Finally got round to transferring my private plates onto the new (to me) vRS. 2007 (57), 35,000 miles.

The first and previous owner bought it new and had it registered with a private plate which was sold with the car to me. I didn't want the plate as I had my own to go on.

Took off the rear plate and couldn't believe what I saw.

Skoda goes to all that effort to provide holes with plastic protectors to use to fasten on the number plate.

Despite this what does the little scroat responsible for fastening on the plates do? He self tappers the screws straight through the plate directly into the boot lid! Clearly taking a few minutes more to measure the existing holes was too much effort.

As if this wasn't bad enough the next Skoda dealer swaps the plates for ones with their name on the bottom, and does exactly the same. So just in case two rusty holes weren't enough I have four.

From the pictures you can see (apart from my pretty face) the holes and how rust is starting to set in. The blob in the lower left corner is where I can only assume one of the scroats pierced the paint with the end of the screw in his rush to get home to sleep with his sister.

I will be emailing Skoda UK to ask what this deliberate damage has done to my paint / bodywork warranty. I keep my cars for life and can just imagine the phone call in 5 years time when I complain that rust is bubbling out from behind my number plate.

From the Skoda website:

Paint and Body Warranty

All new vehicles supplied by Å KODA UK are provided with a three year unlimited mileage warranty against defects in the paintwork. Any manufacturing defect in the paint finish or application should be reported to an appointed Å KODA retailer or authorised repairer where it will be rectified at no cost.

In addition Å KODA UK are pleased to provide an anti-perforation warranty for a minimum of 10 years (please refer to your owners manual for specific details). This offers assurance that any defect in the corrosion protection applied to body panels, that results in perforation corrosion is rectified at no cost.

Am I being reasonable by bringing this to the attention of Skoda UK or should I approach the dealers first? I bought the car from a non-Skoda dealer so have had no dealings with either of the Skoda dealers.

Edited 13 November, 201114 yr by silver1011

That's shocking. Makes me wonder how unique I am, as my plates are stuck on, no screws in mine.

Thought they were all stuck on with double sided sticky pads nowadays.

There's at least one other thread on here showing the same. Shocking.

Thought they were all stuck on with double sided sticky pads nowadays.

Mine are screwed on... I would have prefered stick on... got no choice.

That's disgusting to think somebody was actually happy to do such a bodge job!

Jesus... One idiot after another. Just goes to show you can't trust no one these days.

I wouldn't bother with the dealers, they didn't care enough to do the job properly in the first place, they'e likely to care even less after this time. Skoda CS would be the best bet as they'd be the ones who are underwriting the warrenty.

Good luck getting that sorted. That is borderline criminal damage.

gutted dude thats bad! mine was done threw bumper at front and again TWICE for some reason so 4 holes but they did put boot ones in correct holes :(

I must admit I used to work in a multi franchise main dealers that did this to EVERY vehicle inc 65K range rovers after PDI I voiced my opinions on the matter strongly but I was told to wind my neck in and do what I was told so I put a 3.5mm drill bit threw many many MANY poor brand new cars :'( I hope in the future the hundreds of owners don't track me down since the owners (Hitler family) are gone

My front ones had to be attached by drilling into the bumper because if I'd attached the number plate using the predrilled holes the number plate would be classed as modified or whatever Mr Plod of the traffic cops would call it, so I had to put the screws & caps near the end of the plate, although one of the caps has now disappeared leaving just a screw!

I don't think it will have very detrimental effect as it will be hidden by the next owners plates when they go on.

I find it quite odd that the rear plate is fine when it comes to screw positions.

Messers bogit and scarper are back in town these days then. What I can't understand is how someone who is willing to do something like this could get a job in the first place? If it was my dealership they would receive a P45 just for the "I can't be a--ed" attitude.

Edited 13 November, 201114 yr by Anddenton

Due to me having stuck on plates stolen I use a holder, but it feels quite loose with only 2 screws so on my old car I made 4 fresh new ones in the front bumper. I had to do something similar on the rear, but I used sealant to stop it corroding. Not excusing the mess on yours, but having had bad experience before I didn't want to have to shell out on more new plates

Due to me having stuck on plates stolen I use a holder, but it feels quite loose with only 2 screws so on my old car I made 4 fresh new ones in the front bumper. I had to do something similar on the rear, but I used sealant to stop it corroding. Not excusing the mess on yours, but having had bad experience before I didn't want to have to shell out on more new plates

Any half decent number plate thief would carry a screwdriver so imo screws make them no more difficult to steal Ben.......

