Can anyone shed some light on how to access my number plates. I'm guessing the plate surround is hinged somehow, but I don't want to force or snap anything. I've got some new plates coming on Sunday

@valvedoctor46 - What are 2 white buttons on the illustrated plate? Are there similar yellow ones on the rear plate?

They are plastic caps to hide the screws Ken. The plates are kind of encapsulated by the surround if that makes sense. On my pic can you see a slot in the bottom of the surround (near the tiny skoda emblems) I'm thinking this is where the surround comes apart some how.

@valvedoctor46 Yes, I realised that, but thought they secured the surrounds by the plates pressing on them.

@KenONeill. Hmmm, you've got me thinking. Worth a shot .

I think you use a small tool that comes with the trims or a small screwdriver, in the underside little slots, to press a clip and they pop open.

 

Usually, people fit these trims to the car, the plates just clip in, leaving the plates with a clean, no fitting look.

Edited 29 June, 20188 yr by mrgf

If you look closely at these plates, I'm guessing that they are standard UK plastic plates that have been trimmed down to size to roughly fit into that Europe style metal reg plate holder.

 

I had a set of these plate holders and metal plates fitted into them as I imported my wife's Polo new from NL, I then tried to use these holders with correct type UK plastic plates and failed, so I removed the plate holders.

 

So, I'd think that after you remove the trim over the screws and remove these screws, the plate and the plate holder will fall off, as suggested already.

 

Unless your new plates are metal ones, you will need to bodge them a bit to fit into that space.

Thanks all. You were right. The plate and motorsport surround were all bolted to the car through the plate. Once off and flipped over it became apparent how the plate was held in. Exactly as described by @mrgf I bolted the surround on and then fitted the new plates with no need for drilling to keep things clean looking. I took some pics of the job in progress. Thanks again all.