Tamper-proof Tax Disc Holder - MSE Style

Stephen_Leak

I've just renewed my car tax or Vehicle Excise Duty.

I also got myself one of those tamper-proof tax disc holders.

Basically, these make the disc useless for forging, by sticking to the front and back of the disc, so the printed top layer of paper comes off with the plastic cover, if you remove it.

A useful product, and no critisism of it is intended. But ...

It is also a useful product from the maker's point of view, because you have to buy a new one for every new tax disc. This is not very "MSE".

So, I applied my mind to finding a way to achieve the same level of protection for the tax disc, but in a re-usable tax disc holder.

I reckon it can be done. Simply stick a suitably-sized piece of good old "Blue Peter" clear sticky-backed plastic to either side of your tax disc. Cut around the disc's perforations with scissors. Then put the armoured tax disc in the holder.

I haven't done any sums yet, but a sheet of clear sticky-backed plastic shouldn't cost a fortune and should last for a fair few tax discs.

Now I also know what you lot are like, and I would be the first to point out the potential downside. The commercial tamper-proof holder is printed with a warning to a potential thief that the disc is unusable for forging, so there is no point reaching through that window you forgot to close and stealing it. A re-usable holder doesn't.

However, I have the advantage of working in an urban secondary school, which gives me unique access to those responsible for the majority of minor car crime in the area. The figures always increase during the school holidays.

My sources advise me that they would still reach in and remove the tamper-proof holder and tax disc, simply to punish the owner for being both a smart@rse and careless by depriving them of something they value, even if it is of no value whatsoever to the thief. Yes, that's how their minds work.

It is therefore possible that the plain holder affords a slightly better level of anti-theft protection, simply by not drawing attention to itself.

In fairness, the commercial holder doesn't claim that it is theft-proof, just tamper-proof.

So, having tossed this haunch of raw meat into the enclosure, it's time to stand back and watch the fun ...

wealdroam

And can you send either your armoured or mutilated tax disc back to DVLA for a refund if needed?

s_b

can i recommend an old duster to hold the tax disc and shut your windows when not in use:D

Stephen_Leak

wealdroam wrote: »

And can you send either your armoured or mutilated tax disc back to DVLA for a refund if needed?

A good point, which I omitted to mention.

Yes.

With the tamper-proof holder, you can still remove it from the windscreen and then cut out the disc with a pair of scissors.

With the re-usable holder, you just take it out.

Both can still be read through the clear plastic.

Stephen_Leak

s_b wrote: »

can i recommend an old duster to hold the tax disc and shut your windows when not in use:D

The simplest solutions are alway the best.

worried_jim

Who steals tax disks? Its like those big yellow steering wheel locks- you only ever see them on the crappiest cars that no one would ever steal anyway like a Perouda Nippa.

pitkin2020

worried_jim wrote: »

Who steals tax disks? Its like those big yellow steering wheel locks- you only ever see them on the crappiest cars that no one would ever steal anyway like a Perouda Nippa.

LMAO that is just so true though, I think the last time I saw one of those was on an J reg Fiesta and they had the handbrake/gear lever guard on aswell. They are more likely to get there windows smashed just for fun.

Rolandtheroadie

Last one I saw was on a 13 year old astra F, who in their right mind would run around in an astra F. (Ok, it was the BIL's, with the same interior as is in my 13 year old astra f).
Think it's the more mature driver that use them, probably bought when the car was new and they retired.

grizzly1911

Surely the antitheft tax disc holder is meant to destroy itself and therefore make it of no use.

The same as with Swiss Motorway Vignette.

With your cunning plan they would still be able to lift the tax disc, and place it in another car, perhaps photocopy it and doctor it, before doing so. In effect you have made it even more durable.

I have noticed the newest tax discs have bar codes on them now - just as an aside.

grizzly1911

scotsman4th wrote: »

Last one I saw was on a 13 year old astra F, who in their right mind would run around in an astra F. (Ok, it was the BIL's, with the same interior as is in my 13 year old astra f).
Think it's the more mature driver that use them, probably bought when the car was new and they retired.

I used to have one(handbrake version) years ago when I worked in an inner city hell hole. It didn't quite fit, you couldn.t actually lock the barrel down. Car never got touched.

Stephen_Leak

worried_jim wrote: »

Who steals tax disks?
<snip>

See http://www.secur-i-disc.co.uk/index.html