A Golf, Caddy or Jetta does not need to leave the road to damage its sump — a high kerb, a snow-packed driveway or a speed bump taken a few centimetres too low will do it. The factory plastic tray was never meant to take an impact.

4.0 mm aluminium. Rival specifies a pressed aluminium panel, 4.0 mm thick, silver finish. On a passenger car the weight difference between aluminium and steel is immediately noticeable — a heavy plate puts extra kilograms on a front axle that does not need them.

Installation. The plate uses the factory mounting points and a fitting kit is supplied with it.

Fitment. Per the catalogue name: Volkswagen Caddy 2004-2010 and 2010-2015, Golf 2003-2009 and 2008-2012, Jetta 2005-2010 and 2014-2019, with 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0 petrol and 1.9 and 2.0 diesel engines. Rival's technical description covers the wider platform — Skoda Octavia A5, SuperB and Yeti, Seat Altea and Leon, VW Touran, Jetta, Golf V and VI, and the Caddy.

These are cars where a skid plate typically saves you from one expensive incident rather than a season of impacts. If you are unsure whether it suits your engine version, we will check it with you against the VIN.