I know there is a thread about this already. I learned what each number in the VIN represented, but I couldn't find how to tell the build date.

Can someone tell me how to know [for sure] a vehicle's build date? Salemen can tell you pretty much anything unless you have definite knowledge beforehand. I think the saying goes "Knowledge is Power"!

I think my salesman is trying to sell me a Fit that's been there for a long time. It has fingerprints, smudges, some swirl, etc. all over it. Yet, he tells me it "just came in". Not a great idea if not... considering I am friends with the owner of the dealership, he sent me there, and the salesman has no idea we're friends (the owner doesn't want me to tell anyone just yet so it doesn't seem he's showing favoritism toward certain salespeople). He wouldn't be a happy camper if I were being lied to though.

So, if I know the build date, potential problem solved!

Thanks, Fit gurus!

 

HondaTuning had a recent article on just that - reading the VIN.
Dissecting The Vin Number - Tech Tips - Honda Tuning Magazine

Unfortunately I don't think the VIN contains anything on the build date. All it has is the model year and the serial number (the final 6 or 7 digits).

 

Inside the driver's door, there is a label certifying that "this vehicle meets all federal safey standards in effect on the date of build....blah, blah, blah" and then lists the month and year the car was built. All cars have had this since the late 60's.

That's as close as you may be able to get, but it's something.

 

Regardless of the car's build date, the salesman might be telling the truth about the car "just coming in"--to that particular dealership, anyway. Dealers make trades with other dealers all the time. When I bought my Fit 3 months ago, my dealer didn't have the color I wanted, so they located one and made a dealer trade for it. So, even if the build date is 9 months ago, the car may have just arrived at that dealer.