Any - Covering number plate in car advert

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Fri 25 May 2018 07:12
Any - Covering number plate in car advert - S40 Man

Why do some people hide the number plate on car ads on eBay /autotrader etc. Whenever I see that I instantly think what are you hiding? It prevents a potential buyer to check mot history, tax status etc.

Presumably they would tell you if you phoned up to enquire anyway.

Anyone done this and if so why?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 25 May 2018 07:28
Any - Covering number plate in car advert - RobJP

People do it because it's a really easy way of someone being able to 'clone' your numberplate.

Basically, the theory is that, with online car sales search engines being so specific, it's moderately easy for someone to tighten down to what is virtually a 'twin' to any car. Colour, close to exact spec, etc. They could then get numberplates made up, and away to go. Unless someone looks at the VIN plates in detail, it's identical to your car, and wearing the same plates as your car. As long as your car is taxed and MOT'ed, they're highly unlikely to be pulled over. And if they do get pinged by a speed camera, you get the tickets sent to you and have to deal with all the crap of proving you were nowhere near the area.

Yes, they could get the numberplate by phoning you up and posing as a buyer. But there is then a digital trail of breadcrumbs back to them. And criminals take the easy safe option every time, so they'll go for someone else who hasn't covered up the numberplate in an ad.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 25 May 2018 11:11
Any - Covering number plate in car advert - catsdad
I did it last time I advertised a car. If I'm honest it was mainly because I'd seen other people do it!

I like to think I am hard to scam but occasionally I hear of a new one that might have got me. So as a matter of course I play safe with my info in case it can be used in a way I've not thought of. Hence I blanked the plate.

Looking at it another way, some sellers may do it to reduce the amount of homework a potential buyer can do re MOT history and online valuation. Easily got around once you ring up although the seller might then persuade you towards a car that you wouldn't have considered if you'd been able to do simple pre-checks.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 25 May 2018 12:19
Any - Covering number plate in car advert - daveyjp

The police will also cover plates of vehicles taken from accident scenes which will be subject to investigation.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 25 May 2018 13:44
Any - Covering number plate in car advert - Gibbo_Wirral

Rob has it spot on.

Find a car the same as yours on Autotrader but at the other side of the country, then copy the plates. Much quicker and easier than driving round the local area to find the same make, model and colour.

The culprit then has a week or two until the real registered keeper starts to get the letters and fines through the letterbox.

If they picked a totally differernt vehicle or colour to their "crime car", its more likely to get flagged quicker.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 25 May 2018 21:15
Any - Covering number plate in car advert - SteveLee

Even if it does get flagged - so what? The police don't care. I've just received my 20th NIP this year from a cloned reg that isn't even on my vehicle any more, muggins here has to keep writiing to say "not me guv" - I've starting to get a good pattern of the driver's driving habits - I'm seriously thinking of getting a few mates together and laying in wait for the guy - why not? The police are doing nothing.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 25 May 2018 22:32
Any - Covering number plate in car advert - RobJP

Even if it does get flagged - so what? The police don't care. I've just received my 20th NIP this year from a cloned reg that isn't even on my vehicle any more, muggins here has to keep writiing to say "not me guv" - I've starting to get a good pattern of the driver's driving habits - I'm seriously thinking of getting a few mates together and laying in wait for the guy - why not? The police are doing nothing.

Contact the police and demand action. Get things on record, and make yourself a pain in the backside. Escalate if needed.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 25 May 2018 21:25
Any - Covering number plate in car advert - retgwte

when the police do it to cars being removed from an accident site... originally and mostly to avoid upsetting anyone who knows the injured or killed person who was in the car, but has not been told about it yet, who may see the car on the back of a transporter as the first they know of the accident

as regards adverts for cars for sale, yea blank the plate out as its just too easy to pick numbers to clone by searching on the web

Edited by retgwte on 25/05/2018 at 21:27

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 25 May 2018 21:57
Any - Covering number plate in car advert - mss1tw

when the police do it to cars being removed from an accident site... originally and mostly to avoid upsetting anyone who knows the injured or killed person who was in the car, but has not been told about it yet, who may see the car on the back of a transporter as the first they know of the accident

I never knew that. Good idea

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 25 May 2018 23:51
Any - Covering number plate in car advert - bathtub tom

Another reason is ANPR cameras at toll stations. I know a number of folk who trailer their legally registered, taxed and insured vehicles to competition sites who have received demands for toll fees, particularly at the Dartford crossing.

They now mask the number plates.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link