2011 Evoque spotted

[BFleming]

I was in Spain last week, and spotted a 2011 Evoque, 5 door model on an 11 plate. I thought they launched in late 2011, and places like Honest John & even Autotrader confirm that. A look on the DVLA site says this one was indeed a 2011 build, but registered in 2014. DVLA also says the CO2 figure is zero - so all the hallmarks of a pre-production car. It's RHD, and carries a Farnell dealer sticker (Yorkshire).
Anyone know if JLR release their pre-production cars for sale? Struck me as v odd.

[NotBenny]

BFleming said:

Anyone know if JLR release their pre-production cars for sale?

pre-production cars almost always have to be crushed as they receive R&D tax breaks. And the R&D tax break is worth much more than selling the pre-production car at the end of it's R&D work.

[Wildcat45]

It's on Birmingham plates. R & D Land Rovers usually come on V plates. JLR cars often start with O.

Is this perhaps a £250 private plate?

[camel_landy]

NotBenny said:

pre-production cars almost always have to be crushed as they receive R&D tax breaks. And the R&D tax break is worth much more than selling the pre-production car at the end of it's R&D work.

^^^ This...

My guess would be a private plate.

M

[BFleming]

Mystery possibly solved...
The car is marked down as an import it seems; first registered 31.12.2011, but UK registered in 2014 with 165 miles on it (bizarrely). The mileage crept up to 1218 miles by 2016, but since then is up to the lofty heights of 8718.
No private plate either, this is the plate the DVLA gave it when it was registered. Why it wasn't a 61 plate is a mystery though (and probably a DVLA error, as they do).