Can a vehicle be seized if registration plates have been removed?

Yes

Removing the registration plates means the car cannot be used on the road, and makes it difficult for bailiffs to identify whether it belongs to the debtor.

Removing the registration plates doesn’t make the vehicle exempt from enforcement.

If the debt is an unpaid traffic contravention debt, or a court fine for a motoring offence, the vehicle involved in the contravention will be on the warrant of control.

Bailiffs rely on ANPR to look for vehicles with unpaid traffic contravention debts and will take control of them when they are found.^[1]

^{[1] See ANPR drive-by enforcement}