Number plate and VIN MOT failures

Cheap to fix and on the free retest list – but a surprising number of cars fail on show plates, wrong fonts and missing VINs.

Checked against the MOT inspection manual and GOV.UK guidance · Updated November 2026

Number plates

Front and rear plates must be present, secure, legible and in the legal format. The tester checks:

• The characters are the correct registration, in the standard Charles Wright font, the right size and spacing
• Characters are black on a white background at the front and black on yellow at the rear, with no patterned background
• The plate is not cracked, faded, delaminated or obscured (tow bar, bike rack, dirt)
• Plates fitted from 1 September 2021 meet British Standard BS AU 145e – stronger and with no two-tone or multi-shade characters

Allowed extras are limited to the national identifiers (UK, and in some cases national flags of the UK nations) and the supplier's details and British Standard mark. Raised "3D" or "4D" lettering is allowed under BS AU 145e if it's a single solid black shade.

Common failures

VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)

Cars first used from 1 August 1980 must show a VIN, either on a plate secured to the vehicle or stamped into the body or chassis. The tester checks that it's there, legible and matches the vehicle's record. A VIN that has been tampered with can indicate a stolen or cloned car.

Costs

Typical UK independent garage prices including parts, labour and VAT, 2026. Main dealers and premium/4x4 vehicles cost more.