Last updated 1 November 2026.
74 plate facts at a glance
| Registration window | 1 September 2024 to 28 February 2025 |
|---|---|
| Age today | Between 1 year 8 months and 2 years 2 months old (as of 1 November 2026) |
| First MOT due | Due by the third anniversary of registration, so between September 2027 and February 2028. No car on this plate needs its first MOT yet. |
| MOT tests so far | None expected yet. The first MOT isn't due until the car is 3 years old. |
| Road tax (VED) system | The system for cars registered on or after 1 April 2017: the first tax payment depends on CO2 emissions, then a flat annual rate applies. |
| ULEZ rule of thumb: petrol | Most petrol cars registered in this window meet the Euro 4 standard that ULEZ asks for. |
| ULEZ rule of thumb: diesel | Most diesel cars registered in this window meet the Euro 6 standard that ULEZ asks for. |
| Typical mileage now | About 12,000 to 15,500 miles at the average of 7,100 miles a year. Many cars do more or less, so treat it as a guide. |
Sources: GOV.UK, displaying number plates; GOV.UK, getting an MOT; GOV.UK, vehicle tax rate tables; TfL, ULEZ standards. The average mileage of 7,100 miles a year is from the Department for Transport's National Travel Survey, table NTS0901 (England, 2024 and 2025). See also our average mileage page.
How to read the 74
Since September 2001 UK plates have two letters for the area, two numbers for the age, then three random letters. The two numbers change on 1 March and 1 September. September plates add 50 to the year, so 74 means 2024. A private or cherished plate can make a car look older than it is, so the plate only tells you the earliest the car could have been registered. See every plate from 51 to 76.
Checking a 74 plate car before you buy
- A car this new may have no MOT history to read yet, because the first MOT isn't due until the third anniversary of registration. Ask for the service book and the V5C instead.
- Outstanding finance is more likely on a recent car, because many are bought on PCP or hire purchase. A finance check before you pay is worth doing.
- Compare the mileage with what the seller says, and check whether any warranty passes to a new owner.
None of this replaces checking the actual car. A car that was written off by an insurer, or still has finance owed on it, can look perfect, so run a write-off check and a finance check before you pay. A car history check also shows the real first registration date, plate changes and the MOT and mileage history.
ULEZ: check the exact car
The ULEZ rule of thumb above is a guide, not a promise. Whether a car meets the standard depends on its engine and emissions, not just its plate. Use TfL's vehicle checker on the exact registration before you drive into the zone.