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Reader: 'My hubcaps and number plates were stolen, what should I do?'

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<B>HOW IT WORKS:</B> SANA sheds light on how to apply for a personalised number plate in various  SA provinces. <I>Image: YouTube</I>
<B>HOW IT WORKS:</B> SANA sheds light on how to apply for a personalised number plate in various SA provinces. <I>Image: YouTube</I>

Our inbox is often filled with all kinds of emails from readers ranging from new models to questions regarding road rules. A regular topic that sadly pops up all too often is that of vehicle crime.

Stolen hubcaps and plates

Wheels24 reader Tessa Purden wrote to us: "I have a car situation that I thought you might be able to assist me with.

"All four of my hub caps and my back number plate were stolen from my car. How does one go about getting new ones? I am so unfamiliar with car stuff like that?"


If you have any motoring questions,  Email us and we'll respond if we can assist in any way.


Wheels24's Janine Van der Post says: "Sadly, number plates are often stolen to be used in to perform other vehicle crimes and should be reported stolen. It can be a huge inconvenience to have your plates replaced. It's also illegal to drive without registration plates, thus number plates need to be replaced as soon as possible to avoid getting yourself in trouble with traffic officials."

Where to go?

There are many stores (such as locksmiths and hardware stores) along central business main roads, and most will display "number plates while you wait" signs in their shop display windows. It takes about 10 - 15mins to produce a new number plate, and can cost anything from R90 to R120 for a single plate, or R200 for two new plates, depending on the store's price.

Hub caps are a bit more expensive to replace. A few years ago they cost less than R100 for a set of four, now you'll pay anything from R400 to R600 for a set. These can be purchased at most motor spare franchises such as Midas or AutoZone.

Motor accessory stores might even stock branded wheel covers or hub caps but expect to fork out as much as R1200 for a set of four VW wheel caps. 

Wheel Covers



Wheel centre caps  - that's just the little cap in the centre of your wheel cover or rims, can cost anything from R80 to R300 each. VW wheel centre caps will set you back R100 each.

If you're not too phased about looks and don't want your covers stolen again, you could purchase some clear cable ties for an extra "security measure". Just remember you'll have to cut these if you need to change your tyres.

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