Dealers who use self-tappers to fit number plates - why?
Discussion
OldSkoolRS said:
Pica-Pica said:
donkmeister said:
Surely the bigger issue is that some idiot has stuck an AMG badge on it?
Aw, My Gawd!While I wouldn't have stuck one on it myself, I'll leave it on just to annoy the AMG snobs.
Mr Happy said:
The thing that infurated me about the damage I found when switching over my plates (to slightly shorter, but still 100% legal plates) was that the car actually has provision for this from factory - there are two holes which support speed fasteners for the rear plate, and two divets where the front plate could be drilled onto, spaced as to ensure that any smaller plates would still cover these holes (for different countries etc.)
All it takes is a bit of measuring up, but whoever took the job on at delivery just haphazardly drilled through the plate into the bumper then called it good.
What's even worse is that they did the holes unevenly, so the LHS hole is further away from the edge of the plate than the RHS hole (stupid EU flag number plates)
The rear isn't too bad as it's the bumper insert that's taken the damage and I have a replacement ready to go on, but the front bumper plate area is body coloured and oblique so basically needs the bumper to be filled and resprayed to hide the damage (or I just need to put full width plates back on, which is probably what I'm going to do in all honesty)
Exactly the same as my car - there are pre-drilled (and sealed!) holes that they could have used if they could have been bothered! All it takes is a bit of measuring up, but whoever took the job on at delivery just haphazardly drilled through the plate into the bumper then called it good.
What's even worse is that they did the holes unevenly, so the LHS hole is further away from the edge of the plate than the RHS hole (stupid EU flag number plates)
The rear isn't too bad as it's the bumper insert that's taken the damage and I have a replacement ready to go on, but the front bumper plate area is body coloured and oblique so basically needs the bumper to be filled and resprayed to hide the damage (or I just need to put full width plates back on, which is probably what I'm going to do in all honesty)
Riley Blue said:
I've just used double-sided tape to fit new number plates to one of my cars. They're secure and look neat but why do dealers still use self-tappers? I've seen brand new Mercedes with four screws holding the rear plate on, two near the top and two near the bottom. It looks really cheap and shoddy so why do they do it?
I think that most garages do now use double sided foam type tape but on commercials at least perhaps because they have a harder life double sided tape just was not secure enough.When self tappers are use properly they should have a plastic washer and cap which when properly used become almost invisible.Also used in some circumstances were plastic nuts and bolts where the plate is attached to a panel with access to its back and again if used properly are colour matched to the plate.There’s only two things I go to Halfords for; 1, their berry scented screenwash and 2, their thick number plate pads.
Provided you apply them properly, they will hold on to a plate for decades.
I’ve never liked screw caps as they look messy and invariably cause the plate to start deteriorating around the drill hole after a few years, far better in my view to leave the plate in one piece and simply stick it to the vehicle. Looks far neater too.
Provided you apply them properly, they will hold on to a plate for decades.
I’ve never liked screw caps as they look messy and invariably cause the plate to start deteriorating around the drill hole after a few years, far better in my view to leave the plate in one piece and simply stick it to the vehicle. Looks far neater too.
PARKS Volvo Ayr did this with my brand new V50
Even though there are raised lugs on the tailgate to screw the number plate to.
NO. They drilled the tailgate. 4 years or so later I noticed rust from beneath no plate. Of course it wasn't covered under warranty due to dealer negligence (ineptitude?).
Just shoddy and lazy
Even though there are raised lugs on the tailgate to screw the number plate to.
NO. They drilled the tailgate. 4 years or so later I noticed rust from beneath no plate. Of course it wasn't covered under warranty due to dealer negligence (ineptitude?).
Just shoddy and lazy
Pitre said:
Just for your interest, registration plates in France must be rivetted on. Minimises thefts/cloning, supposedly.
Renault/Dacia dealer here, we have to rivet the plates on, annoying thing is though occasionally a bit of metal from the rivet gets into the tailgate and starts rattling about, it's a PITA for the techies to fish out.I don't think there is a definitive answer to this. If number plates are screwed on I think they feel more secure. However, if you have a private plate and have to take it off after a few years sometimes the screws are so rusty it's a pain in the a
e to get them off.
Stick on pads make the plates look 'cleaner' but there is always the risk that they may work loose during very hot weather for example. Plus number plates are flat so using sticky pads on the front curve of a vehicle can make things awkward as the plate will try and retain it's original shape.
e to get them off.Stick on pads make the plates look 'cleaner' but there is always the risk that they may work loose during very hot weather for example. Plus number plates are flat so using sticky pads on the front curve of a vehicle can make things awkward as the plate will try and retain it's original shape.
I find for all new car purchases or used I ask for non screwed plates. 3m Sticky pads tend to be the best - anything that doesnt leave a god awful residue behind that needs 5L of glue and tart to remove after.
Personal bug bare of mine particularly as I have a shorter personalised plate, invariably the plates are screwed at a ste angle anyway.
Just why self tapping screws if they don't have pre drilled/fabricated holes for them to go in similar to Land Rover.
Personal bug bare of mine particularly as I have a shorter personalised plate, invariably the plates are screwed at a s
te angle anyway. Just why self tapping screws if they don't have pre drilled/fabricated holes for them to go in similar to Land Rover.
2024 and supplying dealers still too lazy to use the factory drilled fittings or some sticky tabs.
Brand new, delivery mileage, lazy. It's not even level FFS... and spaced so wide I can't even use a shortened plate when I stick my private reg on.
Brand new, delivery mileage, lazy. It's not even level FFS... and spaced so wide I can't even use a shortened plate when I stick my private reg on.
Edited by beambeam1 on Wednesday 17th April 00:33
beambeam1 said:
2024 and supplying dealers still too lazy to use the factory drilled fittings or some sticky tabs.
Brand new, delivery mileage, lazy. It's not even level FFS... and spaced so wide I can't even use a shortened plate when I stick my private reg on.
Holy sBrand new, delivery mileage, lazy. It's not even level FFS... and spaced so wide I can't even use a shortened plate when I stick my private reg on.
Edited by beambeam1 on Wednesday 17th April 00:33
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