Page 1 of Replacement number plate

I`ve got a broken front number plate, are the number plates you can buy on ebay actually legal? From legitimate shops they charge £14.99+ for one. Ebay have them for £9.99 for both! They are asking for legal documents from legit shops... so how does it work on ebay?

Thanks in advance :)

Due to legal changes brought in a few years ago, you can`t get replacement number plates without supplying a document confirming your identity, as well as an ORIGINAL document relating to the vehicle that establishes your entitlement to the number plate.

If they don`t ask for one OF EACH of your documents, they probably aren`t legit. They also have to be registered with the DVLA.

I would err on the side of caution and cough up the extra, lest you start getting speeding camera fines you weren`t expecting.

EDIT: Just spotted this in very small, very pale grey writing right at the bottom of a listing for plates;

Quote:
All plates unless specifically requested (documentation required) are sold as "show use" and/or "off road use" and therefore we cannot be held responsible for illegal use of these plates on the road, by choosing "buy it now" you are agreeing to these terms and conditions of sale, We cannot be held responsible for any fines or convictions resulting from using these plates for any purpose but for the one for which they were designed.Short answer - Not Road legal - check the small print

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This item was edited on Wednesday, 23rd November 2011, 20:34

By the way the whole reason for this red tape is to stop bad guys cloning your number plate, or putting false plates on their stolen car.

But I have news for you guys, you can buy a name plate making machine for next to nothing, and the bad guys use these.

So its one big load of rubbish red tape for the honest motorist looking to replace a broken plate, as thes system does not deter the bad guy.

TIP....... I visit my wifes relatives in Scotland every year, and you can go into any car parts shop there like Halfords and get a car numberplate made, No paperwork required, but they do take name and address to write in their little black book.

Quote:
bandicoot says...
TIP....... I visit my wifes relatives in Scotland every year, and you can go into any car parts shop there like Halfords and get a car numberplate made, No paperwork required, but they do take name and address to write in their little black book.Not any more, it`s illegal to sell a road-use plate without first seeing documentation.
Even though my mate does all my work on my car I still had to get him the reference from my reg doc for him to order an extra plate for me to use on my tow board.

The plates you see on Fleabay and some other places can still be road legal or allowed. If they have the correct font type, size and spacing and there`s a wee number in the bottom right (think it`s a BS number or something) it`s allowable, but the reason the docs are now required is that the issuing garage or dealer has their name embedded into the plate now too so they would have their balls in a proverbial sling if they issue a plate when it shouldn`t have been.

You can usually get plates made genuine for around a tenner though so I`d shop about a little.

Jimbo : oÞ

"There`s that word again... is there a problem with the Earth`s gravitational pull in the future?"

I don`t see the harm in buying a cheap set of `novelty plates` off the web.  How can they prove how long you`ve had them.  You could have bought them before all these rules/checks came in.  Like Jimbo said, if the font, spacing and size are correct I don`t see you having a problem.  It would take some jumped up, arrogant, power tripping copper to pull you for something as little as not having that embedded number on the plate; and they don`t exist so you should be fine.

This item was edited on Wednesday, 23rd November 2011, 23:44

Quote:
r8sso. says...
You could have bought them before all these rules/checks came in. Unless the car is newer than when said regs became legal ;)
There`s also that number stamped onto (I think) the corner which, if the tester knows his stuff, is an MOT fail (I know, it`s bollox but if it stops you getting screwed for a couple of quid more.... :-/)

Jimbo : oÞ

"There`s that word again... is there a problem with the Earth`s gravitational pull in the future?"

I bought my replacement plates from ebay, I have nothing against the regulation as such, but sorry I refuse to be held to ransom by some auto spares shop who think they can charge me £15 for one plate just because they think I have no other choice. The ones from ebay are exactly the same as the ones from the auto spares place, correct font, spacing etc they advertise them as `for show use` just to cover their arses legally but theres no difference between these plates and any other apart from the price.

Mine came from Ireland, where apparently this daft rule isnt in force ...and for the record Ive had mine on my car for years and pass the MOT with no problems 

I also buy my plates off the net.
I use legal size and font, but illegal spacing.
The plates are also required to show a BSAU marking and the supplying dealer`s postcode.
But mine don`t.
I`ve had cars pass the MOT like this without any problem.

This item was edited on Thursday, 24th November 2011, 10:46

Quote:
bowfer says...
The plates are also required to show a BSAU marking and the supplying dealer`s postcode^^~~ that`s it, BSAU number.
Couldn`t remember it exactly and wasn`t gonna go to the car to check but it is a factor in the MOT and 9 out of 10 times it will be missed but if the tester spots it and fails you it`s one of those "you knew it so why are you complaining about the fail" things.

Similar to a woman near here a couple of weeks ago, unmarked BMW pulls in beside her seriously badly (just) parked X5 and has a conversation ending in a ticket. She`s calling them all the whatsits under the sun then turns round to me and says she`s sick of it, that`s the second time she`s been ticketed for her mis-spaced reg.

FFS, it`s illegal, if you get away with it all fair n good but if you get stopped by a guy doing his job when you`ve misrepresented the plate, how in the name of God can you complain about it especially when it`s not the first time!!

Anywhoo, back to the plates :D it`s a personal choice thing, perhaps I`m a wee bit more wary of using a "vanity" plate on my cars due to my occupation and possibility of raised insurance (any excuse to bump up a taxi policy has them hand wringing with glee) but make sure it`s definitely the correct font and sizing and it`d take a helluva eagle eyed cop to spot it when it`s moving.

Jimbo : oÞ

"There`s that word again... is there a problem with the Earth`s gravitational pull in the future?"

Don`t get me wrong, I`d have had no complaints if we`d failed the MOT for lack of BSAU and dealer postcode.
I was half-expecting it.
And I agree with you, Jimbo, legal size and font doesn`t seem to bother the police.
I`m living proof, I`ve been up and down the UK for years with illegal spacing and no problem.
ANPR will still be able to read it, even with illegal spacing.
It`s when you bugger around with font and making letters look like other letters that you`re asking for trouble.