MOT Test

psybear

Son's car going through MOT soon. He has 'metro' style number plates that a lot of dealers actually supply now but I'm not so sure that they will pass muster on the day - they really aren't that stylised but they aren't standard font either. Anybody know if they check plates during the MOT?

I also told him not to bother getting under the car steam cleaned as it's oil-free - is this also sound advice?

Thanks

dmxdave

Not sure about the plates as the test is for road worthiness and safety BUT I would get it washed underneath as it's not only oily bits but brake pipes, shock absorbers etc. as they can refuse to test it if they can't see these bits clearly

EDIT under testable items 1st one is VIN/No Plates!

http://www.dvtani.gov.uk/uploads/VehicleTesting/VT3%20Guidance%20Notes.pdf

Pretani

second the advice about cleaning underneath. Don't know about the plates.

105k

Had a van fail once because an 'I' in the number plate was lower case. I filled the gap in with some black paint and it passed on the retest...even though the paint was still wet and the guy ran his finger over it.

Had to lend him a tissue to clean the mess. He did see the funny side though!

Apparently, washing under the wheel arches and around the suspension is enough...but I wouldn't risk it.

ballyblack

New harsh regulations on number plates in NI from 1st November

"While it is already an offence across the UK for motorists to display non-compliant number plates on their vehicles, as of 1st November 2008 it will become an offence to supply number plates that do not comply with the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001. Some number plate suppliers already advise their customers that non-compliant number plates cannot be used on the road and are for display purposes only, however, it will now be an offence to supply non-compliant number plates irrespective of any advice given"

The upshot is that all number plate suppliers will not sell 'fancy' plates from next month

Jaime-V

My BIL was pulled about his number plates at his last mot the other month, he had a football badge (as many do now!) and the type was different too (think a shadow type) he got passed but was told next time it wouldn't pass.

CAPSLOCKON

Change the plate, a friend got stopped by the police recently and got an on the spot £30 fine for non compliant plates, all they were was in italics, so hardly worth yhe hassle

chunter

how much does it cost for a set of standard plates and how much does it cost for a retest?
I have a standard set just in case.

yorkie98

chunter wrote: »

how much does it cost for a set of standard plates and how much does it cost for a retest?
I have a standard set just in case.

Depending where you go, expect to pay around £14-20 for a pair. Some small motorspares places may do them cheaper. Shop around.
When I MOTd my car last time a retest was 17.50 I think. You'd be gutted if it failed just for that but it's possible.
A new set is certainly cheaper than a fine or even fines cos if your plates are illegal, you could get pulled countless times until they are changed.
My MIL was fined for this, and these were the plates supplied on the 2 yr old car when bought from Wilsons auctions.

nabbeybloke

ballyblack wrote: »

New harsh regulations on number plates in NI from 1st November

"While it is already an offence across the UK for motorists to display non-compliant number plates on their vehicles, as of 1st November 2008 it will become an offence to supply number plates that do not comply with the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001. Some number plate suppliers already advise their customers that non-compliant number plates cannot be used on the road and are for display purposes only, however, it will now be an offence to supply non-compliant number plates irrespective of any advice given"

The upshot is that all number plate suppliers will not sell 'fancy' plates from next month

Wow! That is really harsh!

To the OP, I've always bought my 'Metro' plates from Mike Wylie, plain with no other wording, logos or lines. I've never had any problems with them and I think those plates look nice while still looking pretty close to legal.

I put my previous two cars through MOT and over the years never had any problems with Metro plates, but I always knew the risk was there that one of the testers could fail it. Even when I've been a weeeeee bit naughty with my speed a couple of times, the police never mentioned my plates.

Maybe with this new law they'll get tough again for a while. It's probably better being safe than sorry and swapping them for the legal ones for the test.

Step_7

I think it is down to the increased use of SPECS cameras and ANPR systems that is leading to the crackdown on "illegal" plates. If the cameras can't read the plates then it might take longer for them to get the money from the speeding fines...... god forbid that they have to go through the pictures manually to identify plates.