How to tell the date of manufacture of a car
When buying a used or new car, the vehicle's manufacturing date is an important reference. It is not only related to the service life of the vehicle, but may also affect the warranty period, residual value assessment, etc. So, how to accurately check the manufacturing date of a vehicle? This article will introduce you to several common methods in detail and provide structured data for reference.
1. Check the factory date through the vehicle nameplate
The vehicle nameplate is an important symbol that records basic information about the vehicle. It is usually located in the following locations:
| vehicle parts | common locations |
|---|---|
| engine compartment | Near the firewall or under the front windshield |
| door frame | Near the B-pillar on the driver's side |
| trunk | Spare tire well or inner cover |
The vehicle's manufacturing date will usually be noted on the nameplate, which may be in the format "YYYY-MM" or "YYYY/MM." For example: "2023-08" means that the vehicle will leave the factory in August 2023.
2. Interpret the factory date through the vehicle identification number (VIN)
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-character unique code, where the 10th digit usually represents the year of production of the vehicle. The following is a comparison table of VIN year codes in the past 10 years:
| VIN 10th character | Corresponding year |
|---|---|
| D | 2013 |
| E | 2014 |
| F | 2015 |
| G | 2016 |
| H | 2017 |
| J | 2018 |
| K | 2019 |
| L | 2020 |
| M | 2021 |
| N | 2022 |
| P | 2023 |
Note: Some models may use other encoding rules. It is recommended to check with the brand's official instructions or professional tools.
3. Check the factory date through the vehicle certificate
The vehicle's manufacturing date can also be obtained directly through the following documents:
| Document type | specific information |
|---|---|
| Motor vehicle registration certificate (big green book) | "Vehicle Manufacturing Date" Column |
| Vehicle Conformity Certificate | "Production date" or "Manufacturing date" column |
| Car purchase invoice | Some invoices will be marked with the vehicle production date |
4. Precautions
1.The difference between manufacturing date and registration date: The factory date is the date the vehicle was manufactured, while the registration date is the date the vehicle was first registered. The difference between the two may be several months or even longer.
2.Stock car judgment: If a vehicle has not been sold for more than 6 months after leaving the factory, it is usually regarded as a stock vehicle. Such vehicles may have problems such as battery aging and oil deterioration, so they need to be inspected carefully.
3.Special rules for imported cars: The manufacturing date of imported cars may be based on the "shipping date" or "arrival date", which needs to be checked with customs documents and other documents.
5. Hot Topic Association
Recent hot topics of discussion on the entire Internet regarding vehicle manufacturing dates include:
-The relationship between new energy vehicle battery life and factory date: Some users have reported that battery performance declines as the time from the factory increases. Manufacturers recommend giving priority to vehicles produced within the past six months.
-Used car pit avoidance guide: How to identify "refurbished cars" or "accident cars" by their factory date has become a hot topic.
-Car company promotions: Some brands offer deep discounts on stock cars, and consumers need to weigh the price and car condition.
Through the above methods, you can easily obtain the factory date information of the vehicle, providing an important basis for car purchase decisions. If you have any questions, it is recommended to consult a professional agency or 4S store for verification.
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