Pressed metal numberplate legal?

TheBlueDragon · 31-12-2010, 00:26

Hi people,
I've always liked the look of pressed metal numberplates like they use in Germany etc but I was always told they are illegal over here. But I've just found these on ebay that say 100% UK Legal

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pressed-Metal-...item1c1817ef76

Do these look legal or is it wrong advertising?

I've googled and loads of sites say different things so does anyone know the truth

Twiglet · 31-12-2010, 00:42

Here's The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001.

The background doesn't look particularly reflective to me, but I'd suggest that it's difficult to tell exactly what you're buying from a photograph, and I wouldn't rely on a '100% legal' statement unless you're buying from a reputable online dealer.

brus · 31-12-2010, 01:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twiglet

Here's The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001.

The background doesn't look particularly reflective to me, but I'd suggest that it's difficult to tell exactly what you're buying from a photograph, and I wouldn't rely on a '100% legal' statement unless you're buying from a reputable online dealer.

Seller has 100% feedback, 60 positive feedback in the last month, selller states the following,
(Quote)MOT COMPLIENT All Our Plates Come With The Required BSAU145d Number & Manufactures Details And Will Come With The Correct Spacing (ie: BS09 FGH). (End of quote)
MOT complient = legal number plates.

Allen · 31-12-2010, 02:28

Showing my age now, but in my early years of car ownership the number plates were all pressed metal.
i.e. the numbers were embossed.
I can't imagine that a classic car owner would be required to change from the original.

My guess is that they are perfectly legal.

Anyone know different?

DT Ralge · 31-12-2010, 05:46

Older British plates (pressed?) with white, grey or silver characters on a black background. This style of plate was phased out in 1972, and is now legal to be carried only on vehicles built prior to 1 January 1973.

brus · 31-12-2010, 07:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by DT Ralge

Older British plates (pressed?) with white, grey or silver characters on a black background. This style of plate was phased out in 1972, and is now legal to be carried only on vehicles built prior to 1 January 1973.

But this thread is relating to pressed reflective number plates, so they are legal to use on later cars.

tonkatoy · 31-12-2010, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by brus

But this thread is relating to pressed reflective number plates, so they are legal to use on later cars.

Well actually they are not.

UK plates are required to be manufactured to the correct British Standard. There is no embossed option. There is no letter style option. There is no option to allow for coloured bolts to change letters. There is a requirement for the manufacturer to include their post code on the plate.

Any deviation from these regulations will render the driver of the vehicle open to prosecution.

The only legal way for these sharks to sell plates into the UK that do not comply with the above is to call them show plates. That is plates that you fit at a car show.

The adverts will contain the following usually in minute print..."These plates are for show use only and are not road legal"

alchresearch · 31-12-2010, 10:41

I can't see the point. You can't see your numberplate when you're driving, only if you sit in your house and stare at it while its sat on the drive!

azazel666 · 31-12-2010, 10:45

Seems very odd....I was under the impression that anyone selling number plates to legal specs had to get the purchaser to prove they were the owner of the car? Is this not the case?

alchresearch · 31-12-2010, 10:50

Not on Ebay, it seems anyone can just get them.

Although saying that the last time I bought a plate at a shop I wasn't asked for any ID, same when I had a cracked one replaced on the MOT.

tonkatoy · 31-12-2010, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by azazel666

Seems very odd....I was under the impression that anyone selling number plates to legal specs had to get the purchaser to prove they were the owner of the car? Is this not the case?

The whole situation is a minefield, and one that is best avoided. I really don't see why anyone wants to put themselves in a postion where they give the police and excuse to pull them over. Once they have you stopped they will certainly find something else that will get you fined or points.

Just to add to the confusion I have a personalised plate that I've owned for 35 years. I cannot move the old plates from car to car as I change it. The regulations regarding manufacture of LEGAL plates require the plate to conform to regulations at time of manufacture and not those in force when the number was issued. Even moving an old plate to a new vehicle classes as a re-issued number and requires plates to be to current standards.

Twiglet · 31-12-2010, 11:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by brus

Seller has 100% feedback, 60 positive feedback in the last month, selller states the following,
(Quote)MOT COMPLIENT All Our Plates Come With The Required BSAU145d Number & Manufactures Details And Will Come With The Correct Spacing (ie: BS09 FGH). (End of quote)
MOT complient = legal number plates.

Having a quick browse on Ebay I've found at least three other sellers with 100% feedback selling number plates as 'UK Road legal' which are easily identifiable from the photographs as definitely not legal.

You also find many Ebay sellers with designer bags, jewellery, watches that state they are 100% genuine. Do you always believe them?

Bigthumb · 31-12-2010, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twiglet

Having a quick browse on Ebay I've found at least three other sellers with 100% feedback selling number plates as 'UK Road legal' which are easily identifiable from the photographs as definitely not legal.

You also find many Ebay sellers with designer bags, jewellery, watches that state they are 100% genuine. Do you always believe them?

The point about ebay is folks place feedback to say the stuff arrived. 3 months later when you get that tug from the boys in blue and its all too late.

sedith · 31-12-2010, 12:17

Can't understand what all this fuss is about, who cares about the style of the number plate, just so long as it legally conforms. I certainly can't see it impressing anyone if its pressed steel, ha, ha!!

HeadingNorth · 31-12-2010, 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by azazel666

Seems very odd....I was under the impression that anyone selling number plates to legal specs had to get the purchaser to prove they were the owner of the car? Is this not the case?

Even if you are right (and I personally haven't a clue!), that law still could not be enforced against anyone selling these plates abroad. Perhaps the advert seen by the OP is based in some other country.

davyboy · 31-12-2010, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by azazel666

Seems very odd....I was under the impression that anyone selling number plates to legal specs had to get the purchaser to prove they were the owner of the car? Is this not the case?

I recently had to get new plates for my car as it would have failed its MOT as part of the number was illegible.

I had to produce the logbook to get a new set.

warrior8 · 31-12-2010, 21:10

I'm sure one of the police officers who frequent the forum will be along soon to help but failing that, why not nip into your local station next week and take a print out of the page and ask them.

Better to be safe than sorry.

mafya · 31-12-2010, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlueDragon

Hi people,
I've always liked the look of pressed metal numberplates like they use in Germany etc but I was always told they are illegal over here. But I've just found these on ebay that say 100% UK Legal

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pressed-Metal-...item1c1817ef76

Do these look legal or is it wrong advertising?

I've googled and loads of sites say different things so does anyone know the truth

If the letters and numbers are correctly spaced then they are legal. If you read his feedback a customer also states that his car went thru mot fine.

Twiglet · 31-12-2010, 22:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafya

If the letters and numbers are correctly spaced then they are legal. If you read his feedback a customer also states that his car went thru mot fine.

There are far more regulations to be met than just the letters and number being correctly spaced.

davidathomas · 31-12-2010, 23:32

Just looked at the link, you would have to find the most miserable police man on the planet to give you a ticket for them if there not legal, and even if he does its not points its a £60 fixed fine so run the risk as I would say its about a 4% risk

My old Impreza had a small front plate on it the size of a letter box and I never got any hassle at all, can depend on the car, if its a chaved up corsa with weed smoking youth's in it then you will probably get hassle (if there illegal), if its a newer clean car driven by a respectable person chances of a pull are a hell of a lot lower, its not all black and white policing.