pete, this paragraph should suit you (sub section B)

"....(2) Any provision as to measurement contained in this Part or in Schedule 3 shall be taken
to be complied with—
(a) in the case of a provision prescribing character height, if the height of the character is
not more than 1 millimetre more or less than the measurement prescribed herein, and
(b) in the case of a provision prescribing any other dimension, if the dimension of the
character or the space in question is not more than 0.5 millimetres more or less than
the measurement prescribed herein......"

taken from here --

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2...0010561_en.pdf

(part III, para 12)

 

Probably end up as a "split decision"

 

albob - thanks for that, it gives the tolerance ..... 0.5mm +/-

Well, returned to the garage tonight to confront and request an explaination.

They were very good, and refreshingly honest I have to say ..... they refunded my money without question - apologised and explained what had happened.

The MOT Tester had passed his Ministry MOT whatever just two days before my MOT and was rather keen!! He failed the plate (when he shouldn't have, they agree) - he then made up a new plate with the correct dimensions and when he saw the new plate he realised there was no difference in the new plate and the original failed plate!

He tried to cover his steps so made some other plates up with an extended gap between the two groups ..... which now made that one an MOT failure - but he was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I hope he has taken this as a learning experience.