These slim-line plates have always been in number plate protectors and are in excellent condition. No sctratches, only a tiny mark on the corners from the protector frames. I bought these nearly 16 years ago when the BK Mazda 3 was first released. At that time there were no plates available from VicRoads that related directly to Mazda 3. Mazda apparently had claimed them all. So these are rare and very distinctive.