I've just bought a numberplate for the other car - a "dateless" one to disguise its "L" registration reality. It was surprisingly easy but very slow. I did it through a dealer. Having asked him to find me the cheapest number around with just a "1" in it, he phoned around and came up with one - interestingly the price he quoted was almost 2,000 cheaper than one of the websites it was advertised on!

I just had to fill a form in and send it off together with the (substantial) cheque and the log book and MOT certificate. After seven (!!!) weeks I then got a new log book and MOT certificate together with a new tax disc for the remaining period. All I had to do was go out and buy new plates, though the company would have organised that too.

I'd probably have got new plates for the Mazda too - I looked into MAZ **** ones but they were rather dear - but I rather like the idea of having a car which is "obviously" 10 years old looking in immaculate condition.

Current prices for SAZ**** numbers (I was going to list them all but there's scores available): SAZ 2404 - 220 (01365 387124) www.speedyregistrations.co.uk www.carmarks.net - there lots here ranging from SAZ 1 at 29990 to SAZ 5149 at 150 including the nearest to yours: SAZ 9164 360 - interestingly the only one listed in the 9000's p.

Anyone want "5 MAX" - ring 01883 342305 - no price given in the advert in yesterday's The Times. Looking on various websites there are also 1 MX at 11000, 5 MX at 4995 (the second best available?), and 55 MX at 3595 or for something cheaper 1845 MX at 925 (this would have tempted me) or there's M200 OMX at POA. (2/00)