EVIDENCE of the pre-registration of vehicles was apparent from day one of the arrival of the T-plate with 'used' examples appearing within minutes of the new registration becoming legal. Lex Vehicle Leasing's used car contract hire service, giving access to a pool of around 2,000 VAT qualifying nearly new cars and vans, had two nearly new T-plate vehicles available as March 1 arrived with only delivery mileage on the clock.

A 1999 year model Renault Clio 1.4 RT was on the database as early as February 22 as nearly-new, but couldn't be delivered until Monday. A Rover 620SLi also appeared on Monday morning as a T-plate.