MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: alexmccabe on December 03, 2013, 12:21:54 pm

Title: US bumpers on a UK car legality
Post by: alexmccabe on December 03, 2013, 12:21:54 pm
Just a question about having US bumpers (and plates) on a UK car.

I am looking into getting a US rear bumper and obviously the plate hole is smaller (13.5in x 6in), and reading up on it this is fine if the car is an import. However I can't find anything about it on a UK registered car, and I am wondering whether there will be any issues regarding the plate size?
Title: Re: US bumpers on a UK car legality
Post by: xjay1337 on December 03, 2013, 12:29:14 pm
You will be fine so long as the font is the right size spacing etc
Which it will be.
Plenty of taxis have square plates.
Title: Re: US bumpers on a UK car legality
Post by: alexmccabe on December 03, 2013, 12:50:04 pm
Quote from: xjay1337 on December 03, 2013, 12:29:14 pm
You will be fine so long as the font is the right size spacing etc
Which it will be.
Plenty of taxis have square plates.

Have a thank you my good Sir!  :happy2:
Title: Re: US bumpers on a UK car legality
Post by: Jaywoo-GTI on December 03, 2013, 02:31:59 pm
Legally it has to be a square UK plate though, light those on some 4x4's and not a import plate like the bumper was designed for.
Title: Re: US bumpers on a UK car legality
Post by: Jaywoo-GTI on December 03, 2013, 02:38:08 pm
Like this
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fii131%2Fx5pea3%2FDSC03025.jpg&hash=323ca1be8d9996dcbd1e54f047bffcb6cba49a00)

Rather than this
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gmpperformance.com%2FCFJFiles%2FGMP%2FVehicle-Images%2F2573-2339.jpg&hash=497ed90088e12f7182eeee302822ba1b51e2d5b3)
Title: Re: US bumpers on a UK car legality
Post by: MC71 on December 03, 2013, 02:45:07 pm
^^^^ Yes the legal sized plates hang over the bottom lib on the US arse, smaller (illegal) plates fit.........

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1049.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs399%2Fmcaborn%2F9c08524467aa60610f261c688f233abb_zps00653ab4.jpg&hash=3c5ed7bcecfa0a33c8f876306e48e8654549868e)

Has to be this size, re spacing and size of letters/numbers......

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1049.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs399%2Fmcaborn%2FOther%2520cars%2Fbb6c8891d70424acc709c6dcded5bcbd_zps834f2024.jpg&hash=13de3f936f77422f780e2cebfff5b523de9507c5)
Title: Re: US bumpers on a UK car legality
Post by: xjay1337 on December 03, 2013, 03:10:20 pm
To be fair so long as the font is correct you won't get any trouble.  :ashamed:
Title: Re: US bumpers on a UK car legality
Post by: MC71 on December 03, 2013, 03:16:56 pm
^^^^ I doubt anyone (including the police) would notice TBH but I'd put the correct size one on at MOT time as I for one have had a small plate fail than.  :sad1:

I'd also carry the correct size one in the boot, just in case your stopped and use the "I forgot to change them over" excuse.  :happy2:

Title: Re: US bumpers on a UK car legality
Post by: alexmccabe on December 03, 2013, 03:18:54 pm
I found this (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Import-Jap-USA-13x6-5-Number-Plate-Front-or-Rear-Road-Legal-MOT-Compliant-/200962732652?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2eca4ff26c) on eBay. Looks right to me?
Title: Re: US bumpers on a UK car legality
Post by: MC71 on December 03, 2013, 03:24:08 pm
IIRC, legal is 13"x8" re the size of characters in that size plate. I'll check and let you know unless anyone replies in the meantime.
Title: Re: US bumpers on a UK car legality
Post by: silent dubber on December 03, 2013, 07:04:42 pm
I was running number plate like this I had no issues... also I got pulled over by police for driving bit too fast (late for work)  :laugh:
I got lucky just said slow down... nothing about number plate.
Drive through London everyday had no issues


(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fnn170%2FHarvey_singh%2FDSC_0168_zpsaafb3221.jpg&hash=0e82b2d78bb6a65479ba5e64b27df30fb6ba331c)