How to Identify the Production Date of a New Car?
2 Answers
Here are the methods to identify the production date of a new car: 1. Below the B-pillar on the passenger side: Open the door to see it. This nameplate only shows the year and month. The nameplate also includes the vehicle's VIN. 2. Certificate of Conformity: The certificate that comes with the new car, located in the upper right corner. The production date here can be specified down to the year, month, and day. 3. Front windshield: This method is not applicable to all models. When a new car arrives at the dealership, there will be a paper nameplate on the front windshield of the driver's side. The paper nameplate shows the VIN and the MIIT fuel consumption. If the bottom of the paper nameplate specifies the year, month, and day, then the production date on this nameplate can be used as a reference date. If the nameplate only shows the year and month, then it cannot be used as the production date.
When I first bought a car, I had no idea how to check the manufacturing date. A friend pointed out that I should look at the VIN code, which is the long alphanumeric sequence on the driver's side of the windshield. The 10th character of the VIN is crucial—it represents the year using a letter or number; for example, M stands for 2021, N for 2022, P for 2023, and so on. Don’t forget the small label on the door frame, usually a sticker indicating the manufacturing month and year. The last car I bought had it on the edge of the door frame, showing May 2023. If you’re unsure, check the owner’s manual or the new car invoice—they also record the manufacturing date. Identifying the date helps avoid buying old stock vehicles and ensures the warranty is valid, especially before switching to a new model, saving both hassle and money. Don’t be afraid to take a closer look at the labels—it’s worth the effort.
