it up and found that J Plate cars are ones that are registered in Jersey. What is so special about it? Does that mean it pays less for registration/taxes/insurance? Do people in Jersey take better care of their cars? Do J Plate cars get less attention from the Police or more attention from the girls?

Thanks from someone with a regular California plate,

J is just the year prefix for August 1st 1991 to July 31st 1992. They take the form "J", one to three numbers, three letters (JnnnXXX).

A Jersey plate is a Jersey plate. They take the form "J" then one to six numbers (Jnnnnnn).


Now, if it's a Jersey plate that might be of relevance as the car won't have been driven very far or very fast - Jersey is tiny and has a maximum speed limit of 40mph. On the other hand, 1992 is when a series of updates to the first generation Lexus LS400 occurred, which seems more significant.

But above all what you must remember is that if Mike Brewer says it, it's probably not true. Mike Brewer is a 🤬
 


But above all what you must remember is that if Mike Brewer says it, it's probably not true. Mike Brewer is a 🤬

Thanks Famine.

I actually like the show for Edd China, and of course for seeing what the used car market is like "over there".
 
Professionally-speaking. I know all used car dealers are 🤬 s, but the crap he pulls on Wheeler Dealers is unbelievable - telling a customer that the E30 has a "full stainless system" when he's bought a back-box from a scrappy for example, or that the Lancia Delta GT 8v with an aftermarket RHD conversion is an Integrale HF Turbo with a rare factory RHD option (so rare that it doesn't exist).

And this gets broadcast!
 
or that the Lancia Delta GT 8v with an aftermarket RHD conversion is an Integrale HF Turbo with a rare factory RHD option (so rare that it doesn't exist).

A factory one wasn't but as far as I'm aware, the importer did a number of official RHD conversions, so it was possible to buy a properly converted RHD Integrale from a dealership.

As for the J plate thing, I can't see any particular reason it'd be special, though unless I'm mistaken it was the first year the LS400 was sold in the UK so if he wanted an early one then a 91/J is pretty early.

I do quite like Wheeler Dealers, watching an episode as I type. I've not met Brewer but I've spoken to him across twitter a couple of times and he seems a nice enough chap, and always appreciative of comments on the show.
 
Met him once when I was in a spot of bother.. seemed like a really nice bloke. He also visited my friends pub once and apparently was a realy good sport.

After watching Wheeler Dealers and Auto Trader (not popular), he seems to be a really nerdy car club guy but doesnt talk about engines instead he'd rather talk about chassis number:)

PLEASE TELL ME THAT IS THE CORRECT SPELLING OF CHASSIS
 

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