Number plates and chassis numbers:

Number plates must be securely attached to the vehicle and not obscured or so dirty that they could be misread from 20 metres.

The letters and figures must be an equal thickness throughout their entire length and must not be formed in a way that would make them likely to be misread.

The gap between letters and numbers must be at least double the gap between adjacent letters and numbers e.g A242   ABC.

Foreign or diplomatic plates need not comply with these requirements.

A vehicle need not be registered for the purposes of the test and need not have plates, but if a number plate is missing then it will fail.

Number plates do not have to be a specific colour or be reflective for the purposes of the MOT. However, they may commit a road traffic offence if used on the road if they don't comply with the Motor Vehicle (Construction & Use) requirements.

A vehicle identification number, chassis or VIN, is required on all vehicles first used on or after 1st August 1980 except kit cars and amateur built vehicles. Where one is not displayed when required then the vehicle will fail.

Where two different numbers are displayed e.g chassis/frame stamping and manufacturers plate, then the vehicle will  normally fail, but it is acceptable for a vehicle that has been manufactured as part of a multistage build (a modification taken place to a vehicle at the manufacture stage before sold as new) to show more than one VIN. The second and subsequent stage VINs will also be a 17 digit VIN and will be displayed on an additional plate. When a multistage built vehicle is presented for test the last stage VIN must be used for MOT documentation..