More than one million vehicles failed the vital MOT test last year due to problems with number plates and number plate lights.
The figures, based on DVSA data, revealed that 1.4 million drivers failed their MOT because of faults which could be easily spotted and often cheap to fix.
It looked at Class 4 vehicles, which include most cars and light vans in the UK, with 477,914 MOT failure items linked to the condition or legality of number plates.
The biggest reason for failing the MOT was due to testers being unable to read number plates properly, which accounted for 389,375 failures, or more than four in five number plate-related faults.
According to experts, a number plate can become difficult to read if it is faded, cracked, damaged or covered in dirt, while loose fixings or incorrect spacing can also make the registration harder to read.
A further 60,451 MOT failure items were recorded because the number plates failed to meet legal rules.
This included plates with the wrong font, incorrect spacing or decorative designs such as tinted or carbon-effect backgrounds.
In the UK, number plates must have black letters and numbers in the correct font and spacing. Front plates must have a white reflective background, and rear plates must have a yellow reflective background.
1.4 million MOT tests failed due to poor number plates and lighting conditions
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PADrivers caught travelling in vehicles which failed their MOT can be slapped with a £100 fine, although this can reach £1,000.
If the vehicle is deemed “dangerous,” penalties rise to £2,500, three penalty points, and a potential driving ban.
Green Flag, which compiled the information, explained that some drivers use tinted or “grey” number plates that are harder to see, especially at night, although these are illegal.
This can also make it more difficult for Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to read the registration, while drivers can also fail an MOT if a number plate is missing, loose or fitted incorrectly.
Motorists must ensure their number plates meet standards or they could be slapped with a huge £1,000 fine | PA
The most common problem was one or more number plate lights not working, which resulted in 513,316 failure items.
Other faults included lights that did not come on with the vehicle’s side lights, missing lamps, loose fittings and lights that shone white light directly behind the vehicle.
Damon Jowett, Head of Customer, Roadside and Network Services at Green Flag, said: “Many drivers don’t realise how strict the rules around number plates are. Something as simple as a faded digit, cracked plastic or a loose fixing can lead to an MOT failure.
“With more than 1.3 million number plate-related MOT failure items recorded last year, a simple visual check could help drivers avoid unnecessary cost and disruption.”
What a ‘ghost’ number plate looks like to an ANPR camera | WOLVERHAMPTON COUNCIL
Drivers are encouraged to ensure their number plates are clean and easy to read, and clear of cracks, fading or damage, and avoid using decorative number plates that do not meet legal standards.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Given the proliferation of number plate recognition cameras used for various types of enforcement, it simply isn’t right that criminals can get away with these offences by easily purchasing illegal ghost plates.
“Together with the modern motoring menace that is cloned number plates, where blameless drivers have to prove their innocence for motoring offences they didn’t commit, it’s apparent these are serious and growing problems that need solutions.”