Mot garage said my reg plate is illegal

B

ben g

Elite
 Essex
To cut a long story short, my wife's car had its mot yesterday and the garage done a service and mot. I believe the garage sends the car somewhere else to get the MOT done, as they phoned my wife and said the car passed its mot but the tester mentioned the reg plates were illegal (but apparently they let it slide). Sounds a bit odd to me...

Anyway, they said apparently raised digits on plates aren't allowed. That's the only info we got.

I bought these from a plate maker on ebay and they were advertised as 100% UK road legal. Can anyone figure out how these could be illegal? They have all the correct bs marks etc, spacing looks legitimate.

Is the MOT tester a complete idiot, or do I need to go and purchase some more reg plates?

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It's all about readability by ANPR systems. The plate size on the rear looks too small, letters must be plain and of an approved font. The plate surface and letters have to be flat not pressed or raised on later cars. I imagine the full reg's are on line.
 
Ewazix said:
It's all about readability by ANPR systems. The plate size on the rear looks too small, letters must be plain and of an approved font. The plate surface and letters have to be flat not pressed or raised on later cars. I imagine the full reg's are on line.
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Plate size in the rear is fine. It's determined by the distance between digit and edge of the plate. 5 digits allows for the smaller plate size.

I've checked the regs and all looks fine to me. It's uk font, so no issue there.Cant see anything about raised lettering not being allowed, so I'm at a loss.
 
ben g said:
Ewazix said:
It's all about readability by ANPR systems. The plate size on the rear looks too small, letters must be plain and of an approved font. The plate surface and letters have to be flat not pressed or raised on later cars. I imagine the full reg's are on line.
Click to expand...

Plate size in the rear is fine. It's determined by the distance between digit and edge of the plate. 5 digits allows for the smaller plate size.

I've checked the regs and all looks fine to me. It's uk font, so no issue there.Cant see anything about raised lettering not being allowed, so I'm at a loss.
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Maybe you're right then, my understanding was that raised/pressed lettering wasn't specifically prohibited but that it doesn't meet the BS and Euro regulations for reflective properties i.e. raised/pressed letters interfered with the readability by sneaky anpr and speed cameras. And none of us want that, obviously :wink:
 
AFAIK there is no legislation against gel or metal plates, both of which the letters protrude like they used to on LEGAL pre-1974 black and silver plates.
I think the tester is talking bollocks, I work in a place with an MOT station and we have never failed or even advised on gel plates, the legislation is about font, size, spacing, and the border measurements.
 
Just do what I did by some cheap legal plates to pop on MOT time.

My plates have only the reg number digits on them nothing else was told this was illegal got an advisory so next MOT popped on the legal plates but the last few years not bothered and nothing was said I have been running the same plates for over 15 years never had a problem with the boys in blue even when I was stopped for speeding they said nothing about the plates.
 
Ahh its completely fine dont overthink it. If it makes you feel any better i saw an 330i coupe with LED backlight numberplates. Completely legal its called night time runners plates. Considered getting them myself to be honest
 
ben g said:
Ewazix said:
It's all about readability by ANPR systems. The plate size on the rear looks too small, letters must be plain and of an approved font. The plate surface and letters have to be flat not pressed or raised on later cars. I imagine the full reg's are on line.
Click to expand...

Plate size in the rear is fine. It's determined by the distance between digit and edge of the plate. 5 digits allows for the smaller plate size.

I've checked the regs and all looks fine to me. It's uk font, so no issue there.Cant see anything about raised lettering not being allowed, so I'm at a loss.
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Its difficult to tell from the pic but other than the raised letters the only thing that stands out is the side borders which should be minimum 11mm which Im sure you have checked.
 
All you need to know about reg plates here :thumbsup:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/823552/vehicle-registration-numbers-and_number-plates-inf104.pdf
 
Mine are aluminium pressed plates in the style of the German plates (but UK font), and has gone through about 5 MOTs without a mention.

nti8CXC.jpg

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mmm-five said:
Mine are aluminium pressed plates in the style of the German plates (but UK font), and has gone through about 5 MOTs without a mention.

nti8CXC.jpg

YU3kjg4.jpg
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That picture of your car reminds me of a silver back gorilla
 
The illegality is around them not being printed on "Retro-reflective" material. Bizarrely this doesn't actually form part of the MOT test but could get you pulled over by police :thumbsup:

Here are the legal requirements: https://www.bnma.org/research-and-testing/the-9-tests-of-number-plates-bs-au-145d/

Here are the MOT requirements: https://www.bnma.org/advice-centre/key-pieces-of-legislation/mot-number-plate-rules/


Hilly30si said:
If it was illegal they would not have passed it, end of :thumbsup: carry on as you were.
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Not quite true, as per the above links
 
ProfCJJ said:
As an aside - does anyone have a recommended supplier for pressed plates please?

Thanks
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I've used this company for years, https://www.platesforcars.co.uk and they provide a quick turn around and delivery service, plus their gel plates are first class. They also do metal plates although I've not bought any myself, I have seen some a friend had ordered and they looks great.
 
Swiftly said:
ProfCJJ said:
As an aside - does anyone have a recommended supplier for pressed plates please?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I've used this company for years, https://www.platesforcars.co.uk and they provide a quick turn around and delivery service, plus their gel plates are first class. They also do metal plates although I've not bought any myself, I have seen some a friend had ordered and they looks great.
Click to expand...

Thanks 👍
 
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