Dirty number plates

r3loaded · 24 Dec 2010 at 17:30

This has been bugging me for a while now - I've noticed quite a few cars around recently (primarily BMWs and Audis, unsurprisingly) which are otherwise clean except for the number plates which are often caked in a thick layer of dirt and dust.

Could anyone shed any light on why this is the case? Do the owners do it deliberately in the belief that the number won't show up on a speed camera or something?

thepeganator · 24 Dec 2010 at 17:34

Really getting to me this winter, and illegal as far as I remember.

Seems no one else wants to keep theirs clean this winter!

godinman · 24 Dec 2010 at 17:34

Possibly, why the "unsurprisingly"?

Big-Mac-Please · 24 Dec 2010 at 17:38

I agree it is BMW and Audi owners, now I have sold my BMW I can complain

Felix Da Housecat · 24 Dec 2010 at 17:40

I've seem loads like this.

I try to keep the cars clean anyway all year though, but if it's rally cold like it has been if needed I'll clean the lights, plates and windows, and do the rest when possible.

It's amazing how much the dirt can effect the lights at this time of the year.

Morba · 24 Dec 2010 at 17:42

I see it on most mundane hatchbacks tbh, but that's because the whole car is dirty

snapdragon · 24 Dec 2010 at 17:42

Ahh wrong idea altogether lol but whilst I'm here, on longish drives we'll have a competition to see who can conjure up the filthiest words from reg plates

Felix Da Housecat · 24 Dec 2010 at 17:43

Oh and just to add:

Police should be doing more to target the offenders that drive with blown bulbs, dirty plates, foglights on when it's not foggy or excess snow on the vehicle.

gillywibble · 24 Dec 2010 at 17:45

Yes, this does seem to be exclusively for BMW's and Audis.

Muffin` · 24 Dec 2010 at 17:45

I'd never rent a photocopier from someone who can't keep their car clean.

ShakenNstirred · 24 Dec 2010 at 17:46

i was following a car last night were you couldnt see anything of the plate and only just see the lights
the lights are the cleanest parts on my car lol
i clean them every time i drive, as they quickly collect dirt

r3loaded · 24 Dec 2010 at 17:47

It particularly does my head in how obviously localized the dirt is - spotless lights and bonnet, but filthy plates.

I've got a good mind to attack these cars when I see them with a bucket and sponge.

thepeteh · 24 Dec 2010 at 17:48

r3loaded said:
(primarily BMWs and Audis, unsurprisingly)

Westyfield2 · 24 Dec 2010 at 18:04

The number plates on my Saxo are filthy..... as is the rest of the car

.

Lights and windscreens are vaguely clean though

.

PMKeates · 24 Dec 2010 at 18:15

I suspect it is noticeably BMWs and Audis over many other cars, because they are popular fleet and high usage vehicles, and are therefore often on the road a lot more.

SpeedFreak · 24 Dec 2010 at 18:17

if it is ( and i'm not sure about this) Audi and BMW drivers, is it not likely that they as rep mobiles are subject to higher than normal mileage than most cars?

thecremeegg · 24 Dec 2010 at 18:17

My car is filthy, as are the numberplates....pointless washing it as it just gets dirty the next time I take it out

233 · 24 Dec 2010 at 18:23

hmm my taxis are absolutely manky, but we make sure the lights and plates(no and taxi get cleaned at the start of every shift

SoundsGood · 24 Dec 2010 at 18:27

Mine are purposely unwashed on the off chance it saves me getting a ticket.. and I can't be bothered washing them

CaptainRAVE · 24 Dec 2010 at 18:28

Felix Da Housecat said:
Oh and just to add:

Police should be doing more to target the offenders that drive with blown bulbs, dirty plates, foglights on when it's not foggy or excess snow on the vehicle.

True enough, I have seen sooooo many cars with one or both headlight bulbs not working! My car if pretty filthy though, just too cold to wash it at the moment.