To Q or not to Q .. !

[Rab (bombero) Reid]

Just wondering what you guys thought about owning/running a Q plate. Wondering what the pros and cons are (if any). Thanking in advance  

[SteveD]

would not worry about it ,it makes no difference imho

[peterg]

a Q plate is easier at MOT time as it's tested on visible smoke only  

[Rab (bombero) Reid]

Thanks guys. I guess my 'prejudice' is simply based on that age old thinking when Q plates were found predominantly on Cat C damaged repaired and the first Jap imports before the DVLA knew what to do with them.

I suppose a 'year' plate would also determine that any given Westy was built using all new parts ..

[jak]

Buy on quality of car and price - as others have said it's easier with a Q plate at MOT time.

[XTR2Turbo]

A few other considerations that may or may not be relevant to you.

Some insurance companies will not cover Q plates but plenty will.

I think if a new built car it's value would be slightly less if Q than non Q. After a few years will make less difference

You can't put a personal plate on a Q registered vehicle.

I understand you can have difficulties exporting a Q plate car to some countries.

[simon_davis]

I'd support what the others have said...

I wasn't sure about getting a Q car, but it's been fine. The last MoT took all of 10 minutes LOL!

Easily insured via Adrian Flux and I've got European cover easily as well - certainly had no trouble sailing over to France and then blatting around Germany etc.

As I've just lost a shed load of cash on a private numberplate sale, I'm not bothered about sticking my own reg on the car - no more plate 'investments' for me.

Regards, Si

[jeff oakley]

I perfer a Q, it doesn't age the car the MOT is a breeze. Do not assume that a car with a year plate was made with all new parts. It could be resitered on the donor car plate, you can also have two major units reconditioned and still get a new plate as well.

It is down to buy the very best car you can for the money and don't fear a Q at all.

[Rab (bombero) Reid]

Thank you all again for the great responses .. I think that I'm moving ever closer to my first Westy purchase  

[MGF255]

Having a Q plate won`t cause any problems with a specialist kit car insurer as it`s not out of the ordinary - however you may be refused by most insurers if it was something like a ropey old transit van on a Q plate .

As long as the build quality is high the value of the car won`t be affected much at all + as already said MOT time is much less hassle as no Cat emission test is needed .

It is true tho` that once a Q always a Q as you can`t put a private plate on but imo that`s no big loss on a kit car (I`d rather have it easier at MOT time) .

[Cleggy the Spyder Man]

if I was buying second hand and had the choice between two very similar cars I would buy the one with the age related plate - so you could argue an age related plate might be slightly easier to sell all things being equal

other than that I believe it makes very little difference with a race type kit car although I would think twice about buying a "classic road spec" style 7 on a Q plate in the same way you wouldn't buy a cobra or similar on a Q plate

just my opinion don't shoot me  

[Jenko]

I actually think a Q plate is better for the simple reason of not worrying about emissions, and being able to throw what ever engine in you want a NEVER having to worry about....

Unless you want to put a private plate on your car then 'Q' would get my vote....

That said...I would also not recommend buying a car just on the basis of the plate....there are more important things to worry about.