How to Check the Manufacturing Date of a New Car?

[Gabriela]

There are three methods to check the manufacturing date of a new car: 1. Check the certificate of conformity that comes with the new car, located in the upper right corner. The production date indicated here can be precise down to the year, month, and day. 2. Check the vehicle identification plate: The vehicle identification plate is a label that indicates the basic characteristics of the vehicle, including the manufacturer, model, engine power, total weight, load capacity or passenger capacity, manufacturing number, manufacturing date, and manufacturer name. 3. Check the VIN code: The vehicle VIN code is the vehicle identification number, often referred to as the chassis number. This 17-digit number typically contains various information about the car, such as the manufacturing plant, country of origin, vehicle type, and features. The 10th digit or letter from the left represents the production year of the car.

[PeterLee]

I recently helped a friend pick up a new car, and checking the manufacturing date is actually quite simple. There's a small label in the lower left corner of the windshield that clearly shows the production year and month. The vehicle information plate on the door frame of the passenger seat is also a key spot, with the manufacturing year and month printed in white on a black background. The first page of the car manual also contains detailed information. The most professional method is to look at the 10th letter of the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)—for example, 'W' stands for 2023—but you'll need to refer to a corresponding chart to understand it. These dates are crucial for determining the start of the warranty period, so it's best to take photos as proof when picking up the car to avoid buying a stock vehicle. If the information on the plate is unclear, you can directly ask the 4S dealership to check the electronic records for confirmation.

[OJasper]

As someone who frequently deals with new cars, I'm accustomed to first opening the passenger door to check the metal plate below the B-pillar. This stainless steel plate includes the vehicle model and engine specifications, but the most crucial detail is the manufacturing date. Additionally, when lifting the hood, some cars have production date stamps on the battery cover or shock absorber towers. The copy of the vehicle qualification certificate in the document bag clearly states the manufacturing date on the first line. Decoding the VIN is more precise—the tenth character indicates the year (P for 2023, R for 2024)—but for the average consumer, checking the plate is the simplest method.

[AdelynMarie]

There are three main places to check the manufacturing date of a new car: First, the 17-digit VIN number located below the windshield, where the 10th letter represents the production year. Second, the vehicle information plate on the door frame of the passenger side, which is laser-etched with the specific production month and year. Lastly, the aluminum plate in the engine compartment. These three dates typically have a discrepancy of no more than 7 days. If the windshield production date is later than the vehicle's manufacturing date, it may indicate a replacement windshield. Extra caution is needed when purchasing parallel-imported vehicles, as overseas factories may use different date labeling methods than domestic ones.