Post Office UK: New registration plates fail to impress UK drivers

As new car registration plates hit the forecourts this weekend, thousands of drivers across the UK are expected to flock to car garages to upgrade their wheels.

However, research from Post Office Car Insurance reveals that 1 in 4 people in the UK still find the current car number plate system confusing, 7 years after it was introduced, 1 while many see little point in paying a premium for 08 plates.

New number plates used to be considered as much of a status symbol as the house you lived in, but Post Office Car Insurance’s research reveals attitudes have changed, with 51 per cent of people claiming to have no interest in them.

When it comes to taking out car insurance, the research showed UK drivers to be particularly savvy, with more than half (59 per cent) saying they would shop around first before taking out car insurance with their car dealer.

The Post Office is currently offering customers a £50 cash back bonus when they take out a new car insurance policy.

Post Office Car Insurance includes:
• Free courtesy car
• 24 hour claims helpline
• 3-year guarantee on repairs
• Free windscreen repair service
• New replacement car if theirs is stolen or damaged beyond repair and under 12 months old
• In the event of a write off, market value will be given for the car
• Cover for driving in the EU for up to 60 days
• RAC breakdown cover (extra cover option)
• Motor Legal Protection (extra cover option)

As new car registration plates hit the forecourts this weekend, thousands of drivers across the UK are expected to flock to car garages to upgrade their wheels.

However, research from Post Office® Car Insurance reveals that 1 in 4 people in the UK still find the current car number plate system confusing, 7 years after it was introduced, 1 while many see little point in paying a premium for 08 plates.

New number plates used to be considered as much of a status symbol as the house you lived in, but Post Office® Car Insurance’s research reveals attitudes have changed, with 51 per cent of people claiming to have no interest in them.

Only 17 per cent of people surveyed thought cars with new registration plates have higher status than equivalent second hand cars and a mere 11 per cent considered them to be ‘cool’. In comparison, almost half (46 per cent) are of the opinion that brand new cars are poor value when measured against a second hand car with low mileage.

Only 3 per cent said that when buying a new car it must be brand new and have new registration plates. In comparison almost a quarter (24 per cent) said they considered CO2 emissions to be one of the most important factors when buying a car, suggesting today’s drivers are more interested in green issues than image.

When it comes to taking out car insurance, the research showed UK drivers to be particularly savvy, with more than half (59 per cent) saying they would shop around first before taking out car insurance with their car dealer.

Phil Ashkuri continued: “It is encouraging to see that so many drivers would shop around for car insurance rather than buying it straight from their dealer. All too often we hear of people taking out insurance without doing any research beforehand to try and find the best deal. Not only can this be more expensive but it can also leave drivers unprotected if they do not have the right level of cover.”

The Post Office® is currently offering customers a £50 cash back bonus when they take out a new car insurance policy.

Notes to Editors

1. Research carried out online by YouGov between 22nd-25th February 2008 on a survey of 2,005 UK adults. Data weighted to nationally representative criteria.
Results of the survey can be find: http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rmg/content1?catId=70700719&mediaId=71100714

Post Office® Car Insurance includes:
• Free courtesy car
• 24 hour claims helpline
• 3-year guarantee on repairs
• Free windscreen repair service
• New replacement car if theirs is stolen or damaged beyond repair and under 12 months old
• In the event of a write off, market value will be given for the car
• Cover for driving in the EU for up to 60 days
• RAC breakdown cover (extra cover option)
• Motor Legal Protection (extra cover option)