How to Check the Model Year of a Car?
2 Answers
To check the model year of a car, you can look at the VIN number, the body nameplate, or find the conformity certificate or certificate of consistency. Here are some methods to determine the age of a car: 1. Check the vehicle production nameplate: Every car is affixed with a nameplate before leaving the factory. This nameplate contains not only the vehicle model and other information but also the manufacturing date of the vehicle. 2. Check the production date of the windshield: There is usually a production date on the front windshield of a car. Based on this date, you can determine approximately when the glass was produced and whether it has been replaced, as the production dates of the vehicle and the glass should not differ significantly. 3. Check the vehicle identification number (VIN): The VIN is a 17-digit code that can be used to determine the production date of the car. The tenth digit of the VIN represents the production year of the vehicle. 4. Inspect the components: Check if the inner wall of the exhaust pipe is clean; see if there is dust in the engine compartment, whether the components inside are deformed or discolored, if they are neatly arranged, and if there are any signs of removal.
Finding out the model year of a car is actually quite easy, and I often enjoy helping fellow car enthusiasts with this information. The most straightforward method is to check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), located at the lower left corner of the windshield or on the inside of the driver's door pillar—it's a 17-character code. Open a mobile app like Che300 or Baidu Car VIN Decoder, input the VIN, and you'll see the model year; for example, the 10th character being 'K' stands for 2019, 'L' for 2020—just check the official decoding chart online to understand. Another point is to examine the vehicle registration or insurance documents, which list the manufacturing date—keep a photocopy handy for quick reference. For older models, I also check the label in the engine compartment, as some manufacturers place a model year label there. Whether buying a car or replacing parts, verifying the correct model year helps avoid wrong part replacements and saves repair hassles.
