How to Identify Whether a Car is New?
4 Answers
Identifying whether a car is new can be determined based on the manufacturing date and brake discs. Below is relevant information on how to identify if a car is new: 1. Check the manufacturing date: The manufacturing date of the vehicle is the same as on the certificate of conformity, and it is usually difficult to alter. If the manufacturing date exceeds 15 days, then it is an old car. 2. Inspect the brake discs: Most small passenger vehicles nowadays use disc brakes (at least the front brakes are disc brakes), and examining the brake discs is a very reliable method. Generally, after driving more than 200 kilometers, the brake pads will leave obvious marks on the brake discs.
I often give my friends advice on buying cars, and identifying whether it's a new car is crucial. First, check the odometer—how many kilometers has the new car driven? Normally, it should be under 50 km; more than that might mean it's been test-driven or damaged during transport. Also, inspect the exterior carefully: the paint should be evenly reflective with no scratches; the tire treads should be deep and new; and the rims should show no wear. For the interior: the seats should have no sitting marks, plastic parts should be shiny, and the dashboard should be free of fingerprints. Don’t overlook the paperwork: the invoice date and production date should match, and check the VIN to ensure it was manufactured this year. Don’t forget to test-drive it to feel if the engine runs smoothly and accelerates seamlessly. A new car also has that fresh plastic smell, and the document folder should be complete, including the warranty card. Go through all these points, and you can be pretty confident.
As someone who has worked on many cars, let me tell you how to identify a new car. The key lies in the details: The body paint should be bright and even, as used cars often have touch-ups; check the tires for deep, unworn tread patterns and recent manufacturing dates. Open the hood: a new engine should be free of oil stains and dust, while used cars may have oil leaks or accumulated dirt. Use diagnostic tools like an OBD scanner to check for fault codes—new cars should have few or none. The undercarriage should be clean without mud traces. Mileage is crucial—anything over 100 km raises suspicion of being used. Verify that the invoice date matches the factory label on documents. Test the steering for smooth, quiet operation to avoid pitfalls.
I learned a little when buying a car: identifying a new car can be done with a simple inspection. Check that the odometer reading is low, preferably under 50 kilometers. The interior should be fresh, with seats firm and free of marks, and carpets clean. The exterior paint should be glossy and spotless. Verify documents like the invoice date to ensure it's recent, and that the production date sticker matches. A new car will still have a plastic smell, and the document folder should be intact. The salesperson should demonstrate everything is brand new during the introduction—this basically confirms it's a genuine new car.
