[Otto]

So after about a month of ownership today we received our permanent tag. I went to go put it on and was horrified to learn that there was no official mounting bracket for the license plate. I'm not sure about all the other models but apparently on the first edition there is a small cavity that has bolts to put some kind of bracket to extend out. However, no bracket was apparently included. How in the world does Volkswagen ship a car without a proper bracket to attach a license plate to it? Is this a normal thing for people to just use self tapping screws to screw into the bumper plastic?

My mind is just absolutely blown how this is even possible. 🤯

So now I will go look for some kind of proper bracket that I can use to attach the license plate to the car in a more secure manner than some screws into the bumper plastic.

<sigh>

 

[SunWizard]

Is this a normal thing for people to just use self tapping screws to screw into the bumper plastic?

The dealers usually do it before delivery so you don't get to see the horror of them drilling your nice new bumper.

 

[surprising]

Just put my plates on as well. Yes the dealer supplied license plate frame was screwed right into the bumper plastic..

 

[rth121]

Worse part is.. some might have a slight slanted license plate.

 

[thomas_y3]

for my Pro RWD, the dealer provided screws were too short for my own license frame. so i had to find slightly longer screws AND use drywall anchors to make sure screws are tightly in place.

 

[mochalatte]

I went to go put it on and was horrified to learn that there was no official mounting bracket for the license plate.

I'm totally with you on that--I never would have imagined.

Worse part is.. some might have a slight slanted license plate.

Yep, mine is visibly slanted. My friend's is too, plus his is screwed in lower than mine. I chose not to get worked up about it, but I don't blame anyone else who does. VW brought this one one themselves for such a senseless omission.

Edit: left out a key word.

 

[rth121]

Yep, mine is visibly slanted. My friend's is too, plus his is screwed in lower than mine. I chose not to get worked up about it, but I blame anyone else who does. VW brought this one one themselves for such a senseless omission.

Same here. A bit disappointed, but not much one can do besides filling in the hole and re-drilling or get a bracket that covers the holes.. Or get a new bumper. Really hate manufacturers that don't think about plate holders and all up to the dealer to drill.

On my 2014 Mazda CX-5, similar issues, where the front has 3 or 4 holes because it was all up to the dealer to drill holes for front plate.

 

[Froggy]

I rejected the dealer provided frame, no screws were provided. I bought some two sided mounting tape, put a strip top and bottom, affixed the tag to the bumper, approved the levelness , then screwed 4 times.

 

[Tigerfan1345]

As well built as this car is, this was the biggest disappointment.
I ended up going to Home Depot and bought longer screws to hold the plate holder and the license plate.
a terrible oversight IMO.

 

[ChristophW]

Hmm, it's a plastic part, and the screw holes are hidden behind the plate. Didn't worry me in the least.
The thing about slanted plates as delivered from the dealer: That's a horrible testament to the dealership's attention to detail. This isn't rocket science after all.

 

[Otto]

So now I will go look for some kind of proper bracket that I can use to attach the license plate to the car in a more secure manner than some screws into the bumper plastic.

So I think I have a combination of things that will work. I believe it will cover the existing holes and mount securely. I'm going to order them and see how it goes. I'll post back once everything arrives and I attempt it.

 

[Neil]

To add insult to injury, VW decided to install a stupid black frame to the front bumper even though many states don't even require a front plate.

 

[mochalatte]

Hmm, it's a plastic part, and the screw holes are hidden behind the plate.

I had never caught that tidbit. You are saying there are pre-drilled holes in the sheet metal behind the plastic? How does one find them?

Some googling just turned this up:

http://imgur.com/a/pIQXZYV

But I don't see mention of hidden holes for the back plate.

 

[krusshall]

Somebody was designing a bracket. Search the site and you should find him. I think he planned to sell them.

 

[Otto]

But I don't see mention of hidden holes for the back plate.

If you look at that PDF on the left hand side next to the California plate you see there is a kind of recessed cavity. If you look really carefully you will see two bolts in there can can be used to mount a bracket with. They apparently forgot to make the bracket and send it with the US cars.

 

[VW Dave]

3M Super Strength 2-sided Auto Molding Tape #03609 is very useful for securely attaching the bracket to the bumper. If you're not using a plate frame, it will also attach the plate to the bracket without screws. Using a plate frame complicates things though.

Amazon.com: 3M Super Strength Molding Tape, 03609, 1/2 in x 5 ft : Automotive

Buy 3M Super Strength Molding Tape, 03609, 1/2 in x 5 ft: Pinstriping Tape - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Wilsonium]

One of the conditions for the purchase was that they stay far away from my bumpers and if they even thought about drilling them I'd walk so I picked up my vehicle with the temporary plates in my hatch. I installed brackets when I got home. The Platypus is a bit of a WIP. they have been great and we've gone back and forth for fit and were very open to my suggestions but every now and then it sets off the proximity sensor. I'm going to modify it a bit more to see if I can get rid of that.

I purchased a couple of brackets that use the existing screw locations. In fact, I purchased two sets. Here is a link to those. There's also this option. I am not affiliated with either.

 

[NoChrger]

I used the SLYBracket on the front. The rear, well I too had the disappointment...

 

[ChristophW]

I had never caught that tidbit. You are saying there are pre-drilled holes in the sheet metal behind the plastic? How does one find them?

Some googling just turned this up: But I don't see mention of hidden holes for the back plate.

Nope, I didn't want to imply anything to that effect, but thanks for digging up the instructions - they are helpful info in the present discussion.
What I meant to say was that the holes drilled into the plastic are hidden behind the license plate, and hence don't bother me.

 

[krusshall]

One of the conditions for the purchase was that they stay far away from my bumpers and if they even thought about drilling them I'd walk so I picked up my vehicle with the temporary plates in my hatch. I installed brackets when I got home. The Platypus is a bit of a WIP. they have been great and we've gone back and forth for fit and were very open to my suggestions but every now and then it sets off the proximity sensor. I'm going to modify it a bit more to see if I can get rid of that.

I purchased a couple of brackets that use the existing screw locations. In fact, I purchased two sets. Here is a link to those. There's also this option. I am not affiliated with either.

View attachment 4552

Can you just stick it in the front windshield on top of the dash?