The 76 Plate Is Coming: What Could It Mean for Your Forecourt?
Molly Pollard
Tue Sep 01, 2026 • 4 min read
Whether you're stocking new or used-cars, find out how the 76 plate change will affect your forecourt.
September's registration plate change is nearly here, with the new 76 plate set to arrive on UK roads.
For dealerships selling new cars, it'san important point in the sales calendar. But its impact can also extend across the used-car market, affecting everything from part-exchange stock and pricing to the way customers view older vehicles on the forecourt.
Whether your dealership sells new cars, used cars or a mixture of both, the September plate change could create opportunities, as well as a few reasons to take a fresh look at your current stock.
More part-exchanges could mean more choice
Interest in new cars is already building ahead of September.
Auto Trader reported that visits to its car platform increased 9% month-on-month in August, while the number of new cars being advertised was up 18% compared with the same period last year.
As customers move into new vehicles, their existing cars can enter the used market through part-exchanges and other channels.For dealers, that could mean more opportunities to source fresh stock. But increased choice makes buying selectively just as important.
Purchase price is only part of the equation. Preparation requirements, mileage, age, likely retailmargin and potential aftersales costs can all influence whether a vehicle deserves a place on your forecourt.Warranty provision can be considered at this stage too.
Take another look at your current stock
The arrival of the 76 plate could also change some of the comparisons customers make.
Manufacturers and new-car retailers are competing for September buyers, with Auto Trader reporting average new-car discounts across all fuel types of 10.5% in August.
That doesn't mean used prices suddenly need to fall. However, it does make this a useful time to look at your forecourt through the eyes of a customer.
If you're holding nearly-new stock, is the saving against a new equivalent still compelling? For older vehicles, is the value they offer immediately obvious?
Price is important, but it doesn't have to do all the work.
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Don't assume customers only want the newest plate
September inevitably puts more attention on new vehicles, but that doesn't mean demand for older cars disappears.
More than two million used cars changed hands during the second quarter of 2026, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), with transactions increasing 0.7% year-on-year.
Petrol and diesel vehicles also continue to account for almost nine in every ten used-car transactions.
For dealers, the opportunity is to understand what different customers value.
A strong used-car proposition can appeal to those customers without needing to compete on vehicle age alone.Warranty Assist can form part of that proposition, with 3, 6, 12 and 24-month plans available alongside different levels of cover and upgrade options for eligible vehicles.
Give customers reasons to look beyond the number plate
A new registrationisn't the only reason a customer may be attracted to a new car. For some buyers, the reassurance associated with buying new can be just as important.
Used-car dealers can address that concern by making preparation and aftersales support a visible part of the sales conversation.
Show customers how the vehicle has been prepared. Talk them through its history and condition. And where a Warranty Assist warranty is included, explain the cover available and what the customer should do if they experience an eligible mechanical or electrical fault.
As with any warranty product, customers should be made aware of the relevant terms, conditions and exclusions.
The aim is to demonstrate the complete proposition rather than relying on price alone.
A customer may initially be attracted by the latest plate, but a wellpresented used vehicle offering the right combination of specification, price and aftersales support could prove to be the better option for their needs.
Make September work for your dealership
The arrival of the 76 plate creates activity across the automotive market, and dealerships don't have to focus exclusively on new cars to benefit from it.
For some, September will be about capitalising on demand for the latest registrations. For others, it could bring opportunities to acquire desirable part-exchanges, attract customers considering used alternatives or refresh ageing stock.
Now is a good time to review what's on your forecourt, keep an eye on the new and used vehicles you're competing against and make sure your sales team can clearly communicate why each car representsgood value.
A registration plate tells a customer something about a car's age.
The vehicle you source, the preparation you put into it, the service you provide and the Warranty Assist protection available can give them plenty more to think about.
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