You’re better off not having a plate at all than an illegal one
A wrong plate of any description can earn you 3 points and a fine whereas no plate can only get you a fine, no points.
I’ve run cars without a front plate for years one only once got a £100 fine.
You may have something there Viper, In future its plateless for me and if I get stopped its a 'Good Consternoon Afterble' followed by 'It must have fallen off Occifer'