Citroen XM Forum

White Exec wrote:

Eddie nuff wrote:. . . but I don't see the British Standard number or the name and post code of the company that actually made the plates.

I can understand why he might have chosen to leave them off. He has a reputation to protect!
(And personal reommendation is the best form of advertising.)

I don't think that those rules were retrospective (i.e. they dont apply to vehicles made before the rules were introduced).

There is no BS number or postcode on the plates Neil and indeed these were not required in 1989. On the balance I think it is quite a minor issue and hopefully not enough to upset or offend anyone! A more serious infringement in my opinion is when different typeface and/or character spacing are used. Regards, Matthew T.

Oh yes. Dodgy spacing really gets you in hot water!

One of the taxi drivers we licence bought himself LM04HRE (limo 4 hire)

Spaced the plate:

LM0
4HRE
Got stopped within 24 hours. Fined £250 on the spot plus got a heap load of grief from my team!!!!

Rob

I'm surprised there is no BS number as that only applies to the reflecive material, not any issues around fonts, spacing, or other notations on the plate.

No-one is going to worry about those plates, they are easily readable.

MTXM wrote:There is no BS number or postcode on the plates Neil and indeed these were not required in 1989. On the balance I think it is quite a minor issue and hopefully not enough to upset or offend anyone!

The changes took place in 2001 when all plates must comply with BS AU 145d, which states the BSI mark and the name and postcode of the supplier of the plates must be shown. The implication is that, although these were not required on 1989 cars, if the number plates were supplied after Sept 2001, the markings need to be there.

It doesn't upset or offend me in the slightest, but it is illegal. As for the spacing of the letters I thoroughly agree with you. Pet hate of mine, as you may have figured, and number plates should be standard and not tampered with, and the £1000 fine issued more often.

Correct, it's the plates that must conform (font, spacing, material) to the current spec, irrespective of the vehicle fitted to. Exceptions exist for a vintage/veteran vehicles, where, for example, original plates were pressed silver on black, or raised digits. Not sure of the cut-off date for these latter.
Some of the fonts that appeared in the 80s and 90s were simply a joke (eg New Palace Script, Old English, and much worse), which might be then treated with hair lacquer and the like, in a rumoured attempt to make them totally reflective, and therefore immune to flash-Gatso.
Do like the current German approved typeface, though, with its very legible but stylish 'gappy' characters.

I can't see anywhere that says it is an offence to have a non-BS AU 145d standard plate on a pre-2001 vehicle (providing that the font, layout and colour are correct). It is an offence to make such a plate in the UK, but I don't think that it is an offence to import one.

It doesn't upset or offend me in the slightest

That is good news Neil!
With regards,
Matthew T.

Matthew, I need to get a front plate made up to match the original rear plate.
I want the original suppling dealers details as on the rear.

Can you pass me the name of your plate maker?

Amazingly I have the original tax disc holder still in the car with the dealers details on. I would like to try and keep the collars and cuffs matching!

Rob

I am sorry Rob but I have only just spotted your post and I shall happily PM my plate makers contact details. Is L.J. Irvine actually the original supplier of the car? If you could identify and/or provide the logo font I am sure that would also be helpful. With regards, Matthew T.