URGENT: MOT failure on registration plate

[RobnKathryn]

My van was MOT'd on Christmas eve and failed on registration plate, incorrect character width and height.
I have until 5pm today for free retest and have just purchased a new set of plates which the supplier swears comply with regs. But they're exactly the same as the ones i already have (a bit annoying since the supplier looked at the old ones 1st!)
The MOT man is adamant that they're not legal, and the supplier is adamant that they are. They look exactly the same as all Bongo's have, standard Jap plate.
Any ideas anyone??
The MOT man also tried to say it would fail because the middle seat belts had nowhere to go (i have reversed my middle seats) and the front door catch was stiff. These items miraculously disappeared after a spot of arguing and an extra £10 as a Christmas drink, but the guy is not moving on the no. plates.

[trevd01]

In an earlier thread ...

I think you will find that somewhere in some regulations you will find that there is a dispensation for Japanese imports to be allowed smaller plates, yep found it:

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Numberplates
Once your vehicle has been allocated a UK registration number, it must be displayed on front and rear numberplates in accordance with UK requirements. Failure to meet the requirements is an offence attracting a maximum fine of up to £1,000 and in some cases the registration mark may be withdrawn. The police can also issue fixed penalty fines for illegally displayed numberplates and vehicles may also fail the annual vehicle MoT test. It is an offence to alter, rearrange or misrepresent letters or numbers in order to form names or words; e.g. A242 ABC must not be displayed as A242A BC.

For vehicles first registered on after 1 January 1973, the characters must be black, the background must be reflex-reflecting material, white at the front and yellow at the rear. Each number plate shall be permanently and legibly marked in such a position as to be clearly visible when the number plate is fitted to the vehicle, with the following information: (i) the name, trade mark or other means of identification of the maker; (ii) the number of the British Standard, i.e. BS AU 145a.

New or Replacement Plates Fitted from 1 September 2001 must be fitted in accordance with BS AU 145d, and show (i) the number of the BS (i.e. BS AU 145d), (ii) the name trade mark or other means of identification of the manufacturer or component supplier; (iii) name and postcode of the supplying of identification of the manufacturer or component supplier; (iv) name and postcode of the supplying outlet.

Certain imported vehicles may be permitted to display numberplates with smaller characters if:

The vehicle does not have European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval
And

The vehicle's construction/ design cannot accommodate standard size plates
Specifications for numberplates
Standard size plates

Character Height
79mm

Character Width (except the figure 1 or I)
50mm

Character Stroke
14mm

Space between characters
11mm

Space between groups
33mm

Top, bottom and side margins (minimum)
11mm

Space between vertical lines
19mm


Smaller size plates (for certain imported vehicles)

Character Height
64mm

Character Width (except the figure 1 or I)
44mm

Character Stroke
10mm

Space between characters
10mm

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicle ... 559?page=2

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That just says smaller, I can't see it says how small, just tells you the size of the characters and the spacing.

13 x 7 is the norm on Bongos - ours was inspected as a camper conversion and has passed two MOTs with them. Same thing on most Japanese imports AFAIK.

[RobnKathryn]

Thanks for the quick reply Trevor. I've just spoken to VOSA who confirm that the height and width can be 64x44mm on a Japanese import, which is in accordance with mine, so I'm off back to the MOT station to appeal against their decision now.

Rob

[neil/di]

Good luck Rob.
Keep us informed
Neil

[wrster]

I think if you're registered as a motorcaravan then you don't legally need rear seat belts at all?

[Ian]

You are correct. But WHERE FITTED, they must pass MOT requirements.

[bigdaddycain]

I'd go elsewhere in future robnkathryn...The tester is clued up enough to "assume" the plates aren't "legal"...but not clued up enough to realize that certain japanese imports are exempt from the "normal reg" size regulations.

It's reassuring to know that you have a thorough tester...but that thorough?

How many police cars have been driving behind you in the past and pulled you over for the reg plates? (none i bet).

The tester who did my last mot said he'd have failed my bongo for the skinny spacesaver... (which i'd just replaced with a full size spare,cheers dbo!)

Now, i have no idea if he was within his rights to do this, but i'd have gone along with his trained eye,and experience,and lost the spacesaver if it had still been fitted...That is a real safety related item,i can't see a bus stop being mown down cos the tester thinks the spacing is wrong on your reg plates...

This is an extension of the ridiculous (in some cases) health & safety rules that apply nowadays...

Was i ranting again?

[RobnKathryn]

Here's a quick belated update, oh and happy new year guys. Well, I returned to MOT place on Thursday as they'd asked me to and the tester wasn't there, so they wouldn't comment on his decision but gave me an extra day......how nice of them to compensate my inconvenience so generously.

Returned the following day and the guy immediately backed down and issued me a certificate, so all is ok now..just an annoying waste of time and effort.

[The Great Pretender]

Here's a quick belated update, oh and happy new year guys. Well, I returned to MOT place on Thursday as they'd asked me to and the tester wasn't there, so they wouldn't comment on his decision but gave me an extra day......how nice of them to compensate my inconvenience so generously.

Returned the following day and the guy immediately backed down and issued me a certificate, so all is ok now..just an annoying waste of time and effort.

Glad you got it sorted, but its disconcerting that the guy dont know his job.
I have used the same guy for years (Peter at Prospect Garage in Standish) really knows his job, and honest. If he says there is a problem I trust him. Use him as my eyes under the vehicle. Hope you can find 1 like him.

Happy new year........................hic............

[helen&tony]

Hi Rob-n-Kathryn
Glad to see you got it sorted. Go back next year....you know he won't try it twice.
Helen

[mikeonb4c]

Hi Rob-n-Kathryn
Glad to see you got it sorted. Go back next year....you know he won't try it twice.
Helen

How true!! As Churchill advocated, always be magnanimous in victory.

The point here of course is how fantastically useful the collective knowledge and support on BF is - quite amazing and just what is required to take Mr Self-Important-KnowItAll to task!!