In February 2025, a BBC London investigation revealed that seven Amazon sellers were supplying vehicle number plates without verifying the necessary legal documents, a violation of UK law. In response, Amazon pledged to remove these listings and ban the sale of number plates on its platform, except for novelty plates. citeturn0search4
Private plate supplier Regtransfers has expressed concerns about the investigation’s accuracy. They noted that the number plates shown in the BBC’s article, such as “BBC1 LDN” and “BBC2 LDN,” are not valid UK registrations and can be legally sold as novelty items without documentation. Regtransfers’ CEO, Mark Trimbee, stated that the law requires documentation only for plates displaying valid UK registration formats. citeturn0search5
Trimbee emphasized the importance of addressing the broader issue of number plate cloning, where illegally duplicated plates are used to commit offenses, leading to innocent motorists facing penalties. He highlighted that while the BBC’s findings are concerning, they represent just a fraction of a more significant problem, with many illicit suppliers operating on platforms like eBay under the guise of selling “show plates” for off-road use. citeturn0search5
Regtransfers has reached out to the BBC for further clarification on the investigation’s details but has yet to receive a response. They advocate for more comprehensive measures to tackle the issue of cloned plates and ensure that all suppliers adhere strictly to legal requirements. citeturn0search5
