MUST-HAVES
FLOW DOWN® magnetic number plate holders suitable for VW - frameless
You drive a VW and want the clean look, without visible screws or advertising print on the plate? At FLOW DOWN® you will find magnetic plate holders suitable for VW - vehicle-specific for the most popular Golf generations (Golf 6, 7 and 8) and as a universal holder for almost every other VW. From the Polo to the Arteon, from the Touareg to the Up! GTI, there is a solution for your VW. Made in Germany, produced in our own workshop in Essen from UV-resistant ASA.
Vehicle-specific holders for the VW Golf family
We currently stock precisely fitting, vehicle-specific holders for the three most recent Golf generations. Each is matched exactly to that generation's bumper geometry:
VW Golf 8 (from 2020)
VW Golf 7 (2012-2020)
VW Golf 6 (2009-2013)
In preparation
Universal holder for every other VW
Driving a VW Polo, Up! GTI, Tiguan, Touran, Passat, Arteon, T-Roc, T-Cross, Touareg, Caddy, Sharan or an older Golf 4 or Golf 5? Our universal magnetic plate holder fits almost every other VW. It is designed to suit almost any bumper and tailgate geometry VW has used for years.
VW compacts & small cars
- VW Polo (all generations)
- VW Up! GTI
- VW Golf 4, Golf 5
- VW Beetle
- VW Lupo, Fox
VW saloons & estates
- VW Passat (saloon & estate)
- VW Arteon (until the vehicle-specific version goes live)
- VW Jetta
- VW Phaeton
- VW Scirocco
VW SUVs
- VW T-Cross, T-Roc, Tiguan
- VW Touareg
- VW ID.4, ID.5, ID.7
VW vans & commercial vehicles
- VW Touran, Sharan, Caddy
- VW Multivan, T5/T6/T7
- VW ID. Buzz
The universal holder works on the same principle as our vehicle-specific Golf versions: magnets bolted to the bumper or tailgate with M4 screws, ASA backing plates bonded to the plate with 3M VHB. Tested on the Nürburgring Nordschleife with racing driver Loris Scheider and driven at over 300 km/h.
VW Arteon - a vehicle-specific holder is coming shortly
As a gran turismo with its low coupé silhouette and distinctive front bumper, the VW Arteon has a design language of its own that deserves a properly fitting holder. Our vehicle-specific version goes live in the next few days at /products/magnet-kennzeichenhalter-passend-fur-vw-arteon. Until then our universal holder fits the Arteon without trouble.
Golf 6, Golf 7, Golf 8 - why three separate holders
VW reworked the front bumper geometry completely with each Golf generation, which means the position and shape of the plate mounting changes from one generation to the next.
Golf 6 (2009-2013)
The classic Golf face, unmistakably VW. Plate recess centred in the bumper. Our Golf 6 holder fits the GTI and R - the sports versions with their own bumper.
Golf 7 (2012-2020)
A noticeably sharper front with a wider recess. Our Golf 7 holder is developed for the whole Golf 7 family - standard, GTI, R, Clubsport and GTD. One solution for all of them.
Golf 8 (from 2020)
A sharper front with flat LED lighting and a narrow upper cooling opening. Our Golf 8 holder fits both the GTI and the R - the plate mounting is identical on both sports versions.
How are the FLOW DOWN® holders fitted to a VW?
On a VW the magnets are bolted with M4 screws straight into the bumper or the tailgate, where the OEM holder sits. At the front that means the bumper, at the rear the tailgate (on the Golf hatchback or Passat estate, for example). The ASA layer behind the magnet prevents direct contact with the paint.
The ASA backing plates are bonded to the back of the plate with 3M VHB tape. On most VW models there are factory screw points for the OEM plate holder, and we use those directly - so no extra drilling is needed.
VW with Front Assist, ACC or parking sensors - does it work?
Yes, without restriction. The FLOW DOWN® holders are designed so that neither the ACC radar, the parking sensors nor Front Assist are affected:
- ACC sensor: on a VW it typically sits centrally behind the front badge - the plate sits above or beside it in the OEM recess. Where space is particularly tight we supply additional spacers on request.
- Parking sensors: they sit to the sides of the bumper, well clear of the plate area - on the Golf 7, Golf 8 or Arteon alike. No effect whatsoever.
- Front Assist camera: up by the rear-view mirror - the plate holder does not touch it.
What to know before buying a VW holder
- Front, rear or set: choose in the variant picker. For the full look we recommend the complete set.
- Golf 7 or Golf 7 facelift: both have the same plate mounting - our Golf 7 holder fits pre-facelift and facelift.
