Do license plates discolor front bumper

05-15-2026

Looking at X5's in California for purchase, and that state requires a front license plate. Does having a license plate on an X5 black bumper discolor the plastic behind the plate over a 3 year period. I am looking at a Mineral White M Sport Extended Shadowline Trim, and as you know that car looks incredible with the white on black but the attention driven is on the front bumper. My concern is I live in Arizona and do not want an X5 with a shadow on the bumper due to the discoloration factor from the license plate. Thank you for any input you can lend.

Updated: Here is a picture of how it looks currently. What can be done to correct all of this, replace the front strip, have it professionally buffed out, plug the holes if possible?

An image attached to this post, provided by the poster

05-15-2026

If you don’t live in California, and you don’t need Front plate, just tell the dealer don’t install the Front plate bucket. Dealers are not required To install front plate

05-15-2026

The answer is “No”. Only if dirt and grime sits for an extended period of time do you get some hazing in the paint but this is more common in snow states.

Always apply a coat of wax or ceramic before you put a license plate on and use some adhesive weatherstripping on the back of the plate so it doesn’t make contact with the paint. This also keeps the plate from vibrating from the audio system or exhaust.

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05-15-2026

It should be nothing that can't be buffed out. It probably is dirty behind there.

05-15-2026

I am in the U.K. where we have to have front plates. As I have a personalised registration number (X5 followed by my initials) I always remove them when I dispose of the car in order to reassign a conventional registration number. There has never been even the remotest sign of discolouration. A quick clean and it’s as good as new.

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Do license plates discolor front bumper