Why hide the registration plate?
Discussion
Not totally related to just Chimaeras, but after after looking to buy a Chimaera for the last 8 months (and finally buying one last week - yipeee), I still haven't figured why so many people blank out their registration plates on adverts. Am I missing something here? What possible harm could come from showing a registration plate in an ad? Its not like we all cover them up every time we go out in public, say parking at Tescos.
Just interested to know the reason people do this, sure there's a very good explanation.
Just interested to know the reason people do this, sure there's a very good explanation.
I think this is the fastest and most comprehensive hijack of a thread I've seen, in a mere three posts it's gone from a question about blanking out number plates to where we go shopping. Amazing!!!
I also am interested why people do it, and it's a question I've asked on another forum and not yet got an answer. It's such a widespread practise so let's have some definitive answers, not just a vague "the less you put on the internet the better"
I also am interested why people do it, and it's a question I've asked on another forum and not yet got an answer. It's such a widespread practise so let's have some definitive answers, not just a vague "the less you put on the internet the better"
With the increase in the use of automated number plate recognition systems, and the difficulty in getting plates made up, the number plates on your car will soon become the most valuable part of your car. The DVLA can now check MoT, Insurance and road fund through their computers.
Ringing cars is on the increase, and the internet simply serves to make it easy for people to grab a suitable number.
As for going out in public, come on, think about it for a minute, lets, get hypothetical, say someone has got his hands on a £10K Chimaera, but he's a bit of a pikey, he's disqualified for D&D and can't afford the insurance, but he wants to 'look' okay so if the BiB do a PNC check it all checks out okay, is he going to sit in Tescos and wait for a blue Chim' to turn up, or is he going to come on PH (or other net sites) and do a search for a blue Chim'? Okay extream example, but you get the idea.
On a more common level, according to several UK police forces is car identity thefy to evade speed cameras and parking offences, here's a page from the AA web site:
'Last year, in the 26 UK police forces that now record the crime, there were 14,176 confirmed thefts of number-plates. Up to one in 250 vehicles may be entering the London congestion charge zone on false number-plates and more than £14 million is lost annually by petrol stations from drive-offs, mostly involving cloned cars.'
www.aamotoringtrust.com/index.asp?PageID=31&Year=2005&NewsID=64
Now tell me you want your number emblazened all over the 'net.
Tim
Ringing cars is on the increase, and the internet simply serves to make it easy for people to grab a suitable number.
As for going out in public, come on, think about it for a minute, lets, get hypothetical, say someone has got his hands on a £10K Chimaera, but he's a bit of a pikey, he's disqualified for D&D and can't afford the insurance, but he wants to 'look' okay so if the BiB do a PNC check it all checks out okay, is he going to sit in Tescos and wait for a blue Chim' to turn up, or is he going to come on PH (or other net sites) and do a search for a blue Chim'? Okay extream example, but you get the idea.
On a more common level, according to several UK police forces is car identity thefy to evade speed cameras and parking offences, here's a page from the AA web site:
'Last year, in the 26 UK police forces that now record the crime, there were 14,176 confirmed thefts of number-plates. Up to one in 250 vehicles may be entering the London congestion charge zone on false number-plates and more than £14 million is lost annually by petrol stations from drive-offs, mostly involving cloned cars.'
www.aamotoringtrust.com/index.asp?PageID=31&Year=2005&NewsID=64
Now tell me you want your number emblazened all over the 'net.
Tim
Cloning may be on the increase, but I'd be very surprised if cloning of Sports cars is anything approaching a notable ammount. One in 250 cars is cloned (in London). Ok. What percentage of that 0.4% is anything out of the ordinary?
Protect the reg on your escort maybe but a small percentage, of a small(ish) percentage doesn't seem the most important thing to worry about.
Protect the reg on your escort maybe but a small percentage, of a small(ish) percentage doesn't seem the most important thing to worry about.
madbadger said:
Cloning may be on the increase, but I'd be very surprised if cloning of Sports cars is anything approaching a notable ammount. One in 250 cars is cloned (in London). Ok. What percentage of that 0.4% is anything out of the ordinary?
Protect the reg on your escort maybe but a small percentage, of a small(ish) percentage doesn't seem the most important thing to worry about.
PMSL, I see you're in the 'it won't happent to me catagory'
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you m8.
Tim
In New Zealand you can simply walk up to any post shop (NZ Post) show your drivers licence provide a number plate along with the vechile Make (and preferably model) pay all of $2.25 and within 30 seconds you have the address, name, chasis number and a few other details.
Absolutley crazy law. Therefore it makes good sense to block your plates. Although I must confess I have used this method to find most of the 19 TVRs that exist in the South Island. Course you have to spot them out and about first or something similar. Has been good in this situation as has allowed us to get a club operating.
Absolutley crazy law. Therefore it makes good sense to block your plates. Although I must confess I have used this method to find most of the 19 TVRs that exist in the South Island. Course you have to spot them out and about first or something similar. Has been good in this situation as has allowed us to get a club operating.
TT Tim said:
Cloning may be on the increase, but I'd be very surprised if cloning of Sports cars is anything approaching a notable ammount. One in 250 cars is cloned (in London). Ok. What percentage of that 0.4% is anything out of the ordinary?
Protect the reg on your escort maybe but a small percentage, of a small(ish) percentage doesn't seem the most important thing to worry about.
PMSL, I see you're in the 'it won't happent to me catagory'
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you m8.
Tim
I guess I'll take my chances.
Incidentally, I reckon I could find a plate for your theoretical blue chim in about a week, even if there were none posted on t'internet. Especially over the summer when it is showtime.
If I was to take the precaution of erasing the plate on photos it would seem sensible never to go to any car club meets / tracks / shows or allow any pictures to be published in Sprint or any other mags. Maybe I should stop kids taking photos on their phones when I drive past too.
I definately would want all my details removed from that RAC site and also the DVLA and police databases that it would appear all the cloners and theives have got access to.
madbadger said:
Cloning may be on the increase, but I'd be very surprised if cloning of Sports cars is anything approaching a notable ammount. One in 250 cars is cloned (in London). Ok. What percentage of that 0.4% is anything out of the ordinary?
Protect the reg on your escort maybe but a small percentage, of a small(ish) percentage doesn't seem the most important thing to worry about.
PMSL, I see you're in the 'it won't happent to me catagory'
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you m8.
Tim
I guess I'll take my chances.
Incidentally, I reckon I could find a plate for your theoretical blue chim in about a week, even if there were none posted on t'internet. Especially over the summer when it is showtime.
If I was to take the precaution of erasing the plate on photos it would seem sensible never to go to any car club meets / tracks / shows or allow any pictures to be published in Sprint or any other mags. Maybe I should stop kids taking photos on their phones when I drive past too.
I definately would want all my details removed from that RAC site and also the DVLA and police databases that it would appear all the cloners and theives have got access to.
Don't be an arse. The initial posting was why do people cover up their plates, that question has been answered.
I think we all know your thoughts now.
Don't take offence, I think you've just taken this a step too far.
Tim
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