'Q Plate' 7.........stigma or not?
Discussion
Ive seen this car on here http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/509509.htm The car is just the sort of spec im looking for but rightly or wrongly Im dubious about buying a Q plater. I have concerns over a couple of things, Insurance...they seem to shy away from Q plate cars. Image...does it promote the 'kit car' comments. Re sale.....there must be other people out there with similar concerns to me when it comes to selling time.
Do Q plate cars command the same or less money than an age related or 'standard' reg car
Do Q plate cars command the same or less money than an age related or 'standard' reg car
The short answer is "probably not" as most Seven afficianados are more comcerned about provenance and performance of the Seven they intend to buy.
Having said that, it is unusual for such a "young" Seven to be on a Q plate.
In the 1990s, most of the Crossflow "Classic" Sevens (even brand new ones) were isued with "Q" plates. This was because they were fitted, at the factory, with refurbished gear boxes and Ital rear axles. They were supplied straight from the factory in this form (mine is a perfect example) and therefore there should be no real stigma attached to such a Seven as that was normal for those versions.
However, since the demise of the solid rear axle Seven, virtually all cars contain 100% newly manufactured parts and have been issued with normal age related plates.
This particul;ar one seems to be slightly odd in that it has been built with a 2nd hand engine and this is why it had to have a Q plate.
At the end of the day, if you look at the car and are impressed with its spec and price, you need to make your mind up as to whether the Q plate matters to you and whether it ius an over riding factor in your final decision as to whether to buy or not.
Having said that, it is unusual for such a "young" Seven to be on a Q plate.
In the 1990s, most of the Crossflow "Classic" Sevens (even brand new ones) were isued with "Q" plates. This was because they were fitted, at the factory, with refurbished gear boxes and Ital rear axles. They were supplied straight from the factory in this form (mine is a perfect example) and therefore there should be no real stigma attached to such a Seven as that was normal for those versions.
However, since the demise of the solid rear axle Seven, virtually all cars contain 100% newly manufactured parts and have been issued with normal age related plates.
This particul;ar one seems to be slightly odd in that it has been built with a 2nd hand engine and this is why it had to have a Q plate.
At the end of the day, if you look at the car and are impressed with its spec and price, you need to make your mind up as to whether the Q plate matters to you and whether it ius an over riding factor in your final decision as to whether to buy or not.
I think there will always be some stigma attached to a Q plate car and the value will always therefore be slightly less than exactly the same car with an age related plate. But with Caterhams, finding two identical cars is virtually impossible! This one looks to be an excellent spec and very well priced!
Neal H said:
I think there will always be some stigma attached to a Q plate car and the value will always therefore be slightly less than exactly the same car with an age related plate. But with Caterhams, finding two identical cars is virtually impossible! This one looks to be an excellent spec and very well priced!
Not sure what you base your theory on about Q plate cars value being slightly less. Having had a few Caterhams, my latest one is the first with a normal reg, and I've never suffered on values for Q paltes, even trading at a garage. Maybe I've just been lucky.I've had three Sevens, one on a Q and two on conventional age related plates.
There's no doubt that a Q plate has a mildly negative effect on a car's residual value, but if you are buying a car that's already been registered, then this is a good thing, because it should be cheaper.
Don't forget that Q plates are not transferrable and you can't stick a personal plate onto a Q plated car.
On a more positive note, I believe that Q plated cars have less stringent emissions tests at MOT time, which makes life more straightforward. I'm sure that you can get chapter and verse on emissions and Q plate cars over on the kit car forum.
I wouldn't allow the presence, or indeed absence, of a Q plate be any sort of indication of the likely condition of the car.
Would a Q plate put me off? Well, I have to admit that it would, because I'm one of those sad individuals who has a personalised plate.
And if you look at a bunch of Sevens at any gathering, there are an awful lot of personal plates on Sevens, so sadly I am not alone in my vanity.
There's no doubt that a Q plate has a mildly negative effect on a car's residual value, but if you are buying a car that's already been registered, then this is a good thing, because it should be cheaper.
Don't forget that Q plates are not transferrable and you can't stick a personal plate onto a Q plated car.
On a more positive note, I believe that Q plated cars have less stringent emissions tests at MOT time, which makes life more straightforward. I'm sure that you can get chapter and verse on emissions and Q plate cars over on the kit car forum.
I wouldn't allow the presence, or indeed absence, of a Q plate be any sort of indication of the likely condition of the car.
Would a Q plate put me off? Well, I have to admit that it would, because I'm one of those sad individuals who has a personalised plate.
And if you look at a bunch of Sevens at any gathering, there are an awful lot of personal plates on Sevens, so sadly I am not alone in my vanity.
guys the q plate indicates that the car has been built from second hand parts or parts that have not been identified as new, therefore side by side with a modern plate you have to asume that the new parts car is in better condition than the refurb....... yes?.... and you only have to look at prices in autotrader or elsewhere to confirm thats how most people (and insurance comps ) view it. Not to say that the new plated motor is a better build than the q plate.
kwosimodo said:
guys the q plate indicates that the car has been built from second hand parts or parts that have not been identified as new, therefore side by side with a modern plate you have to asume that the new parts car is in better condition than the refurb....... yes?.... and you only have to look at prices in autotrader or elsewhere to confirm thats how most people (and insurance comps ) view it. Not to say that the new plated motor is a better build than the q plate.
That is not true at all. As I said earlier, in the 1990s Caterham built many "Q" plate cars in their own factory with parts sourced and refurbished BY THEM. Their Classic range at that time used reconditioned Ital axles and Ford gearboxes but all the parts were sourced and reconditioned by Caterham and provided to the kit builder as part of the whole package. Like with ANY car built as a kit ("Q" plated or not) knowing the history of the car is more important than the registration plate it carries. If the "Q" plater was from that period when Caterham were supplying ALL the parts, then it should be no different in build quality to any other kit provided by Caterham at that time.
Obviously, if you are intent on acquiring a personalised plate, then the "Q" plate issue is relevant. At one point the DVLC did propose that they would allow "Q" plated cars to be transferred to personal plates but nothing more has been heard on that score.
Eric Mc said:
kwosimodo said:
guys the q plate indicates that the car has been built from second hand parts or parts that have not been identified as new, therefore side by side with a modern plate you have to asume that the new parts car is in better condition than the refurb....... yes?
That is not true at all. As I said earlier, in the 1990s Caterham built many "Q" plate cars in their own factory with parts sourced and refurbished BY THEM.Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff