Q&A: How number plate compliance impacts motor finance

Against the backdrop of the APPGTS inquiry into illegal and non-compliant plates, Uniplate - a UK-based supplier and manufacturers of number plates - outlines how predictable plate behaviour, secure materials and clearer supplier oversight can help protect underwriting, recovery and fraud-prevention processes. Tom Stiles (TM) in conversation with Alejandro Gonzalez (AG), editor of Motor Finance Online.

AG: How is Uniplate assessing the risk that illegal, cloned or modified plates pose to lenders, particularly where plate misuse contributes to identity fraud or concealment of vehicles on finance agreements?

TS: Illegal and modified plates create blind spots in identification. For lenders this can mean vehicles that appear correct on paper but are difficult to locate in practice.

The core risk comes from unregulated suppliers and materials that do not meet the standard. When plates behave unpredictably under ANPR, the entire chain from underwriting to recovery becomes more complex.

By tightening control of sourcing and ensuring consistent, compliant components, lenders gain the level of certainty that secure identification requires.

AG: The APPGTS inquiry is looking closely at supply chain regulation. What changes to supplier accreditation or oversight would Uniplate consider proportionate, and how might these affect legitimate retailers and finance sector partners?

TS: More oversight is positive when it focuses on the real issue. A clearer supplier register and regular compliance checks would be proportionate steps.

This protects reputable retailers and helps finance partners rely on plates that follow a traceable and predictable process.

The aim should not be more paperwork but clearer expectations. With defined sourcing rules and verified components, legitimate suppliers continue as normal while unregulated operators face higher barriers.

AG: Given the rise in 'ghost plates' and ANPR evasion techniques, what steps is Uniplate taking in product design or quality control to limit the potential misuse of plate materials or components?

TS: Our approach is straightforward. A plate must look correct to the human eye and behave correctly under ANPR.

We use and supply materials with stable reflection properties and validate the design with tests for contrast, readability and durability. This reduces the risk of manipulation with films or surface treatments. The goal is to remove opportunities for shortcuts during or after production.

AG: Some MPs have suggested annual licensing or more stringent conditions for plate suppliers. From Uniplate’s perspective, what would the operational and cost implications be, and how could these be managed without increasing risks of unregulated supply?

TS: Annual licensing can work when the requirements stay practical. If the focus is on quality checks and traceable sourcing, the impact remains manageable for compliant suppliers.

What should be avoided is a burdensome system that pushes honest retailers out of the market. That would create more room for unregulated supply, which is the opposite of what the inquiry wants. A balanced framework protects the market without raising costs unnecessarily.

AG: Motor finance providers rely on accurate vehicle identification for underwriting and recovery. How can manufacturers such as Uniplate support improvements in traceability and verification while maintaining compliance with existing standards (e.g., BS AU 145e)?

TS: We could support finance providers by adding secure and verifiable markers that do not drastically change the visual appearance of the plate.Within the current BS AU 145e framework it would be difficult but with some minor tweaks we can incorporate controlled serialisation of reflective materials and acrylic components, secure labels or defined production data that help verify the origin and authenticity of a plate. This strengthens traceability without complicating recovery or daily operations.

AG: Emerging enforcement tools, such as AI-based detection of non-compliant plates, may drive demand for more secure plate technologies. How is Uniplate preparing for potential changes in regulation or specification that could follow the APPGTS inquiry?

TS: AI-based enforcement will favour plates that act predictably under all conditions. We would prepare by testing our materials with a wide range of camera systems and by maintaining proven technologies that can support higher security levels if required.

Whether optical markers, digital signatures or improved traceability, the building blocks are ready. If regulation evolves, we can respond quickly and contribute to a more secure identification system.

Also see: UK parliamentary inquiry to assess growing use of illegal number plates

"Q&A: How number plate compliance impacts motor finance" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand.

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