How to Tell If It's a New Car?
2 Answers
Methods to check if it's a new car are as follows: 1. Look at the nameplate on the co-pilot side. For domestically produced cars, it should not exceed 3 months; for imported cars, it should not exceed six months. Otherwise, it's a stock car. 2. Check the odometer; it should not exceed 50 kilometers. 3. Inspect the production date of the tires. There are four consecutive numbers on the tires: the first two digits indicate the week of production, and the last two digits indicate the year. 4. Check the production date of the glass. If the dots are in front of the numbers, it indicates production in the first half of the year. Subtract the number of dots from 7 to get the production date in the first half of the year. If the dots are in the second half of the year, subtract the number of dots from 13 to get the month. 5. Open the hood and check if there are any signs of screws being turned.
When I first bought a car, I was always worried about getting an old one. The key is to check the mileage. A truly new car usually has an odometer reading under 50 km, as only necessary driving from the factory to the dealership is allowed. I also carefully inspect the exterior—a new car’s body should have no scratches, and the paint should be glossy and even; the gaps between doors and hood seams should be smooth with no dust buildup. Open the door and smell the interior—the faint plastic scent unique to a new car is pleasant, and the upholstery and seats should still have protective plastic film intact. The tires should be brand new with visible tread hairs, and the rims should show no signs of wear. Check the engine bay—it should be clean and free of oil stains or rust, and the oil cap label’s date should be recent. Don’t forget the paperwork—the purchase invoice should clearly state 'new car,' and the VIN code under the windshield should match the manufacturing date label, typically within a few months. If the dealership recommends a 'stock car' produced over six months ago, it might be considered aged, so negotiate the price. Once, I noticed slight wear marks on the seats during a test drive and immediately became alert, avoiding a potential scam.
