Build Date vs. Compliance Date: What You Need to Know When Buying a Prestige Vehicle
When purchasing a prestige used vehicle, you may come across two key dates on the compliance plate: the build date and the compliance date. While these dates might seem similar, they represent different milestones in a vehicle’s life and can impact resale value, registration, and even insurance considerations.
At Tynan Prestige, we believe in transparency and educating our customers, so here’s everything you need to know about the build date vs. compliance date before making your luxury car purchase.
What is the Build Date?
The build date refers to when the vehicle was physically manufactured in the factory. This includes:
✔ When the body was assembled.
✔ When the engine, transmission, and interior were installed.
✔ When the car was completed and ready for shipping.
The build date can be important for determining:
🔹 Technology and features – Newer build dates may include small upgrades, even within the same model year.
🔹 Manufacturing batches – Sometimes, cars produced at different times within a model year may have minor differences.
🔹 Vehicle history – If you’re comparing different prestige models, a newer build date can indicate a more recent version.
What is the Compliance Date?
The compliance date is when the vehicle officially meets Australian regulations and receives its compliance plate. This happens after the car arrives in Australia and undergoes the necessary inspections.
✔ A compliance plate is fitted to the vehicle by the car’s importer or manufacturer and confirms that the vehicle complies with Australian design standards for safety and emissions.
✔ A compliance plate is usually found in the car’s engine bay, door pillar, or footwell.
✔ The compliance plate is attached once the vehicle is cleared for sale in Australia.
🔹 If a car is built overseas, it may take weeks or even months before it arrives and gets compliance approval.
🔹 The compliance date is what most registration and warranty periods are based on.
If You Can’t Find a Compliance Plate
Since July 2021, compliance plates are no longer required on new vehicles. Instead, compliance details are recorded electronically. You can check a vehicle’s compliance information at one of the Government’s Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) websites below:
Why Do These Dates Matter When Buying a Prestige Car?
When shopping for a luxury used vehicle, understanding these dates can help you make an informed decision. Here’s why:
1. Impact on Resale Value
In Australia, vehicles are often valued based on their compliance date rather than build date. If a car has a 2022 build date but a 2023 compliance date, it may be advertised as a 2023 model, which could enhance its resale value.
2. Warranty and Insurance Considerations
✔ Manufacturer warranties are often linked to the compliance date.
✔ Insurance companies may also classify the vehicle based on its compliance date.
3. Registration and First Ownership
The compliance date is what determines when a car is first registered and sold as new in Australia, so a car with a late compliance date may have lower mileage and less wear and tear.
Tynan Prestige: Helping You Make the Right Choice
At Tynan Prestige, we ensure that every luxury vehicle we sell is accurately represented, providing full transparency on both build and compliance dates. Our team, led by used car sales manager Luke Montgomery, is always here to guide you through the details and help you choose the perfect prestige car for your needs.
📍 Visit Tynan Prestige at 1 Kiora Road, Miranda 2228.
📞 Call us today to discuss our range of prestige used vehicles.
🚗 Explore our luxury selection online or book a test drive today.
At Tynan Prestige, we provide more than just luxury cars—we offer expertise, trust, and a family tradition of excellence since 1966.