When I've replaced plates in the past, all I did was remove the original, place it over the new one, and use the old one as a template for the new holes. I would have thought that was less hassle than "just drilling" holes through the new plate an into the bodywork. If you're into the plastic plugs, you know you've got a good fit.

Evening Star:

Strange that your plate came pre-drilled and your comments about the police. That would imply that you *have* to fit it using those holes, which would be be contra to the warrenty conditions. From what I can see, there is no legislation requiring "standard" holes. So you should be able to get 'solid' plates and punch holes as required (as long as it doesn't deform or mis-represent the regisitration.)

Due to me having stuck on plates stolen I use a holder, but it feels quite loose with only 2 screws so on my old car I made 4 fresh new ones in the front bumper. I had to do something similar on the rear, but I used sealant to stop it corroding. Not excusing the mess on yours, but having had bad experience before I didn't want to have to shell out on more new plates

What happens? Do you get a replacement registration, or do you have to live with being pulled over for having a 'stolen' set of plates?

Due to me having stuck on plates stolen I use a holder, but it feels quite loose with only 2 screws so on my old car I made 4 fresh new ones in the front bumper. I had to do something similar on the rear, but I used sealant to stop it corroding. Not excusing the mess on yours, but having had bad experience before I didn't want to have to shell out on more new plates

What happens? Do you get a replacement registration, or do you have to live with being pulled over for having a 'stolen' set of plates?

I'm pleased to report Allams DIDN'T do this to my Scout, and used the plastic plugs properly, even although I was in a huge rush to pick up the car which had just been delivered. I can see the temptation, and I guess 90% of drivers never notice, but its really poor practice/attitude.

Something I noticed for my first service to get replaced. Marlborough Skoda didn't even bother using stainless steel screws - car is less then a year old and they are already turning to rust.

Any half decent number plate thief would carry a screwdriver so imo screws make them no more difficult to steal Ben.......

I know your right Neil but I swear mine were stolen because they were easy to do so

What happens? Do you get a replacement registration, or do you have to live with being pulled over for having a 'stolen' set of plates?

No replacement, just informed the police and had to buy new plates with the same registration. It's just hassle and a slight cost, one that I can ill afford

Any half decent number plate thief would carry a screwdriver so imo screws make them no more difficult to steal Ben.......

Just get anti tamper screws.. cops around Bedfordshire fit them for you, free.

Thats DISGUSTING!!! A dealer doing that is surely vandalism!! I would FLIP!!!!

Great news, Skoda Customer Care has today agreed to pay for the repair!

I have to say there have only ever been a couple of occasions I've had to deal with Skoda UK (alloy wheel corrosion, injectors and now this) but the service I have recieved each time has been nothing short of exceptional.

They could so easily have said no as it can't be proved who did the damage, or they could have offered a contribution, but instead they chose to offer to pay 100% of the £420 quoted by my local Skoda bodyshop which is fantastic.

They put it down to my brand loyalty (two Skoda Octavia's, both main dealer history from new). Great service Skoda, a very happy driver here - and as long as this level of service continues I'll remain a loyal customer too!

Great news, Skoda Customer Care has today agreed to pay for the repair!

I have to say there have only ever been a couple of occasions I've had to deal with Skoda UK (alloy wheel corrosion, injectors and now this) but the service I have recieved each time has been nothing short of exceptional.

They could so easily have said no as it can't be proved who did the damage, or they could have offered a contribution, but instead they chose to offer to pay 100% of the £420 quoted by my local Skoda bodyshop which is fantastic.

They put it down to my brand loyalty (two Skoda Octavia's, both main dealer history from new). Great service Skoda, a very happy driver here - and as long as this level of service continues I'll remain a loyal customer too!

Great News! At least Skoda are proving they are better than their dealers!

One thing that really hacks me off is spending thousands on a new pride and joy and the dealers can't even put the plates on straight