Number plate MOT fail.

[kikkthecat]

I was surprised today to have my coupe fail it's MOT on the number plates.

I did try to argue as I have had 5 pass certificates from the same garage for cars all carrying the same number plates. And I mean the exact SAME number plates, not others I've had made with the same digits.

The font is correct, the spacing is correct, they have the BS mark and the makers name and postcode is on there. So why a fail ?
Well they have the England flag on and have done for several years. Now, it's either the EU flag (12 stars) or nothing. Anything else is now an MOT fail.

I dont get a choice here, the rules altered on the 1st October so I will be buying new plates with no markings, I certainly wont be pinning the European flag to my car. (That's personal choice , not trying to start a political argument) The guy showed me the new rules and they have to fail anything that does not conform to very strict guidlines.
But am I alone in being shocked that national flags such as the English, Scottish and Welsh ones are now illegal ? I'm not sure illegal is the right word as the government made them acceptable on plates in December 2001 but my car wont get a pass certificate with one on.

My initial thoughts are that this is just one more step down the nanny state road that is trying to push us all into the same mould and put cameras and inspectors everywhere to make sure we conform.

I'm sure others have different views and I'd love to hear them. I'd also like to hear why this has happened if anyone knows.

 

[Dieselman]

Couldn't you just either buy the dreaded EU flag or some tape to cover your George crosses?

 

[Howard]

Yeah , a little sticker , bung it on .... once they have given you the MOT peel it off ( in front of them )

 

[SG CL500]

Yeah , a little sticker , bung it on .... once they have given you the MOT peel it off ( in front of them )

to be fair to the testers i bet most of them think the rules are stupid as well - they'd more than likely give you a round of applause!

 

[IanA2]

to be fair to the testers i bet most of them think the rules are stupid as well - they'd more than likely give you a round of applause!

Why is it in this country when a new piece of nonsense (usually an EU law), is foisted upon us; we find twenty ways to adhere to it, whilst our european cousins, in particular our Latin cousins, find forty ways around it..?...

 

[mobiledreams12]

Yep - it's true
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/210559/registration_plates.html

 

[del320]

So why a fail ?
Well they have the England flag on and have done for several years. Now, it's either the EU flag (12 stars) or nothing. Anything else is now an MOT fail.

Not so - according to the horse's mouth - top right of page 2.

 

[Colin_b]

Why is it in this country when a new piece of nonsense (usually an EU law), is foisted upon us; we find twenty ways to adhere to it, whilst our european cousins, in particular our Latin cousins, find forty ways around it..?...

Simple, they are better at playing the game, and don't have control freaks in power. Sad really that excursion into Europe has managed to take many of the worst aspects of our neighbours, while ignoring the better ones.

I do, naturally blame the French, but that is based on envy, I regeret to say

 

[Dieselman]

I thought Ray had the St.Georges cross.??

Are there any additional checks on dual purpose plates?
Dual purpose plates can be fitted to any age of vehicle, but are
only permitted to display an acceptable international symbol or flag.
These are the Euro symbol, with a GB identifier, Union flag,
Scottish Saltire, Cross of St George, or the Red Dragon each with
their respective National identifiers. Other emblems, such as
football team crests etc are not allowed.

 

[MBManInKen]

Why is it in this country when a new piece of nonsense (usually an EU law), is foisted upon us; we find twenty ways to adhere to it

You mean, adhere to it in the same way as all those on the speeding thread who are coming up with this list of reasons for not sticking to the speed limits?

Can we stop blaming everything we don't like on Europe? It's fashionable, perhaps, but frankly bears little relationship to the truth.

I do sympathise with Ray, but I'd like to point out that this is not singling out the English. My fellow Flemish aren't allowed to put "VL" on their number plates either. Why? Because the EU member states are the nation states that signed up to the Treaty, irrespective of these nation states' internal constructions. There is no more silly conspiracy to screw the British in this than in any of the loony propaganda of UKIP.

I personally prefer the EU GB plates over that dreadful oval sticker, but of course tastes do differ.

 

[Howard]

I think the point is , is that in Spain or Portugal or wherever laws aren't (quite ) as strictly enforced as here , they will just look at this and say forget it ...

Jose isn't going to fail cars in his mountain garage MOT shop for not having the right plates , he probably won't even look at the car , and will do the MOT over the phone ....

Not being stereotypical , but you know what they are like on the continent ...

 

[Dieselman]

WOW, very sweeping statements there Howard, are you sure you're correct. don't say you read it in the Daily Mail so it must be...

 

[Howard]

Just renewed my subscription

 

[MBManInKen]

I'm very disappointed by that reply, Howard, this kind of stereotypical prejudice about other people and countries does not do you justice .

There is a lot I could say about all these silly stereotypes around other countries, but I don't think it would make much difference.

What I will say, though, is that if someone from Spain would complain about an internal British matter such as how British government enforces its laws, there would immediately be an outcry about these bloody Europeans sticking their noses into sovereign British matters. Perhaps it's courteous to let other countries have their own independence in how they build their societies.

The EU is nothing but a partnership, and it's about compromise and mutual agreements in terms of what EU law eventually looks. "Compromise" and "mutual agreement" are not synonym to "do it all as I say" as far as I know.

I am a great anglophile and love British society, but this irrational and negative attitude towards Europe is something I find rather disappointing, precisely because it is not driven by facts or ratio, but full of stereotypical prejudice.

 

[Howard]

I suppose its because the media only reports the idiotic laws foisted upon us by Europe , not the useful ones ...

Very tired now , been up for 32 hours ....

 

[MBManInKen]

I suppose its because the media only reports the idiotic laws foisted upon us by Europe , not the useful ones ...

The point being that most of the "spectacular" media stories bear little relation to the actual facts - but why spoil a good story with any facts?

 

[Howard]

I'm all for countries having independance in how the build their societies, but as long as they enforce the same regulations as we have to , courtesy of Europe ...

France were only too happy to let the illegals climb all over the trucks to get to the UK .....as long as they weren't in France , they didn't care ... hence the creation of Sangatte after pressure from the UK government. ...

 

[MBManInKen]

I'm all for countries having independance in how the build their societies, but as long as they enforce the same regulations as we have to , courtesy of Europe ...

But where is the proof that they don't? Countries have legal obligations with regard to EU law, and I have never seen any proof that only the UK is good at implementing and enforcing them.

France were only too happy to let the illegals climb all over the trucks to get to the UK .....as long as they weren't in France , they didn't care ... hence the creation of Sangatte after pressure from the UK government. ...

You need to change newspaper, the French, as much as you might loath them, were not deliberately trying to fob off the problem onto you and were not shying away from enforcement. Sangatte was as much a problem to them as to you.

I think this thread is getting way too political. I'll give it a rest, we're only getting deeper into the stereotypes.

 

[crockers]

I actually know José - he is my cousin's wife's 3rd husband, she emigrated to Spain after getting caught doing 31 mph in a 30 mph zone and had to flee the country. Well Howard that is a massive slur upon José - there is no way he will do the State inspection over the phone - He is a law abiding citizen and to use the phone would interupt his siesta. He now has a website www.Joséquickfix.es whereby you can log in - enter you credit card details and he will issue you with the certificate.. I do believe his other brother Manuel now lives in Nigeria and is something big in finance.

They also sell cars at way below list price - but unfortunately they are all over in the Balkans awaiting shipping - I am sure if you wanted a cheap car they can arrange shipping after you have sent Manuel the monies,

 

[DITTRICH]

Not so - according to the horse's mouth - top right of page 2.

Well spotted - I was worried for a second - worth printing out and showing to the MOT Tester!
les