How to spot unmarked plod?

[Diablos-666]

Read various threads about what cars unmarked plod are driving but what should I/we be looking out for?

[ukzz4iroc]

For me, I look for
- no dealer/writing on the number plate
- extra aerials
- two rear view mirrors.

[Carfiend]

An unexplainable smell of bacon.

[joe_90]

on the m-way..
Cars that normally are not in the 'slow' lane (bmw's etc)
If they are low on the suspension.
2 people (not always)
Some just doesn't feel right about the driving.

Failing that
spidey sense

[monthefish]

Is usually easier to assume all cars are unmarked plod, and then eliminate them on various factors such as

e.g.

Any modifications
Aftermarkets alloys
Convertibles
Car older than 5 years
Poor maintenance



Note: not all of the above are 100% (plod can be v.sneaky in this respect)

[Phil Dicky]

Diablos-666 said:

Read various threads about what cars unmarked plod are driving but what should I/we be looking out for?

Blue lights in your rear view mirror.

[OMNIO]

Unmarked plod are difficult. I almost have a phobia of overtaking Focus STs, Vectras or Mondeos etc when they are in L1 doing 60 - 70mph lol

[Marf]

ukzz4iroc said:

For me, I look for
- no dealer/writing on the number plate
- extra aerials
- two rear view mirrors.

- Extra lights/reflectors.

[jb9193]

Small lights on the corners of the car

[Petrolhead_Rich]

I tend to find they light up quite well if you carry on past them with the foot on the floor, this is always a dead giveaway!

As above, newish car being driven in an unusual manor (how many Audi/BMW's do you see doing 65MPH in lane 1?) and spidery sense.

[Superhoop]

A second, smaller door mirror

[Petrolhead_Rich]

Marf said:

ukzz4iroc said:

For me, I look for
- no dealer/writing on the number plate
- extra aerials
- two rear view mirrors.

- Extra lights/reflectors.

West Yorkshire now have 2 or 3 Audi Estates (A6's??) working the M1, lights are build into the standard light cluster so no extra lights!, no additional Ariel's etc. either

They are proving quite effective.

Also a few Golf's, Focii and Seats in Doncaster/Sheffield.

[Macd355]

Most plod cars tend to be registered in a specific area. I tend to watch out for SF registered cars here.

[B.J.W]

monthefish said:

Is usually easier to assume all cars are unmarked plod, and then eliminate them on various factors such as

e.g.

Any modifications
Aftermarkets alloys
Convertibles
Car older than 5 years
Poor maintenance



Note: not all of the above are 100% (plod can be v.sneaky in this respect)

True. Recall when Devon Police drafted in some old Senators a few years back. Well past their prime and not at all out of place barging along in the inside lane. Caught quite a few drivers by suprise. Not at all sporting in my opinion.

[Diablos-666]

Right okay, that is quiet helpful. It's a step forward from me looking out for 2 people in a mornern car wearing white shirts.

I don't tend to drive that quick anyway, but sometimes it's noce to have a little blast. Putting your foot down with 350bhp on tap and your into serious 3 figures pretty quick so i like to be sure.

Only tend to do the above when theroad in front is clear mind.

[fin racer]

these days, over here, anything goes.

Golf V5, Passat estate 4motion. Skoda Octavia.

No badges on the Vectras (engine size/type)

[Lordglenmorangie]

[fulvia griff]

Little lights behind the front grill. Expensive car on povo spec wheels. If the bloke driving it is wearing a stab vest it is quite a givaway too...

[SteveS Cup]

Round here you simply can't tell with some.

They've used Skoda's, Subaru's, ST's, BMW's, Mondeo's...

Best one was an A6 TDI in green.

I was heading down to Brighton when this particular A6 cut right in front of me causing me to brake quite heavily doing about 80mph. So with a little rage I followed him (not tail gate) up to about 120... then the whole back end lit up blue! Oops! Slapped wrist for being an idiot, said he was in a rush and apologised for cutting me up and he then ran back to his car and flew off. I felt a bit silly to say the least.

That was 5 years ago now though... I tend not to get wound up on the road anymore.

I also sat at traffic lights in my TT when an ST Focus came flying up my behind. Sat at the red light for 30 seconds and I just spotted the reflection of the lights behind the grill!! So lucky as I thought I was on to a good little play home on a decent A road

[al1991]

A policeman driving.

HTH.