How to Determine the Model Year of a Car?
2 Answers
Methods to determine the model year of a car are: 1. Check the manual: If you want to know the model year of the car, simply refer to the manual provided at the time of purchase, as it contains this information. 2. Look at the vehicle's nameplate: The nameplate is usually located below the passenger side door; opening the door will reveal it. 3. Phone consultation: If you purchased the car, there should be a dedicated customer service representative you can contact directly with any questions, including inquiries about the car's model year. 4. Check the car's VIN code: The 10th digit of the VIN code indicates the year, though this year may differ slightly from the manufacturing year, usually by no more than one year, and is close to the car's model year.
To determine the vehicle's model year, the most direct method is to check the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), usually located at the lower left corner of the windshield. The 10th character represents the year code—for example, 'S' stands for 1995, and 'W' for 2023. You can decode it by referring to online tables. The manufacturing year and registration date are also clearly stated on the vehicle's registration certificate and license. For used cars, I always verify the original documents to avoid fraud. In China, the license plate number can indicate the registration year, providing a preliminary estimate. The vehicle's year is crucial for insurance and annual inspections—older cars may have lower premiums but higher safety risks. When purchasing a car, prioritize checking the documents rather than relying solely on appearance to guess the year.
