When this "new" legislation came in we had to see the V5, formal ID and a utility bill and keep a written log of this too. Don't think it happens anymore.I've been getting an advisory for the plate on the LR for a few years where I've had the MOTs done - the numbers/charcaters are a little faded but readable. This year, it was done somewhere else and no advisory.
I thought it was a legal requirement to put the name and postcode of where the plates were made. That and making it the buyers responsibility to understand the legal requirements as far as spacing are concerned seems a little weak. Also thought they needed to see your V5 document too.
Tony.