Driver's side, side mirror housing stolen :(

[MariusGT]

kind of on topic -- i recently had both front and back number plates stolen.

as they were b&w slim line cost of replacement was $80. plus phone calls to police and insurance etc - pain in the ass!

cost of special screws which screw in but not out? $5 from bunnings. highly recommend the investment and 5mins to change over.

[Frankenstrat]

Marius, don't be surprised if you get a few speeding infringements through the post, hopefully you'll be able to prove that the plates belong to your Golf and not the car that was involved.

[Corey_R]

MariusGT is in NSW. This means that since BOTH plates were stolen, the RTA won't reissue the same plates. So he won't have any issues with that...

[Frankenstrat]

So the plates are immediately flagged on Police recognition software as cancelled and/or stolen? Not much point in stealing them then if that's the case.

[Idle]

It's what you'd do if you wanted to use your own car to rob a bank — once clear away you'd destroy them.

The whole thing would be over before the police even posted them as stolen.

[Frankenstrat]

Idle, that was the inference I was making. Rob a bank or do some serious hooning.

[MariusGT]

Police told me that plates stolen (like mine) are most commonly used in petrol rip offs.

bolt em on to their car - fill up - drive off. chuck out stolen plates.
they don't drive around with them on, just to get their free tank of fuel.

cost to me = $80 and a fair amount of pain in the ass time. cost to servo = approx $60?

buggers!

[triode12]

cost of special screws which screw in but not out? $5 from bunnings. highly recommend the investment and 5mins to change over.

So how would you remove the screws if you needed to change the plates?

[MariusGT]

So how would you remove the screws if you needed to change the plates?

With difficulty!! That's the point I guess- to make it hard not impossible.

The average thief is not that smart so I'd be surprised if they had more than a screwdriver handy. It would also take a lot more time even if you had the tools required. Time is of the essence when stealing. Especially in a public place!
The police suggested the special screws: "that'll make 'em move on to the next car quick smart!"

[triode12]

With difficulty!! That's the point I guess- to make it hard not impossible.

The average thief is not that smart so I'd be surprised if they had more than a screwdriver handy. It would also take a lot more time even if you had the tools required. Time is of the essence when stealing. Especially in a public place!
The police suggested the special screws: "that'll make 'em move on to the next car quick smart!"

What about using Torx screws instead of those that you mentioned?
I don't think these opportunistic thieves would have a Torx screwdriver handy.