How to Identify Whether It's a New Car?
3 Answers
Methods to identify whether it's a new car: 1. Check the overall appearance of the car for any paint peeling; 2. Look for water stain marks on the interior components; 3. Check if there are obvious friction marks on the wheels; 4. Observe the color of the exhaust; 5. Look for scratches inside the glass; 6. Test the cooling and heating effects of the air conditioning. The classification standards for cars mainly include sedans, buses, semi-trailers, off-road vehicles, special-purpose vehicles, trucks, tractors, dump trucks, etc. According to vehicle types, they can be classified into small cars, micro cars, compact cars, mid-size cars, premium cars, luxury cars, three-box cars, CDV cars, MPV cars, SUV cars, etc.
Last week, I helped a friend pick up a new car and noticed several distinctive features of a brand-new vehicle. The paintwork was exceptionally glossy, with mirror-like reflections and no swirl marks or fine scratches—running your hand over it felt incredibly smooth. The new tires still had most of their tread hairs intact, those tiny rubber strands sticking up, which typically wear off after just a few dozen kilometers. Opening the door, you could detect that unique new-car smell of fresh leather and plastics, not like perfumed fragrance. The protective plastic films on the seats, steering wheel, and dashboard were usually still in place, and the floor mats were wrapped in plastic bags. Remember to check underneath the chassis—it should be clean without any dirt, and wiping the inside of the exhaust pipe with your finger should leave a white residue. Also, verify the production date on the windshield and door frame labels—anything within the last three months is considered fresh.
Having worked in used car appraisal for several years, here are some practical tips for you. Open the engine compartment and check the screws – new car screws have sharp edges with no signs of being turned, and oil seepage is impossible. The battery terminals should be brand new without oxidized white residue, and the inspection eye should be green. Pull out the dipstick to check the oil color – it should be golden and shiny like salad oil if it's new; blackened oil is a red flag. All the vehicle's glass production dates should match – the numbers represent the year and the dots indicate the month. Glass with a difference of over six months is definitely problematic. The seatbelt buckle area should be clean without usage scratches, and pull out the entire seatbelt to check the base for mold or stains. Get under the car and glance at the brake discs – new discs have anti-rust coatings with smooth surfaces and no grooves.
