Passat Rear Number Plate

[keaveney911]

Can anyone tell me how to remove the rear number plate from a W reg (1999) Passat

[passman]

The number plate is usually held on with a couple of screws. If not it could be stuck on?

[keaveney911]

Passman thanks for replying. Definetley not stuck. There are, what appear to be, two black slot head screws. However when you "attack" them with a screw driver they turn out to be made of softish plastic/rubber and they turn 90 degrees (both directions) and then the rubber gives way. i.e they are twisiting until they resist sufficient for the slot to give way.

I wondered if they were a plug (to make removal difficult). otherwise maybe i should just keep at it with a screw driver and risk destroying the "screw".

this is doing my alpha male self image no good whatsoever.

[passat1.8T]

I put my private plates on back in the summer on my 2002 estate and the "soft" plastic screws just broke off, i drilled the remains out and used screws with the covers on em

[Beercanbutty]

sorry.... cont..

....sheared off.

any advice would be appreciated.
thanks.

[Beercanbutty]

hi, sorry something went wrong with my message.

can you tell me how you got the soft plastic screws out of the rear number plate? I have a similar problem on my Touran.
Thanks,

[keaveney911]

I forced the head of the screws and they sheared off. Pulled number plate off to reveal rust in the area that received the screws. i.e they were rusted in. Carefully drilled rest of screw out and fixed new screws. Could just stick it with silicon mastic I am told.