Import number plates pdf link etc

[mrmr96]

Chaps,

My Japanese car failed it's MOT today becasue the tester said the font on the front plate was too small, but I think it's legal as it's an import car and has the dispensation to have a smaller font on the front since the bumper means there's no space for a full sized one.

So I've done some digging to get the evidence to show that it is. I thought it might be useful to someone, since some of the old links on PH are now dead.

Dead link 1 - http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/media/pdf/leaflets/disp...
Dead link 2 - http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/media/pdf/leaflets/v796...

Live link 1 - DVLA leaflets - http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/forms/onlineleaflets.as...
Live link 2 - Mot manual - http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_630.htm
Live link 3 - Gov version of Mot manual - http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m3s06000306.htm
Live link 4 - Article - http://www.craigsplates.com/import-number-plates

I was looking for this very info to argue the toss with my tester, but he offered to make a new plate for £5, so I accepted that to save the hassle. I wish I'd printed some of this stuff before hand, but hey-ho. But now I've looked it all up I thought I'd post it anyway in the hope it's useful to someone.

Cheers

[sy534534]

Had exactly the same issue with my last MOT tester , i now carry the info about imports cars and plates in my glove box, along with a print out about emmision testing as they always get that wrong as well!

[GC8]

The 'state' has certainly made it difficult for you to find confirmation now, havent they?

[Red Devil]

mrmr96 said:

Chaps,

My Japanese car failed it's MOT today becasue the tester said the font on the front plate was too small, but I think it's legal as it's an import car and has the dispensation to have a smaller font on the front since the bumper means there's no space for a full sized one.

So I've done some digging to get the evidence to show that it is. I thought it might be useful to someone, since some of the old links on PH are now dead.

Dead link 1 - http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/media/pdf/leaflets/disp...
Dead link 2 - http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/media/pdf/leaflets/v796...

Live link 1 - DVLA leaflets - http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/forms/onlineleaflets.as...
Live link 2 - Mot manual - http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_630.htm
Live link 3 - Gov version of Mot manual - http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m3s06000306.htm
Live link 4 - Article - http://www.craigsplates.com/import-number-plates

I was looking for this very info to argue the toss with my tester, but he offered to make a new plate for £5, so I accepted that to save the hassle. I wish I'd printed some of this stuff before hand, but hey-ho. But now I've looked it all up I thought I'd post it anyway in the hope it's useful to someone.

Cheers

AFAICS neither Live link 1 nor Live link 2 will lead you to a document which provides written evidence about the exemption for certain imported vehicles. Live link 3 does and is helpful when arguing the toss with an MOT tester. Live link 4 is not an official document although it is useful for telling you where to look. It takes you to this http://www.uk-legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2002/20...

For those who are interested, this link gives the background to the sustained lobbying by importers/owners of American vehicles which led to the above amendment to the 2001 Act. http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/brie... Section 1.4

I would fully endorse the suggestion to keep a printed copy of the 2002 Act in the glove box. It saved me when I was having a 'discussion' about this very issue with a particularly opinionated BiB who was determined to 'educate' me and dish out a £30 FPN (now £60 AIUI). I suggested (very politely) that he might want to check the relevant legislation. He seemed think I was bluffing until I fished the paperwork out of the glove box. I said it was up to him whether or not he chose to read it but there was no way I was paying any FPN for an illegal numberplate because mine weren't. He accepted my offer and watching his balloon burst made it very hard to maintain my composure.

I have never had any MOT issues. That may be because the tester who does mine is up to speed. He sees stacks of Jap imports year on year.

Edited by Red Devil on Tuesday 19th January 14:46

[mrmr96]

Red Devil said:

Live link 4 is not an official document although it is useful for telling you where to look. It takes you to this http://www.uk-legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2002/20...

Cheers for that, that's a good one.

[downimpact]

sy534534 said:

Had exactly the same issue with my last MOT tester , i now carry the info about imports cars and plates in my glove box, along with a print out about emmision testing as they always get that wrong as well!

Link to emmissions testing info please

[GC8]

You need a .pdf of the testing flowchart, which shows that pre-August 1995 imported cars take a pre-cat test.

http://www.motuk.co.uk/images/7.3page9.pdf

Edited by GC8 on Tuesday 19th January 15:21

[Red Devil]

downimpact said:

sy534534 said:

Had exactly the same issue with my last MOT tester , i now carry the info about imports cars and plates in my glove box, along with a print out about emmision testing as they always get that wrong as well!

Link to emmissions testing info please

Here you go
http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m3s07000301.htm
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_730.htm
Flow chart
http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/7.3%20Exhaus...

Those with Jap 'grey imports' may find this useful.

VOSA's response to an enquiry made in 2006 about catalytic converters and emissions levels.
The lack of a catalytic converter is not an automatic fail in itself, but a vehicle may struggle to meet the required emission limits without one. Prior to 31 July 1992, a spark ignition engine is required to meet limits of CO<=3.5% and HC<=1200ppm. Between 1 August 1992 and 31July 1995, the limits will depend on whether or not the vehicle is listed in the current edition of the In Service Exhaust Emission Standards for Road Vehicles book ( currently the Ninth Edition) which all MOT stations are required to hold. If there is an exact match in this book for the vehicle ( regarding engine number/type, model, chassis no, etc. The exact requirements vary between manufacturers) then the vehicle will be tested to the limits in the book. If an exact match cannot be found, the vehicle will again need to meet limits of CO<=3.5% and HC<=1200ppm. I have looked up your particular model and engine and, as stated in your e-mail, this combination is not listed and therefore the vehicle would need to meet limits of CO<=3.5% and HC<=1200ppm. From 1 August 1995, the requirements again depend on whether or not the vehicle is listed in the Emissions book. As your particular combination is not listed, vehicles of this age would need to be tested to the following limits: Minimum oil temperature : 60C Idle (450 - 1500rpm) CO<=4.5% Fast Idle (2500-3000rpm) CO<=0.3% HC<=200ppm Lambda= 0.97 to 1.03 There is one possible exemption to the above requirements. If the customer can provide a letter from the manufacturer, quoting the chassis number and engine number of the vehicle, stating that the engine as originally installed could not meet the relevant UK emissions limits. In this case, the vehicle can be tested to the next lowest limit.”

ETA GC8 beat me to it with the corresponding flowchart!

Edited by Red Devil on Tuesday 19th January 15:50