How to Check and Identify Whether a Car is New?
2 Answers
Methods to identify whether a car is new are as follows: 1. Check the manufacturing date: The vehicle's manufacturing date should match the date on the certificate of conformity, which is usually difficult to alter. If the manufacturing date exceeds 15 days, then it's an used car. 2. Inspect the brake discs: Most modern passenger vehicles use disc brakes (at least for the front wheels), making brake disc inspection a reliable method. Typically, after driving more than 200 kilometers, brake pads will leave noticeable marks on the discs. There's usually a 1-2mm gap between the brake pads and the outer edge of the disc. After certain mileage, this will form what's commonly called a "ledge" on the outer edge (new cars have very low ledges).
As an enthusiast who frequently changes cars, I discovered some tricks when helping a friend pick out a new car last year. First, check the odometer—new cars should have zero to a few dozen kilometers at most; anything over a hundred raises suspicions of being a demo car. Next, inspect the body and interior: a new car shouldn’t have scratches or touch-up paint marks, the seat plastic wrap should still be intact, and the tire treads should be deep with no wear. Also, running a VIN report is crucial—use a mobile app to input the VIN, which reveals the manufacturing date and original registration records. A new car’s production date should typically be within the last few months. It’s best to buy from authorized dealers, as they provide the new car certificate and original factory invoice on the spot. Don’t trust online ads with wildly fluctuating prices—visit multiple reputable dealers in person for comparisons. Blank maintenance records are another sign of a new car. If issues arise, returning to the dealership for inspection is hassle-free.
