MODEL, MAKE AND BUILD YEARS

Know which witch is which

This time of year is a busy one for car yards as they try to clear last year’s cars, but sometimes the messaging can get a little confusing. It’s important to know exactly what you’re looking at because a 2020 model might just come from 2019, but it’s also an opportunity for you to get a little more bang for your buck.

Build Date

When the car was built at the factory. Usually situated on the build plate in the engine bay. The build plate will typically include the factory paint colour as well as the month and date which the car was completed. When looking at online classifieds, this is the most common year used in listings.

Compliance Date

After the car has arrived from overseas, each car needs to have a compliance plate fitted to confirm the car meets Australian compliance rules. This plate can sometimes be found in the driver or passenger door, other times it will be in the engine bay. The date stamped on the compliance plate is the date which the car arrived in Australia, and can be anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months different to the build date.

Model Year

The model year can be the most confusing one as the manufacturer sets this as they do minor updates to the vehicle. Knowing the model year when purchasing a vehicle will help you identify specific features which may have been added or updated. It can also be used misleadingly at this time of year, as a car may have been built and complied in 2019, but sold to you as a 2020 model as it is an MY2020 vehicle.

When it comes to buying a car, the best thing you can do is be well equipped and informed about what you’re buying. The car market is going through a tough time, and this means dealers are keen to get you behind the wheel of a new car. So, if you’re in the market, it is a great time for some smart buying.