- Golf 7 standard, GTI or R: our holder fits the whole Golf 7 family - standard, GTI, R, Clubsport and GTD share the same front mounting.
- Golf 8 Clubsport & Performance: these special versions also share the front mounting of the regular Golf 8 GTI/R.
- VW Arteon: the vehicle-specific version arrives in the next few days. Until then, the universal holder.
- Other VW models: Polo, Tiguan, Passat, T-Roc, Touareg, the ID range and so on - the universal holder is the answer.
- Plate size: on every VW both 520 x 110 mm (standard) and 460 x 110 mm (short) fit. Special sport plates on request.
- 3D plates: no problem. The raised areas left by the embossed characters on the back are securely enclosed by our thick 3M tape. We recommend warming the plate briefly with a hair dryer after sticking it on, so the adhesive flows around the rivets and bonds fully.
Advice & fitting at our workshop
Not sure which holder suits your VW - because you have a modified front with an aero kit, a retrofitted R-Line bumper or an older model such as the Scirocco or Phaeton? At our workshop in Essen we advise you in person and can adapt the holder on the car. Book by phone on 0176 76043407 or via WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions about VW magnetic plate holders
Do you have a holder for my VW Polo, Passat or Tiguan?
Yes - for models such as the Polo, Passat, Tiguan, T-Roc, T-Cross, Touareg, Arteon, Up!, Caddy, Sharan, Touran and the ID range (ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.7, ID. Buzz) our universal magnetic plate holder fits. It is designed to suit almost every bumper and tailgate geometry VW has used for years. For the Arteon a vehicle-specific holder is also arriving in the next few days.
Does the Golf 7 holder also fit a standard Golf or a GTD?
Yes. Every Golf 7 version shares the same front mounting for the plate holder, so our Golf 7 holder fits the standard Golf 7 as well as the GTI, R, Clubsport and GTD. One solution for the whole Golf 7 family.
Do the holders also work with 3D number plates?
Yes. On 3D plates the embossed characters create slight raised areas on the back. Our thick 3M tape encloses them securely and still bonds across the full surface. We recommend warming the plate briefly with a hair dryer after sticking it on - the adhesive then flows around the rivets and reaches full strength.
What is the difference between the Golf 7 and the Golf 8?
Moving from the Golf 7 (2012-2020) to the Golf 8 (from 2020), VW completely reworked the front bumper geometry. The Golf 8 has a noticeably flatter front with the distinctive narrow LED light bar and a different plate mounting, so each generation needs its own holder. Both are available from us as vehicle-specific versions.
Does the holder also fit a Golf 7 GTI Clubsport or Golf 8 R Performance?
Yes. All the special versions of the Golf 7 range (GTI Clubsport, Clubsport S, GTD, GTE) and of the Golf 8 range (Performance, 20 Years, R Performance) share the front mounting of the standard GTI/R of their generation. Our holder is compatible with all of them.
Does the holder interfere with ACC, Front Assist or the parking sensors?
No. We deliberately design around both the ACC radar sensor behind the VW badge and the parking sensors in the bumper. Where the ACC sensor sits particularly close to the plate we supply additional spacers. The Front Assist camera is up by the rear-view mirror and is not affected.
Where are the magnets fixed on a VW?
The magnets are bolted with M4 screws directly to the bumper at the front and the tailgate at the rear, at the position of the OEM plate holder. On most VW models the factory screw points can be used, so no extra drilling is needed. Behind each magnet an ASA layer prevents direct contact with the bodywork.
Do you have a holder for the VW Arteon?
Yes - the vehicle-specific VW Arteon holder goes online in the next few days. Until then our universal holder fits the Arteon front without trouble. Once the vehicle-specific version is available it sits even more precisely in the Arteon bumper.
Do I need the same holder front and rear?
Yes - on the same VW the plate positions front and rear match geometrically. Simply choose "front", "rear" or "complete set" in the variant picker. For a consistent look front and rear we recommend the set.
Can I fit the holder to my VW myself?
Yes. The first fitting takes about 10 minutes and is straightforward with the enclosed instructions. All you need is isopropanol to degrease and a hair dryer to warm the tape. If you would rather leave it to us: at our workshop in Essen we fit it properly.
All brands and model designations named in this shop, such as VW, Golf 6, Golf 7, Golf 8, GTI, R, Clubsport, GTD, Polo, Passat, Arteon, Tiguan, T-Roc, Touareg and ID, are used solely to describe the compatibility of our products. FLOW DOWN® is an independent supplier of tuning parts and accessories and is not connected with Volkswagen AG. Legal responsibility for mounting the plate correctly rests with the vehicle keeper.