Octy II Hatch.

If the rear number plate were to be attached with 2 self tapping screws would the screws be secured into metal or plastic in the bootlid?

Octy II Hatch.

If the rear number plate were to be attached with 2 self tapping screws would the screws be secured into metal or plastic in the bootlid?

I'm afraid that self tapping screws are drilled straight into the metal of the boot. I wish dealers would just use adhesive pads to secure the rear number plate on. They stick perfectly to metal provided they are vertical.

Octy II Hatch.

If the rear number plate were to be attached with 2 self tapping screws would the screws be secured into metal or plastic in the bootlid?

I'm afraid that self tapping screws are drilled straight into the metal of the boot. I wish dealers would just use adhesive pads to secure the rear number plate on. They stick perfectly to metal provided they are vertical.

The self tappers could of course go into the place where the plastic threaded bolts would have gone!

The self tappers could of course go into the place where the plastic threaded bolts would have gone!

How many dealers do you reckon bother to this properly though?!

I'll be getting onto my dealer and telling them to stick the plates on, otherwise there will be trouble!

You could always use one of these

Keith, there will be a greater chance of the dealer using plastic bolts on the rear plate as it is going onto a flat surface.

On the front, the spacing of the built in nuts isn't really sufficient to keep the number plate flat against the slightly rounded body if plastic bolts are solely used. Additional double sided pads are ideally needed to ensure a perfect fit.

P.S. Don't forget to tell the dealer that you want GB plates in case you go abroad.

Keith, there will be a greater chance of the dealer using plastic bolts on the rear plate as it is going onto a flat surface.

On the front, the spacing of the built in nuts isn't really sufficient to keep the number plate flat against the slightly rounded body if plastic bolts are solely used. Additional double sided pads are ideally needed to ensure a perfect fit.

P.S. Don't forget to tell the dealer that you want GB plates in case you go abroad.

Thanks John, that's good advice. I will remind them to put GB plates on too.

The cars are supplied with the holes pre drilled in the tailgate for the plates to be attached. Look at a brand new one and you'll see the holes already present. Having had several stuck on with pads plates fall off, I'd rather have the screws.

Mine (2008, 58 plate vRS) has plastic inserts in the hatch for the self-tappers to screw into.

My screws were slightly too small for the holes! I replaced them with the next size up.

My screws were slightly too small for the holes! I replaced them with the next size up.

Which equates to:- My screws were slightly too small for the holes the wrong size! I replaced them with the next size up right size.

If you go for the plate surrounds then you may need longer screws.

Depends if you screw the surround to the car and fit new plates without holes or just fit the plate to the surround and screw through it all.

My vRS plates were attached with sticky pads.

When I removed them to fit my personal plates I used sticky pads again.

No chance of bolts and screws appearing in awkward places within the plate and those sticky pads are going nowhere.

My original plates on the back of my Octy were stuck on but the stickiness wore off

I managed to find self tappers that fit the plastic holes and hence screwed it into those.

Works a treat!

One of my pet hates is when the dealers fit the plates on the p!ss.....

No chance of bolts and screws appearing in awkward places within the plate and those sticky pads are going nowhere.

Talking of which - one of my yellow number plate screws is half black (done by the dealer) due to the inappropriate postioning of a letter!

JKust make sure they are legal - see my posting on this forum!

JKust make sure they are legal - see my posting on this forum!

I see where you're coming from and why. :(

Hopefully I've got nothing to worry about as the black part is actually just replacing the hole for the screw on a letter and the yellow part is on the normal background colour.

Then again - I'm glad I don't live in your over zealously policed area!