Registering an unregistered car

[Turbofree]

If a car is manufactured in 1997 but NEVER registered for road use can it be put on a 04 plate?

[POORCARDEALER]

YES IT CAN, BUT THEY MAY PUT ON THE v5 MANUFACTURED 1997, DEPENDS WHO U GET AND WHAT SIDE OF THE BED THEY GOT OUT OF AT VLO.

[domster]

POORCARDEALER's identity finally revealed through his use of upper case...

Joel at RSJ, come out, we know who you are!!!

[POORCARDEALER]

SLIP of the finger!!!!

[RSJ]

DOM - U SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO USES UPPER CASE

[domster]

Aaaaarrggghhhh!!! There's more than one of them

[Jay-Aim]

POORCARDEALER IS ALRIGHT

LEAVE HIM ALONE

[domster]

Please step away from the cap locks key with your hands up.

[GR4]

Back to the original question, I'd check with DVLA because I think there is an age cutoff on this.
I bought my wife's car last summer. Long story but due to dealer and OEM cock ups this 1998 vehicle sat unregistered in a dealer compound until last year. When it was registered, it was put on a age related 'S' plate which I was told had to be the case.
If you discover anything different please let me know, and I'll reopen my case !

[pdV6]

AFAIK there are a set of criteria that all have to be satisfied before you can register a vehicle as "New at first registration". Pretty sure one of them is a time limit...