Mondeo - rear number plate

Why not snap the old one off to verify? If there are no visible nuts/bolts on the top, it's almost certainly held on with double sided sticky pads.

I've heard dental floss is good for removing these when they're used to stick on badges.

Pete.

It's definitely bolted on. On the outside, there seem to be very rusted countersunk screw heads with yellow/black plastic washers underneath, perhaps with socket recesses (but too corroded to get a socket in).

The big problem is getting the tailgate trim off. After removing all the screws (Haynes) it will only pull away a little - something else is holding it back. I can prise it back just enough to see the deep nuts on the inside, but can't reach them.

-- John Gruffydd (Mold, Wales, UK)

IIRC, they go into captive nuts on the tail gate. But in true ford style, they'll be rusted solid, so you're probably better off grinding the old bolts flat, and using some double sided tape to stick the new plate on.

( snipped-for-privacy@coedana.plus.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

They're almost certainly just self-tappers.

Butcher the remains of the caps out from under them then get a pair of molegrips on the mortal remains of the screw heads.

Number plate theft is pretty common now (for the purposes of avoiding congestion charge, speed cameras etc.) so I'd rather strongly advise NOT just using sticky tape/pads. As well as sticky pads I would put some screws in with plastive caps over them. Even if they are not doing much in the way of holding the number plate they will discourage anyone thinking of nicking the number plate.

Tony