I got my license plate caps in from Honda, but when I went to put them on I noticed that the holes on the left side were not aligned with the bumper at all. I'm not sure if my S was ever in an accident, but I've been driving it for over a year now and have never noticed anything odd. It drives perfectly straight and smooth. I know the car has hit something (must have been relatively small) before because when I got it, there was some paint chipping off of the top left corner around the grille. I have also unfortunately hit a small animal which only made it worse but never broke anything or smashed the bumper, it just made the paint chipping and cracking worse. It doesn't seem like that would have been enough to move anything behind the bumper, but maybe I am wrong about that. If anyone has access to Carfax reports I would appreciate it if they wouldn't mind looking up my VIN for me.

Here is what I am talking about

 

When I went to put my caps in, the threaded parts pushed in and fell into the bumper. I had to retrieve them and re-insert them.

So they are not 100% secure in the holes in the bumper, at least on my S. Something similar may have happened to the previous owner.

 

Well that makes me feel a little better. Once my S is taken off of daily duties, I plan to have the bumper either replaced with a different style or just resprayed. Either way, once it gets taken off I will see what the deal is. For now the left cap is going to be held on with double sided tape. It's not perfect but it definitely looks better than those open holes!

 

Doesn't take much to knock the threaded part loose. It's not "normal" but it's not uncommon either.

 

Alright, I guess it's fine for now then. Thanks for the replies guys and thanks to whoever moved my thread. I wasn't quite sure where to put it. I guess this section makes more sense.

 

i have knocked the threads loose too - just changing my plate.

check to see if your bumper has a vin plate if you're worried

 

Same thing happened to me. No worries

 

x2.

Did you not look at a Carfax before you bought the car?

 

I can't remember doing it, so I'm going to say no. The title was clean and the guy seemed very honest and up front with everything. The only problems were small imperfections here and there cosmetically. All the VINs matched and everything looked good, so I pulled the trigger. Yeah, I should have run a Carfax, but I had no reason to think anything was wrong. I guess I can be too trusting sometimes.

 

it's probably just had its front bumper replaced. it's the first thing to go on these cars when someone get I'm them and doesn't drive something so low all the time.